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Manhunt Underway After Two MN State Lawmakers Shot; New Round Of Israeli Strikes Target Several Iranian Provinces. Aired 11a-12p ET

Aired June 14, 2025 - 11:00   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

[11:00:01]

CHIEF MARK BRULEY, BROOKLYN PARK, MINNESOTA POLICE: I'm sorry, one at a time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)

BRULEY: We do know that he did, but I'm going to hold that back as part of the investigation right now.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) detain someone for information for that matter?

BRULEY: This is a very large-scale search, so we have detained several people and questioned them, but we do not have anybody in custody at this time.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) identify the person publicly, but have you privately identified the suspect?

BRULEY: We have people of interest that we are looking for.

MICHELLE GRIFFITH, AUTHOR, MINNESOTA REFORMER: Michelle Griffith, Minnesota Reformer. Other than that, these are two Democratic lawmakers. Is there anything else to suggest that this is politically motivated?

Again, I'm going to hold back most of the information. This is part of the investigation to complete it. This is rapidly evolving. It just occurred a few hours ago, and we're trying to sort it out. We have partners from the FBI, the BCA, the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, and almost every suburban agency in our community helping us with this.

So, it's very complex, and we're working on it. But I will tell you, when we did a search of the vehicle, there wasn't a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state who took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary. And that's about -- I'll stop there.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE) we're going to take one more question.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Sure. With the BCA, can I ask just -- you used the word targeted, and that's kind of along the lines of Michelle's question in terms of politics, Democrats, and Republicans. These are both Democratic lawmakers. You said the word targeted. So, targeted because they're politicians, or targeted because they're Democratic politicians?

DREW EVANS, SUPERINTENDENT, MINNESOTA BUREAU OF CRIMINAL APPREHENSION: Well, so, the question is, were they targeted? And when I use the term, why am I using the term? As Chief Bruley noted, there was a list of individuals, and the individuals that were targeted in this situation were on that list. And so, when we're looking at that, as Chief Bruley said, it's far too early in the investigation to be able to provide information.

But I do think we'll be in a position where we'll be able to develop the motivation behind these attacks, and we'll be able to provide more information as this unfolds. And so, that's part of the reason we're using it, is I think there's some preliminary information that is telling us kind of where this is headed. But we need a lot more work done by all the teams that are here working on that to be able to provide that with you with a degree of accuracy.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: (INAUDIBLE)

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Thanks. Thank you.

EVANS: Quite a few.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're good. Thank you.

Yes, hold on. Colonel, do you want to talk about the rally at the Capitol?

COL. CHRISTINA BOGOJEVIC, STATE PATROL: Good morning, Colonel Bogojevic with the State Patrol. We are aware of the demonstrations across Minnesota, including the Capitol and across the nation. We will work with our state partners and our local partners to provide security and safety for those that attend.

UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: Christine Miller (ph) (INAUDIBLE). Can you confirm that you will have a sniper stationed at the Capitol?

BOGOJEVIC: The question was, will we have a sniper at the Capitol. We don't discuss our security plans on the Capitol grounds.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Colonel, thank you.

OK, thank you very much, everybody, for being here. We will -- I think you do have, and if you haven't, let me know, but we do have a place where you can send inquiries for your interview requests, information requests. We have our state emergency operations center set up. If you need information on how to make those requests and make sure that we see them --

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: Hello, everyone. I'm Fredricka Whitfield in Atlanta. As we are now covering what one person there in that press conference described as a very dark day in Minnesota and a dark day for democracy.

The shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers in their homes. They were shot along with their spouses in their homes. And now a manhunt is underway. They do say, according to police there, that they have persons of interest, but a suspect has not been named. They are looking for this suspect who they believe is on the run.

State Senator John Hoffman of Champlin and his wife were shot multiple times in the home. They are in surgery and continue to recover. We don't know the status of them at the hospital. However, State Representative Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park, along with her husband, were shot and killed at their home.

This press conference just underway. A very unsettling series of events that have taken place. The suspect believed to have been impersonating a police officer with an actual badge on their person, as well as protective gear knocking on the door.

And so now officials are saying everyone in that area are to be under a shelter-in-place position. If an officer, a singular officer, or someone who appears to be an officer knocks on the door, do not answer it, call 911. We heard from officials there that as police continue to go door-to-door, they are operating in pairs. But of course, people's apprehension is completely understandable based on the circumstances and the events that have ensued.

[11:05:00]

Let's talk now more with Law Enforcement Analyst Jonathan Wackrow. Jonathan, I mean, this is so unsettling on so many levels. But with this manhunt underway and this shelter-in-place instruction that people in this area are receiving, what do you take from what you heard from the press conference, the information that has been gleaned, the information that is still a mystery?

JONATHAN WACKROW, CNN LAW ENFORCEMENT ANALYST: Well, Fred, good morning. And, you know, it is a tragic morning. And this situation just really signals a very chilling escalation in the domestic threat environment. What we're talking about here and what we heard from during this press conference is that, you know, we're facing a targeted act of political violence using the cover of law enforcement, mind you, in the form of impersonation, which, again, further erodes the trust within communities.

And this attack is really rooted around grievance and extremism. And it's just this intertwined in a real-world attack. And I just want to, like, make something known right now. This is not some sort of online narrative. This is a real and deadly act that's unfolding in real time within our communities. I know that there's been a lot of political narrative, you know, recently in this rise of political, you know, aggressiveness online.

But when we transcend from, you know, online narratives and attacks to physical attacks, you know, it is about as bad as it gets. And as you said in your intro, it is a very bad day. And public safety officials, as we heard, are reacting very quickly to try to bring this to a resolution and get this suspect in custody.

But right now, it is a very deadly situation in those communities where you have this suspect that continues to remain at large. You know, now we know that there's a manifesto, and they had a list of individuals that they wanted to assassinate. So, again, this is a very tense situation for that community.

It's a very dynamic situation for law enforcement, and there's a lot of things going on at the same time, as we heard from various officials during that press conference, to bring this situation to a successful resolution.

WHITFIELD: And what questions do you have for those who are family members of lawmakers in that vicinity? All of them, of course, bracing, you know, and concerned about whether they are the next targets or they were on that manifesto. Or even neighbors and members of the community who now have a level of apprehension. They're afraid of law enforcement, because obviously this person who impersonated, you know, had a very convincing demeanor and equipment on him.

WACKROW: Yes, no, so there's, again, as I said, there's multiple things going on at the same time. I'll take your first question, which is, you know, those individuals who fear that they could be targeted have to go with the assumption that they are being targeted, right? So, their own personal safety, and this is what law enforcement said, they're quickly going out to everybody that is on that list to bolster the personal safety and security around them and their families.

Because, again, we saw what happened, we saw that, you know, two locations were attacked, the political officials and their families were also attacked. So, right now, everyone should be on edge taking the appropriate level of personal protection to -- you know, for themselves.

As far as the law enforcement actions, really this -- you know, using impersonation as a tactic to launch this assassination attack really undermines legitimacy of law enforcement, and it really, you know, challenges the law enforcement entities that are responding right now in what is a deadly manhunt that will require the public's assistance to bring this to a successful resolution.

But when you think about somebody who mimicked the actions of law enforcement by the vehicle that they used, by the presence that they conveyed in the moment, really sets up a very, you know -- sets up an operational complexity for law enforcement right now, and how are they going to, you know, bolster the public's trust in their operation when there's a fear that, you know, someone is out there impersonating them and launching these deadly attacks?

WHITFIELD: And then, Jonathan, you know, talk to me about the tools that might be utilized. When we talk about, and we've had you on for a variety of things, especially when it takes place in a public setting. But now we're talking about a residential community, and perhaps the cameras that law enforcement would rely upon in city settings, commercial settings, is different in this residential. But, of course, a lot of homes have cameras these days. So talk to me about the kind of equipment, the apparatus that might be used in this kind of circumstance.

WACKROW: Well, what you're talking about right now is a surge of all law enforcement within the region, both federal, state, and local working together. We heard that the Minnesota State Emergency Operations Center has been activated in this manhunt. And really the focus right now is the containment of the suspect in the search for them.

[11:10:06]

And what I'm hearing from this press conference, it sounds like they may have a direction on who this suspect may be or the person of interest may be that they're looking for. And how do they get to that? Well, it's using investigative tools. We have two distinct crime scenes right now.

Items of evidentiary value may have been found at those locations, including, you know, shell casings or anything else that, you know, that may be giving law enforcement some sort of direction as to who this individual is or the direction of the suspect went to. So right now they are conducting, you know, an area-wide containment process.

And, you know, we heard that there's a widespread shelter-in-place orders that are being put into place. And those -- all of those actions are going to be combined with rapid deployment teams, K-9 units, air assets, everything. Again, this is a surge of law enforcement to bring this to a successful resolution to ensure that there's no other horrific acts, you know, conducted.

WHITFIELD: Right. All right, Jonathan, we're also joined by National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem. Also, we've got Betsy Klein, who is there at the White House for us. So, Betsy, let's go to you first about the reaction from the White House on a day that it had been touting, was excited about, celebrating the 250th anniversary birthday of the U.S. Army, coinciding with the president's birthday, with the parade there in Washington, D.C. What is the reaction now?

BETSY KLEIN, CNN SENIOR WHITE HOUSE PRODUCER: Well, we've been asking the White House for their reaction to this really horrific and tragic event. We have heard from FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino, who said in a post to social media just moments ago, quote, "The FBI is fully engraged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners."

Of course, what we know right now is that State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband are dead. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife underwent surgery and are alive. Governor Tim Walz says that this appears to be a politically motivated assassination.

Of course, the suspect is at large, but we have asked the White House for their reaction to this very rapidly developing story. We will get back to you as soon as we have it.

WHITFIELD: All right, Betsy Klein, bring us -- bring that to us as soon as you can. Thank you so much.

All right, I believe now we have Juliette Kayyem with us. Juliette, you heard me talking to Jonathan Wackrow there who was talking about --

JULIETTE KAYYEM, CNN SENIOR NATIONAL SECURITY ANALYST: Yes.

WHITFIELD: -- looking at physical evidence that may have been left at these two crime scenes now. Shell casings among them. Sometimes the shell casings can act like a fingerprint if you will. What might they be able to extrapolate from that to help them get closer to this suspect?

KAYYEM: So, I mean they may be able to extrapolate not only what kind of gun, but specifically which gun and we'll determine that. I actually think that the car is going to be the better piece of evidence. I don't jaw drop often in these. We do this too many times.

When the police officer disclosed that there was a police car in the driveway that was clearly mimicking a real police car, excuse me, that there was a car in the driveway clearly mimicking a police car, including with lights, including in the same make, model and color. This kind of premeditation is, as I said, just like it is a -- it's a shock to the system even for those of us who are --

WHITFIELD: And he said, and the badge. He said the badge similar to mine.

KAYYEM: And the badge, and the badge. The -- look, I mean I hate to say it, but guns are not that hard to get but the car and the badge as you say, that that is a premeditation and that's going to -- and that's why it's appropriate to call this targeted and maybe even appropriate to call it an assassination.

So I think that the car is going to give a lot of evidence because chances are, you know, fingerprints, the car is going to be registered, someone's going to know who owned it. So I do think that that, however disturbing is that there was a car, that is going to help sort of tie and focus this investigation.

What we still don't know, there's a -- there was in that press conference, there was just a lot of really interesting aspects to it in terms of what people might be experiencing in Minnesota even before these shootings. As the governor said, deeply split state legislature. These are people who worked across the aisle. This is a young leader and I do think about young people going into politics for her husband.

I, like everyone else, probably thought about do they have kids and how old are the kids and where were the kids in the house when this was happening early in the morning. And so the fear is real. I mean, in fact, shock. And so the shelter in place has to be abided by.

Important that the police officer said, if anyone -- if a police officer approaches you at this stage, they will only -- if they're legitimate, they will be in groups of two. That's a signal to the population that they are very worried that this person is going to do this event.

[11:15:10]

I always hope that these man hunts end quickly. It seems like they do have a lot of evidence and then you get to the real motive here, which is, is it Democrats writ large? Is this a hunt, so to speak, as we've been talking about? Is there something about what they did, legislation, sitting on a committee, a harmed constituent that would make the police worried about the -- about that pool? Or is there potentially a third explanation?

But it's totally appropriate to focus on the politics of this in terms of both their party affiliation and whatever issues they were dealing with, just given we don't see this, we just don't. And as I said, you know, this is a -- this experience seems common now. It shouldn't be, but also the details of this one shows a level of discipline, professionalism, premeditation that has -- should make many people nervous, especially in the political space.

WHITFIELD: Jonathan Wackrow is also still with us. And Juliette, just as you underscore, this crime was clearly premeditated with the squad car, with the badge, with the impersonation of a police officer, and it almost seems, as well Jonathan, that what was planned is invoking a fear and a level of intimidation that continues even after the crime has been carried out because now there is an apprehension of everyone who lives in that community, anyone who is a lawmaker, et cetera, is going to second guess whether the police officer, any member of law enforcement they see, is the real deal, whether to, you know, trust that person.

So, Juliette, you mentioned the word professionalism, that this is a kind of crime, you know, that has been carried out with a type of professionalism. So, Jonathan, do you believe this is the hallmark of someone who acts alone, or is this a possible network that helped plan and then carry out, even though there was one suspect that we know of right now that investigators are looking for?

WACKROW: Yes, no. Listen, I think right now what, you know, law enforcement leaders, they are not taking anything for chance, right? So they have to have all options on the table as they start to look at this. Right now, as you had laid out, you know, there is a significant challenge that law enforcement has going out into the community and really, you know, having that verification that they are the real law enforcement, mindful that there is this ongoing deadly attack that's out there.

So, you have to look at it from both internal to the department and external. It all comes down to the verification and identity of genuine law enforcement officers. So now they're going to be operating under strict -- you know, much stricter internal, you know, credentialing checks, you know, throughout their own department in heightened internal verification to ensure that they're not mistakenly confronting a potential impersonator.

You know, as Juliette had mentioned and we heard from the press conference, the level of detail with the patrol car, the uniform, the badge, the presence of the impersonation of authority, that is really dangerous. And while the public could be, you know, drawn into believing that the suspect is a genuine officer, other officers could believe that they, you know, that individual could be a genuine officer.

That is an internal threat right now to the department. Now, the good thing is, law enforcement has control measures for that. They know how to essentially amplify their own credentialing and access control processes in these critical moments so that it doesn't happen. But again, everything is on the table for law enforcement leadership right now at the federal, state, and local level to ensure that, you know, their own controls don't worsen the situation.

WHITFIELD: Right. So, Juliette, not only is there investigation, but even internally within all of these law enforcement organizations, there's a scrutiny taking place. Because obviously, I mean, you mentioned the vehicle, you talk about the apparatus. These items could have been stolen, right? Isn't that a potential there? And now it's going back to see what kind of record there may be of items that have been missing that now corroborate with the tools that this suspect had?

KAYYEM: Yes. Yes, I mean, that is a possibility, but look, replicating these badges is not that difficult anymore. I mean, they're online. You can even have a printer do them at this stage. So that's not going to be the hardest piece.

[11:20:00]

I think though, I will say, law enforcement will be scrubbing to determine was anything lost or was there a former employee or someone who tried to be a police officer and wasn't allowed to be. That's going to be in your pool as well.

But, obviously, also in the pool is going to be, did anyone express particular focus on these two legislators, related to either their party affiliation, the perpetrator's party affiliation. In other words, has someone been known to law enforcement to be radicalized and going against Democrats, as well as, constituency.

So they are going to be scrubbing the constituency in terms of who's been emailing, who's been maybe potentially threatening. It's clear the police, in turning to the home, knew that there is an atmosphere there, as there is throughout the country of trying to protect legislators. So that's where the investigation is going to go, the bigger picture.

Of course, we've heard from deputy director of the FBI. The FBI operational assets are clear. We are waiting to hear from the White House about this. But, again, this is not -- this is both political and needs to be apolitical in its response. It is the easiest thing for political leaders to come out right now and agree to the basics of our democracy.

And that's an important message to send right now. We have rallies all throughout The United States happening today. We have a military and march going on on the day of Donald Trump's birthday that's going to have protesters, and you have the militarization of the National Guard and the marines in California. The temperatures are high.

And so I thought Governor Walz's statement was important, and we need more of them, given the circumstances today as we determine, is the motive against a political party, is the motive in support of something. In other words, someone who likes a certain issue that these politicians do not like.

Is this someone who's been radicalized by a larger group and has an affiliation with a larger anti-Democrats group or anti-issue group. That's going to be your pool right now. And then the fourth, and I have to say this every time, is there something particular about these legislators, committee legislation, whatever, that we just have to consider even though, you're as -- an investigator, you're going to want to look at the bigger picture here.

WHITFIELD: Again, if you are just now joining us, two Minnesota lawmakers shot at their homes. State representative Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park, along with her husband, were shot and killed at their homes, and they are dead, and they were dead on the scene.

State Senator John Hoffman in Champlin, along with, his spouse are being treated for injuries. They too shot in their home. They have already gone through some surgeries. We're still awaiting the update there.

Juliette Kayyem, Jonathan Wackrow, thanks to both of you. Stick around. I know we're going to be consulting you again.

We'll have much more as we continue this breaking news out of Minnesota where police say a lawmaker, her husband, killed in a politically motivated shooting. And now, an entire community there has been urged to shelter in place.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:28:24]

WHITFIELD: All right, welcome back to our breaking news. Out of Minnesota, a massive manhunt is underway for a suspect at this hour after officials say two state lawmakers and their spouses were targeted in overnight shootings in their homes near Minneapolis. One of them, State Representative Melissa Hortman, who was a longtime Minnesota House speaker, was killed, and so was her husband.

State Senator John Hoffman and his wife also shot at their home. They remain in the hospital and just got out of surgery. Both lawmakers are members of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has activated the state Emergency Operations Center and he gave an update just a short time ago.

(BEGIN VIDEOCLIP)

TIM WALZ (D), MINNESOTA GOVERNOR: This was an act of targeted political violence. Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint. In the state of Minnesota and as recently as last week in the most closely divided state legislature in the country, we sat down, we worked things out, we debated, we shook hands and compromised, and we served the state of Minnesota together.

We proved that it's possible even in these politically charged times to find compromise and adhere to the principles of democracy and civil discourse. We must all, Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence.

[11:30:01]

At this precipice moment we're on, this tragic act here in Minnesota should serve as a reminder to all of us, the democracy and the debates in the halls of Congress, in state houses, in school boards, is a way to settle our differences peacefully and move society to a better place.

(END VIDEOCLIP)

WHITFIELD: The police chief for Brooklyn Park, Minnesota says the suspect, who was dressed like a police officer, escaped after a shootout with law enforcement outside one of the homes. The chief says the suspect's vehicle had a manifesto, identifying many lawmakers and officials. The FBI is assisting in this investigation.

Back with us now, CNN Law Enforcement Analyst Jonathan Wackrow and CNN Senior National Security Analyst Juliette Kayyem. To both of you, I mean this is so unsettling and so disturbing for many folks who are just now joining us.

The circumstances that we understand, according to that press conference, is that both homes separately, just within miles of one another, the two lawmakers got knocked on the door by this person who looked very official, like an officer, as one -- as the police chief described, wearing a badge like his, with a squad car that was similar, you know, to the police district there.

We don't know, however, the circumstances, Juliette, as to was it a knock on the door, they answered the door, you know, something happened. Those things we don't know. What are some of the things that the public, the general public, might need to know further to not just protect themselves but also be on the lookout, given this suspect had a very convincing demeanor?

KAYYEM: Yes, and that is key right now, because the blurring of law enforcement trying to find someone who, you know, targeted killing against a senior politician, the merging of that with someone on the run who was convincing enough to get into the home and be able to perpetrate these crimes and murders, is a scary mix right now. So here's what we know and what the public needs to do.

I mean, one is, of course, the shelter in place is still in place, and that is true. Don't violate it. Don't be cute. Don't say that you have something else to do. There is a reason for this, because limited public safety resources have to be focused on this manhunt so that the community can come back to normal.

The second is, as we heard in the press conference, everyone who is legitimate law enforcement is now acting in twos or more. So if you see law enforcement, if you are a legislator or Democratic legislature, and someone approaches as a one, because they think it's only one suspect at this stage, as a single individual, that person is not authorized. And so -- and you essentially are in danger. That's how scary this is for people.

Third is, see something, say something. It works. We're going to -- there is crowdsourcing going on. This individual had a car. That car looked like a police car. That person either stole or borrowed or owns that car and souped it up to look like a police car. That's a lot of people who may know something about that and might identify the car.

The person also clearly had a manifesto, had been thinking, talking, maybe sharing, either in person or online. The reason for their specific motivation against these two individuals, and then, of course, if there were any other, was it party affiliation, which is obviously your biggest worry right now? Was it subject matter in terms of were they proponents of something that this person didn't like? Or was this just a disgruntled constituent?

Those are all relevant. But what we do know is we're living in a time in which violence is a part of political disagreement. And what Governor Walz said is right. We need not just governors, but the president and the White House to say that as well.

The violence as the extension of our democratic differences is a red line that we've crossed. And how we return is essential in the weeks, months, years ahead to be able to protect not just individuals, but protect our democracy. This is different today, and it's worth saying again and again.

WHITFIELD: Yes. Our Betsy Klein is at the White House. She's among many who continue to ask the question of the response coming from the White House. Thus far, no clarity on a statement, official statement coming from the White House so far. But of course, when that happens, we'll bring it to you.

I want to thank you so much, Juliette Kayyem and Jonathan Wackrow. Don't go far. We'll be calling upon you again as we continue to follow this investigation into the horrific shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers, the deaths now of one of those lawmakers, State Representative Melissa Hortman, as you see right there, along with her husband at their home in what is now being described as a politically motivated, targeted shooting.

Thank you so much, Juliette and Jonathan.

[11:35:27]

All right, other breaking news we're following right now. Daylight revealing the extent of the damage after Israel and Iran exchanged waves of deadly missile and drone attacks overnight.

CNN Chief International Correspondent Clarissa Ward is in Tehran at the site of one of the attacks. Clarissa, tell us what you're seeing.

CLARISSA WARD, CNN CHIEF INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: First of all, Fredricka, I should say, I'm not in Tehran. I'm about 15 minutes outside of Tel Aviv in a place called Rishon LeZion, which is one of the impact sites where an Iranian missile hit last night. And if you look behind me, you can see the scale of the destruction of the impact of that missile.

Now, according to authorities here, two people were killed, a man and a woman. The Israeli police also put out a photograph earlier that appeared to show a baby being rescued from the rubble. Rescue workers were here all night long trying to get people out. There are a number of injuries.

Some of them were people who were trapped inside. Some of them were people who were wounded by the debris. And if we just pan over here and if you look at the street and the cars in particular all along this street and many of the houses, too, you can see the extent of the damage that the blast, that that impact caused.

And, you know, it's worth underscoring for people who live under Israel's bombs, whether they be in Gaza or Lebanon or Syria, they're used to seeing this kind of devastation. But for Israelis, they are not used to seeing devastation or damage on this scale in terms of firepower. And there's a lot of anxiety here about what happens next, this continuing, escalating conflict.

A lot of people have gathered here. If we pan around this way, you can see they're coming, Fredricka, to take a look because, as I said, this is something unusual. This is something unprecedented. Even further down, you can see people at the sort of cordon area craning their necks to get a look.

Now, Israel has said that it's slightly changed its alarm system now that basically people will get the first alert on their phone. They've got 15 to 30 minutes to try to identify a shelter nearby. Then they will get another one about 10 minutes out. And then when they hear the sirens, they've got about 90 seconds to take cover.

So fewer people out on the streets today. Understandably, it is also Shabbat. So it can be a little bit difficult to gauge what that's about. But people we've spoken to certainly feeling anxious about further tit for tat between Israel and Iran tonight as this entire region really stands on a knife edge, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right, Clarissa Ward, not in Tehran, Iran, but in Israel. Thank you so much for showing us the destruction there in that community. We'll check back with you. Appreciate it.

We'll have much more of a continuing coverage of the conflict there between Israel and Iran, as well as now the breaking news of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses shot in their homes. We'll be right back.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

[11:43:19]

WHITFIELD: All right, we're back with our top breaking news story out of Minnesota, a manhunt is underway for a shooter who targeted two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses overnight. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is calling the overnight shootings a politically motivated assassination.

Former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords of Arizona just posted this photo of her with Melissa Hortman. She writes, "I'm devastated to learn that my friend, Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were killed in last night's shooting."

Giffords herself survived an assassination attempt in 2011.

Let's go now to CNN's Betsy Klein at the White House, where we've been awaiting a statement, a response coming from the Trump administration following the news of this shooting. Betsy, what are you hearing?

KLEIN: Well, we have learned that President Trump has indeed been briefed on this really tragic and horrific situation. He said in a statement just moments ago, quote, "I've been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers. Our Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are investigating the situation and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law."

He goes on to say, "Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place."

Attorney General Pamela Bondi also says that she is closely monitoring the developments as they progress. Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino also said that the FBI is fully engaged. The president is here in Washington this weekend where he is preparing to attend the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army at a parade later this evening.

[11:45:05]

We saw Vice President JD Vance, Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, as well as Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller arriving at the White House within the last hour or so. But all of this comes at a moment when temperatures are so very high. There's so much political tension across the country.

We are seeing protests of the president's policies, including his decision to send the National Guard and active duty Marines to the Los Angeles area over his mass deportation policy related protests. The president himself has gone after Minnesota Governor Tim Walz twice this week and most recently on Thursday before this incident called him a disaster. He also took aim at him earlier this week at an event in Fort Bragg.

But here is what we know. We know that State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband are dead. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot and underwent surgery. Governor Tim Walz says this appears to be a politically motivated assassination. The suspect was impersonating a law enforcement officer and is believed to still be at large and on foot. The White House watching all of this quite closely.

WHITFIELD: All right, Betsy Klein, thanks so much. Let us know when you hear more.

All right, let's get to CNN's Veronica Miracle. Veronica, what more are you learning about the direction of this investigation?

VERONICA MIRACLE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, really, the Brooklyn Park community is on edge right now. These shootings happened within about a 5 mile radius of each other. And so the entire community currently is on lockdown. But what is so troubling about this investigation as we know is the suspect was impersonating a police officer.

And even one of the individuals in the press conference said that if that suspect was standing in that room, people wouldn't be able to distinguish the suspect from the other police officers because of what he was wearing. Showed up in a squad car with lights. And so very clearly knew what this -- what they were doing in terms of impersonating a police officer.

And so because of this, the police department is telling people to not answer the door if a single police officer comes to the door. They are now moving in pairs. And so they'll be going to people's houses in pairs. But of course, you can understand the apprehension of anybody wanting to open that door, even to two police officers, knowing what happened overnight to both of the state senators.

There is an extensive manhunt underway at the moment, and they are searching every corner of this entire community to find that suspect and apprehend them. Back to you.

WHITFIELD: All right, Veronica Miracle, keep us posted. Thank you so much.

We'll have much more on the breaking news. The assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband at their home and then separately a shooting just miles away of another Minnesota lawmaker and his wife. They remain in the hospital following a variety of surgeries.

We'll have much more on all of this right after this quick break.

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[11:52:45]

WHITFIELD: All right, welcome back. We'll continue to follow breaking news out of Minnesota where the search is underway right now for a suspect in the overnight shootings of two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses at their homes. One of the lawmakers, State Representative Melissa Hortman, who was a longtime Minnesota House speaker, was killed and so was her husband. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot at their homes. They are in the hospital and just out of surgery will be able to get updates hopefully soon. Both lawmakers are members of the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor Party.

Joining me right now is CNN Law Enforcement Analyst Jonathan Wackrow. He's been with us all morning long after news of this. Welcome back, Jonathan.

So, you know, there is always, right, an intensity for any investigation of a targeted shooting. But now, you know, we're talking about political -- politically motivated targets in these lawmakers. Talk to me about the urgency or, you know, the leveling up of the urgency of this investigation, along with looking for any additional physical evidence and further extrapolating this manifesto that was found.

WACKROW: Yes, Fred, this is -- you know, this situation really is broader than just targeted political violence. This is an all-out public safety crisis. And the reason being is if you think about the way that these attacks were initiated by the suspect, by impersonating a police officer, that is an elevated level of tactic that is -- that was used.

And really, when you think about that impersonation of a member of police, it's really a force multiplier in the attack. And the reason being is that for the victims, it lowers the defenses and delays any type of suspicion, you know, of a potential threat.

And I think that when we look at this and I just was reading back the press conference that what stuck out to me was the timing of these attacks so early in the morning, 2:00 a.m. and, you know, 3:00 a.m., to me, it signals this deliberate effort to catch the victims off guard and then using the cover of law enforcement, you know, as this likely ruse to, you know, get into the residence.

[11:55:05]

Again, if you have someone knocking on your door at 2 a.m., you are going to have your suspicions raised very quickly. But if you think it's a trusted member of law enforcement and you're a political leader, then you are more willing to open that door and potentially invite the person into your home. So, again, just think about the level of tactics that are engaged here.

Now, couple that when the suspect was confronted by law enforcement, he willfully engaged in, you know, shooting at law enforcement officers that were responding. To me, this is a real elevation and it signals a lot of things that this suspect is, you know, willing to engage in armed confrontation.

So not that they wanted to try to escape. They are willing to confront law enforcement in the tactics that law enforcement now has to put forth because of that are going to change. You're going to see again between federal, state and local officials. You're going to see elevated levels of tactical teams responding in units to any type of, you know, awareness of where the suspect may be. So this is a very tense situation for law enforcement, but the community at large as this individual remains not in custody at this time.

WHITFIELD: And these days, it's relatively commonplace for residences to have cameras recording devices. How helpful might that be, whether it be at the home of these lawmakers or even neighbors, various, you know, perspectives of this vehicle, his approach to the house, entry of the home, what may have been said, et cetera?

WACKROW: Yes, I mean, you know, investigators have a lot of tools at their disposal. A lot of digital identification and video, you know, items of evidentiary value that they can use. What they're going to look at is they're going to try to go back in time from the first shooting.

Now they know the description of this vehicle. They're going to try to go back in, you know, canvass the area to see where there are video -- where there is video evidence of this vehicle being before the event, before the first attack. They're going to try to set up a pattern of behavior and they're going to try to see was this person working independent or in conjunction with others.

Again, this is a significant public safety threat right now, so they're going to use every tool at their disposal and every resource from the federal government, state and local entities combined in a unified manner to bring the suspect to justice.

WHITFIELD: All right, Jonathan Wackrow, thanks so much for being back with us. We'll call upon you again soon. Thank you.

All right, much more on this breaking news. The assassination of a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband at their homes and then separately at another residence, the shooting of another lawmaker and his wife. They remain in the hospital. More after this.

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