The police chief describe how they confronted Rep. Melissa Hortman’s killer at her home.

The killer was in police uniform and had what looked exactly like a police vehicle.

Police Chief: “Good morning, Police Chief Mark Rulis, Brooklyn Park Police Department. The question is, how did we get to Representative Hortman’s house, and was it proactive or not? The circumstances unfolded in Brooklyn Park this morning, as we assisted the Champlin Police Department on a shooting. That shooting was made aware by one of our sergeants that it was at Senator Hoffman’s home. In hearing that, that very intuitive sergeant asked our officers to go check on Melissa Hortman’s home, a representative that lives in our community, just proactively as due diligence to swing by. That police officer and his partner pulled down the street. When they arrived at Melissa’s house, they noticed that there was a police vehicle in the driveway with the emergency lights on and what appeared to be a police officer at the door, coming out of the house. When our officers confronted them, the individual immediately fired upon the officers, who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home.”

Reporter: “Was this an actual police officer or a person impersonating a police officer?”

Police Chief: “Yes, the question is, was it a real person or a person impersonating a police officer? It was not a real police officer; this is somebody that clearly had been impersonating a police officer, again using the trust of this badge and this uniform to manipulate their way into the home.”

Reporter: “So Chief, it wasn’t just a uniform or a badge. The person not only was wearing a badge, was in a police officer vest, but they approached their victims in a car with lights and sirens?”

Police Chief: “Yes, the question is, what kind of vehicle and how were they dressed? They did drive a vehicle that looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with emergency lights that looked exactly like a police vehicle. And yes, they were wearing a vest with a Taser and other equipment, along with a badge very similar to mine, that no question, if they were in this room, you would assume that they are a police officer.”

Reporter: “Chief, for the events that lead to this, can you describe the moments after that played out? You said the person went into the home, and then can you help us understand the next 10-15 minutes of how we got to where we are now?”

Police Chief: “Yes, briefly, although I’m just going to remind us that this is an absolutely active investigation. We have thousands of people sheltered in place in the city of Brooklyn Park right now. We are in an extensive manhunt involving hundreds and hundreds of police officers and SWAT teams searching grid off areas, as we believe confidently the suspect had fled out the back of the house after being confronted by the police. Very briefly, after the officers had exchanged gunfire and the suspect retreated into Melissa’s home, they immediately went up to the threshold and looked in and saw a male down, clearly struck by gunfire. They made limited penetration, grabbed a hold of the male, and drug him out to safety to attempt first aid. However, he was pronounced dead shortly after that. At that point, the officers surrounded the house, got additional resources and SWAT resources, and then ultimately, went in with a drone, identifying a female in the home.”