Bucks Co. Lawmakers React To Minnesota Shooting

BUCKS COUNTY, PA — Bucks County lawmakers and top law enforcement have expressed "shock and outrage" over the shootings of two legislators and their family members in Minnesota over the weekend.

The Bucks County Republican delegation of State Reps. Joe Hogan (R-Bucks), Kathleen “K.C.” Tomlinson (R-Bucks), Kristin Marcell (R-Bucks), Shelby Labs (R-Bucks), and Craig Staats (R-Bucks) issued statements after the targeted shooting of Minnesota lawmakers on Saturday.

Bucks County District Attorney Jennifer Schorn also released a statement after Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot in their home and Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and are fighting for their lives.

"I am disheartened to hear about the senseless attacks on Minnesota lawmakers. My thoughts and prayers are with the Hortman family as they grieve the loss of their loved ones and with the Hoffmans as they fight for their lives," Schorn said. "Taking human life or committing acts of violence in the name of politics must stop. We as a country need to send a message to radicals that this will never be tolerated and that we are better than this."

The investigation is ongoing, and the shooting suspect was taken into custody on Sunday.

"I am deeply thankful for the brave law enforcement officers for apprehending the suspect in the targeted shootings of Minnesota lawmakers on Saturday," State Sen. Frank Farry said. "During my time in office, I have seen a great change in politics. We have moved away from people working together instead people spend more time tearing others down. Words matter. The tragic loss of these individuals, regardless of party, hopefully gives people pause how they treat elected officials and one another."

“This was a targeted attack on public servants and their families,” Tomlinson said. “There is absolutely no place for this in a free society. My heart goes out to everyone impacted, and I pray for justice.”

Other Lower Bucks County legislators also made statements.

“The attack in Minnesota was a terrible tragedy that should have never happened,” Marcell said. “My deepest condolences to their families during this difficult time.”

“This kind of tragedy shakes all of us,” said Hogan. “We may come from different states and parties, but there’s a shared understanding that public service should never come with this kind of danger.”