Phil murphy beefs up security for lawmakers after tim walz appointee goes on shooting spree in minnesota
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Phil Murphy beefs up security for lawmakers after Tim Walz appointee goes on shooting spree in Minnesota

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1 min read
June 18, 2025

TRENTON, N.J. — Governor Phil Murphy has directed state authorities to increase security for public officials across New Jersey following the fatal shooting of Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses over the weekend.

The move comes after a politically motivated shooting left former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark dead, and critically injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. The attack, reportedly carried out by a former appointee of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, has prompted national concern about the safety of elected officials.

“I am horrified by the targeted shooting of Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses this weekend,” Murphy said in a statement released Saturday. “This terrible act against two dedicated public officials is an attack on our democracy.”

Murphy referenced New Jersey’s own experience with political violence, citing the 2020 shooting at the home of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas that killed her 20-year-old son and wounded her husband.

While no specific or credible threats have been identified in New Jersey, Murphy said Attorney General Matthew Platkin has increased patrols statewide and stepped up protections for elected officials as a precaution.

Increased vigilance follows fatal political attack

“Although there is no known or credible threat in New Jersey, out of an abundance of caution, Attorney General Platkin has stepped up security for public officials and increased patrols statewide,” Murphy said.

The statement also expressed condolences for the victims in Minnesota. “Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of Melissa and Mark Hortman as they struggle with this loss, and we are praying for a full recovery for John and Yvette Hoffman,” Murphy added.

No additional details have been released regarding specific security enhancements or how long the heightened measures will remain in effect.

The Minnesota shooting suspect remains at large as law enforcement continues its investigation.

Governor Murphy’s security directive follows a deadly attack that underscored ongoing threats to U.S. public servants.

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

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