Murphy, Platkin vow security for officials after Minnesota attacks
By: Katie Sobko
NorthJersey.com
USA Today Network - New Jersey
..... In the wake of the June 14 [2025] fatal shooting of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband, security measures to protect New Jersey public officials have been increased, state officials said.
.....
Governor Phil Murphy confirmed in a June 16 [2025] statement that these measures were being taken "out of an abundance of caution" and that there are no "known or credible" threats in New Jersey.
..... State Attention General Matt Platkin echoed that and said "we will remain vigilant in protecting public safety and our public officials."
..... Platkin also said he condemns the shootings in the "strongest terms."
..... "Political violence is an attack on our democracy," he said. "Impersonating law enforcement to carry it out is sickening."
..... The governor said he was "horrified by the targeted shooting of Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses," which "sent shock-waves throughout our nation."
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Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, were shot and killed in thier home in Chaplin in the early morning hours of June 14. [2025]
..... Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot multiple times in a separate incident at their home, also on June 14. [2025]
..... U.S. Senator Amy Klobucher, of Minnesota, shared a statement on social media on June 15 [2025] from Yvette Hoffman, in which Hoffman said she was shot eight times and her husband snuffed nine gunshot wounds.
..... The statement said they were "both incredibly lucky to be alive" and that her husband was "enduring many surgeries' and is "closer every hour to bring out of the woods."
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"This terrible act against two dedicated public officials is an attack on our democracy," Murphy said. "Their is no place for political violence in the United States, and we must all work together to ensure our political differences are settled through debate, not bloodshed."
..... He compared the incident to the murder of denial Salas, son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, at their family home in 2020.
..... That attack inspired Daniel's Law, which prohibited the public disclosure of the home addresses of judges, prosecutors, law enforcement officers and other public officials.
..... Katie Sobko covers the New Jersey Statehouse. Email: sobko@northjersey.com