Trending Topics

‘Get that truck coming Code 3': Audio released of response to shootings of Minn. lawmakers

EMS crews raced to treat Sen. John Hoffman and Rep. Melissa Hortman, as audio captured frantic calls for backup, hospital alerts and warnings of an active shooter still inside

By Paul Walsh
Star TribunE

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — Ambulance crews sent to the homes of state Sen. John Hoffman in Champlin and state Rep. Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park reported to dispatch the injuries to the two legislators and advised the hospitals.

The Minnesota Star Tribune has obtained audio of the dispatches, which capture the dramatic attempts to save them, and the ongoing threat to first responders, who at one point note that the shooter is still in Hortman’s home.


Melissa Hortman, a former House Speaker, and her spouse were shot and killed in their home; a second state lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, were shot multiple times

“I don’t have time explain it,” a medic radioed. “The shooter is still in the house. They believe barricaded with the firearm.”

“Standby on a possible GSW [gunshot wound]. Sounds like there might be two patients.”

“I need two, two ... rooms at Mercy [Hospital in Coon Rapids ].

“One female victim. 3 GSWs. Two to abdomen. One to arm. Can you notify Mercy of our patient, please?“

“Advise Mercy, we have an older male multiple gunshot wounds. … Two to the chest, one to the abdomen. … left elbow. He’s definitely got bleeding going on his stomach as well. He’s very [inaudible].”

“Code 3, Brooklyn Park on a shooting. To the area of [exact address] Windsor Terrace North.”

“Will advise to Code 4 [all clear]. Will advise on scene.”

“CPR has been started.”

“We are going to have at least two patients. Get that truck coming Code 3 [urgent]. If we can send another one to the area.”

“We are going to have one confirmed shooting [victim] right now, possible more. We’ll just take one more truck staging in the area.”

“Confirmed shot, in cardiac arrest. We will be taking that one. No more confirmed shot at this time. They want another rig to stand in the area. They don’t know where the shooter is.”

“A suspect is barricaded in the house.”

“Code 3 to North [ Memorial Health Hospital ] with two riders.”

“Be advised, they want you guys on standby. I don’t have time explain it … The shooter is still in the house. They believe barricaded with the firearm. Multiple different agencies are on-scene trying to locate if this individual on foot, if he shot anybody else around the home.”

“Another victim in the house, can you confirm another rig is needed?”

“Be advised, we have one DOA [dead on arrival].”

Trending
A department review found paramedics and EMTs followed recommended chest pain procedures in just 13.2% of cases
Chief Robert Perko says delayed 911 calls and lack of oversight among volunteer responders have led to communication breakdowns and risk to patient care
Clarks Fork Valley EMS provider Everett Edwards died after the ambulance he was driving was struck by a pickup truck and overturned
In partnership with UCHealth, Ute Pass Regional Health Service District joins a small group of EMS providers equipped to deliver prehospital blood transfusions

©2025 The Minnesota Star Tribune.
Visit startribune.com.
Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC