The Texas state capitol was evacuated on Saturday after the state’s Department of Public Safety warned of a “credible threat” against legislators who planned to attend anti-Trump protests in the state.
The Texas Department of Public Safety said in a statement that they “identified a credible threat against state lawmakers planning to attend a protest later today” and evacuated the Capitol and Capitol grounds “out of an abundance of caution.”
“DPS will collaborate with all local, state and federal law enforcement partners to ensure the safety of our citizens and state property, as well as to protect individuals exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and free speech,” the statement reads.
The statement came hours after Minnesota Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and state representative Melissa Hortman were both targeted in what Governor Tim Walz (D) called a “politically-motivated” attack.
Hortman and her husband, Mark, were both killed. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, are in stable condition after being treated for gunshot wounds.
The suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, remains at large.
Following the shooting, Minnesota police warned the public to stay away from ‘No Kings’ protests in the state.
“Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution,” police said in a statement.
