Authorities to Discuss Security In and Around the Minnesota State Capitol Complex

(KNSI) — The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, including the Minnesota State Patrol, and local law enforcement will discuss security at and around the Minnesota State Capitol complex this afternoon.

The State Patrol began discussing the importance of hiring a firm for an independent security review following the June 14th murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman and the shootings of John and Yvette Hoffman. A security breach Friday night led to the discovery of a naked man in the Senate chamber who had returned twice before finally being arrested.

Lawmakers, including House Speaker Lisa Demuth of Cold Spring, expressed outrage over what happened and demanded answers as to how he got in and why it took three detainments before he was taken into custody.

The Minnesota State Patrol will be hiring a third-party expert to conduct a full security assessment. The assessment is in addition to measures already taken to improve security at the Capitol complex in collaboration with local law enforcement partners.

Minnesota is one of a handful of states that does not require additional security screening, such as metal detectors, before entering the complex.

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