BROOKLYN PARK, MINNESOTA — North Dakota state Rep. Liz Conmy of Fargo was killed Saturday when a small plane crashed shortly after taking off from Crystal Airport north of Minneapolis. The pilot was also killed in the crash, which involved two people aboard the aircraft.

Officers responded to a report of a small airplane crash at 11:51 a.m. and found an aircraft that had crashed and caught fire in a park in the city of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, shortly after takeoff. The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, which involved a Beech F33A airplane, and expects investigators to arrive at the scene soon.

Conmy, a Democratic member of the North Dakota House of Representatives, was elected to the chamber in 2022 and was running for reelection. She had four children.

North Dakota Gov. Kelly Armstrong offered condolences Saturday to Conmy's family, friends and fellow legislators, and directed all U.S. and North Dakota flags to be flown at half-staff on the day of Conmy's interment. "Liz served her state and community with care and compassion, from her service in the Legislature and on the state's Human Trafficking Commission to her work on education, habitat and immigration." Armstrong said.

North Dakota House Minority Leader Zac Ista remembered Conmy in a statement. "She lived life to its fullest, never shying from adventure or speaking her mind — often in refreshingly direct terms." Ista said. "As a lawmaker, she championed public education, the environment and transparency."

The North Dakota Democratic–Nonpartisan League Party said in a statement: "We are completely heartbroken and gutted by the loss of Representative Liz Conmy. Her death is a profound loss for our state."