In a disturbing act of political violence, Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were fatally shot early Saturday in their Brooklyn Park home. At the same time, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were critically wounded in a separate but related attack in Champlin. Authorities have identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, who remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.
The shootings, described by Governor Tim Walz as a “political assassination,” have sparked nationwide condemnation and prompted a high-level law enforcement response involving local agencies, the FBI, U.S. Marshals, and the ATF. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), both incidents occurred in the early morning hours. Champlin police first responded to the Hoffmans’ residence around 2 a.m. to find both victims with multiple gunshot wounds. Senator Hoffman underwent surgery and remains in serious but stable condition. His wife’s condition is unknown.
About 90 minutes later, Brooklyn Park police discovered the aftermath at the Hortman residence after a patrol officer proactively checked in on area lawmakers. Officers observed what appeared to be a police SUV parked outside. A man dressed to resemble law enforcement emerged from the home and exchanged gunfire with officers before fleeing on foot. Rep. Hortman, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene, while her husband, 58, died shortly after at a nearby hospital.
Boelter is believed to have impersonated a police officer to gain access to both homes. His vehicle, recovered from the Hortman residence, bore markings and lights to mimic a police cruiser. Inside the vehicle, investigators found literature linked to the anti-government “No Kings” movement and a list of more than 50 apparent targets, including lawmakers, abortion rights advocates, and health facilities across state lines. As a result, protests planned by the “No Kings” movement in Minnesota have been canceled.
Federal authorities are urgently seeking Boelter’s whereabouts. Surveillance footage from Saturday morning captured his last known location in Minneapolis. Officials believe he may have changed clothing and is attempting to leave the region. TSA has been alerted, and a $50,000 reward is being offered by the FBI for information leading to his capture.
The shootings have drawn strong reactions from political leaders across the spectrum. Governor Walz called the violence an attack not just on individuals but on democracy itself. “We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint,” he said. Flags across the state have been ordered to fly at half-staff. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a friend of Hortman’s, called her a dedicated public servant who led with integrity and compassion. Klobuchar vowed to continue Hortman’s legacy by protecting democratic institutions and denouncing extremist threats.
Former U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords, who survived a 2011 assassination attempt, also condemned the attack. “An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself,” she stated, drawing on her own experience with politically-motivated violence.
Hortman was a key Democratic leader in the Minnesota House, known for championing clean energy, abortion rights, and access to education. She is survived by her two children. Senator Hoffman, also a Democrat, has served Minnesota’s 34th Senate District and is widely respected for his bipartisan work.
As the investigation continues, law enforcement has urged all public officials to take heightened precautions. Community members remain on edge, and gatherings across the metro area have been disrupted. The shootings have ignited a broader conversation about political extremism, the safety of elected officials, and the need for vigilance in the face of rising threats.
Authorities are asking anyone with information about Boelter’s location to contact 911, the BCA tip line at 877-996-6222, or email bca.tips@state.mn.us. The urgency of the manhunt underscores the gravity of an event that has shaken Minnesota and the nation to its core.
