Authorities are currently investigating a shocking series of targeted shootings in Minnesota, which have resulted in the death of one state lawmaker and her husband, as well as serious injuries to another lawmaker and his wife. The tragic events unfolded early Saturday morning, and Governor Tim Walz described the attacks as “politically motivated,” highlighting the severity and disturbing nature of the incident.
The victims included State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, John, who were fatally shot at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Meanwhile, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in a separate shooting at their home in Champlin, a suburb near Minneapolis.
According to police reports, the suspect was dressed as a police officer during the attacks, which added a dangerous layer of deception and mistrust to the case. The investigation revealed that two Brooklyn Park police officers approached Hortman’s home after the initial shooting was reported at Hoffman’s residence.
Upon arrival, the officers encountered a vehicle that looked identical to a police squad car, complete with emergency lights, and saw a man wearing a police vest and carrying equipment such as a Taser and badge. The suspect apparently knocked on the door before opening fire on the officers.
A brief exchange of gunfire followed, after which the suspect retreated into the home. Police then entered the house and found John Hortman shot and tried to administer first aid, but unfortunately, he was pronounced dead at the scene. Melissa Hortman was later found dead inside the home during a drone search.
Investigators identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, who has been linked to the shootings. Records show that Boelter served on a Minnesota state board alongside Senator Hoffman for over six years, though authorities are still looking into the exact nature of his relationship with both Hoffman and Hortman.
Boelter was last seen early Saturday wearing a cowboy hat and changing his clothes at a business in Minneapolis, leading law enforcement to believe he is trying to flee the Twin Cities area. Authorities have described him as a white man with brown hair, wearing a blue shirt, blue pants, and a black tactical vest at the time of the shootings. Doorbell camera footage confirmed the suspect’s presence at one of the victims’ homes.
Boelter has a background in security, being employed by a security firm where he is listed as the director of security patrols. His wife is the president and CEO of the same company. Additionally, Boelter was reportedly involved in projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo and had expressed a desire to return to the U.S. food industry. In an online video, he mentioned working at Minnesota funeral homes to support himself financially while managing his overseas projects.
During the search of Boelter’s vehicle, police found a document naming over 50 potential targets, including several officials beyond Minnesota, as well as abortion rights advocates and abortion facilities. This discovery raises serious concerns about the scope and motivation behind the attacks.
Also found were “No Kings” flyers, which are related to planned anti-Trump protests across the country. These flyers reference a nationwide protest movement, and in the wake of the shootings, Minnesota canceled the planned “No Kings” events due to safety concerns.
Minnesota law enforcement agencies, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, are leading the investigation with support from multiple federal agencies such as the FBI, ATF, and U.S. Marshals. Several individuals have been detained and questioned as “people of interest,” but no arrest has been made yet.
A shelter-in-place order was initially issued for a three-mile radius around the suburb of Brooklyn Park but was lifted later in the day after authorities believed the suspect had left the area. Meanwhile, security for other elected officials and potential targets has been increased.
Boelter’s connection to Minnesota’s political world extends back several years. He was first appointed to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board in 2016 by then-Governor Mark Dayton and was reappointed in 2019 by Governor Walz, serving until January 2023. During this time, Senator Hoffman was also a member of the same board.
This board advises the governor and legislature on workforce development policies and is composed of members appointed by both the governor and legislative leaders. While investigators have confirmed that Boelter and Hoffman attended some of the same public meetings, they have yet to determine if they had a personal relationship.
Melissa Hortman, aged 55, was a prominent figure in Minnesota politics. She represented House District 34B and was the top House Democratic leader, as well as a former House Speaker. A trained lawyer, she was first elected in 2004 and was known for her dedication, compassion, and tirelessness in serving the people of Minnesota.
Hortman and her husband had two children. Governor Walz described her death and that of her husband as a “political assassination,” mourning the loss of both a “great leader” and a personal friend. Her passing has left a significant void in the state legislature, which was evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans before the shootings.
Senator John Hoffman, 60, has served Minnesota’s Senate District 34 since 2012 and was reelected three times. He chaired the Human Services Committee and was a member of committees focused on energy, the environment, and health services. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were both shot multiple times but have undergone surgery and are now receiving medical care. The Hoffmans have a daughter, and many have expressed their prayers and support for their recovery.
The incident has elicited widespread condemnation from political leaders and the public alike. Governor Walz emphasized that Americans must never resort to violence or intimidation to settle political differences, especially in a state legislature as closely divided as Minnesota’s.
He praised the officers who responded quickly and bravely to the shootings and pledged that all resources would be used to bring the perpetrator to justice. President Trump, after being briefed on the incident, assured that the FBI and the Department of Justice would prosecute those responsible “to the fullest extent of the law.” He also expressed solidarity with the people of Minnesota.
Minnesota’s congressional delegation, including Senator Amy Klobuchar and Representative Tom Emmer, issued a joint statement condemning the attack, expressing grief, and calling for unity against politically motivated violence. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced increased security measures for Minnesota senators and requested a full briefing on the situation upon their return to Washington. Schumer stressed the need to confront the radicalization and toxic forces that fuel such violence.
The shooting also drew reactions from national figures who have firsthand experience with political violence. Former Representative Gabby Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt in 2011, expressed horror and heartbreak over the Minnesota shootings. She called the attacks an assault on American democracy and urged leaders to speak out strongly against violent extremism that threatens the country’s core values.
U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson condemned the violence unequivocally, emphasizing that such horrific acts have no place in American society. He called on every leader to condemn political violence and work toward preventing its spread.
In conclusion, the targeted shootings of Minnesota lawmakers have deeply shaken the state and the nation.
With one lawmaker and her husband dead, another lawmaker and his wife injured, and a suspect still at large, the case highlights the dangers of political extremism and violence in contemporary America. Authorities continue to search for Vance Luther Boelter, who remains armed and dangerous, while communities, officials, and citizens come together to mourn the losses and reaffirm their commitment to democracy, dialogue, and safety.
