On Saturday, two Minnesota lawmakers were attacked in their homes, leading to a tragic turn of events. Governor Tim Walz described the incidents as a "politically motivated assassination" attempt. One lawmaker, Melissa Hortman, was killed, while State Senator John Hoffman was seriously injured but survived.
The suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, was arrested after a massive manhunt. He has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. Authorities found him in a wooded area after a two-day search, marking one of the largest manhunts in Minnesota’s history.
The violence unfolded early Saturday morning in Brooklyn Park and Champlin. Police received reports of gunfire around 2:00 AM at Hoffman’s residence. Shortly after, they were called to Hortman’s home, where they discovered an emergency vehicle with flashing lights. A man dressed like a police officer emerged, opened fire on responding officers, and then fled into the house.
Hortman, who had a long career in the Minnesota House of Representatives and served as its speaker, was shot and killed alongside her husband, Mark. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were injured but managed to survive after undergoing surgery. Yvette later expressed gratitude for their survival, noting they were hit by a total of 17 bullets. She also conveyed her deep sorrow over the loss of her colleagues.
Boelter, 57, had a past connection to politics, having served on a state workforce development board with Hoffman. Investigators found a list of 70 potential targets in his vehicle, including several prominent Democratic politicians and locations associated with Planned Parenthood. However, authorities have not disclosed a clear motive for his actions.
After his arrest, Boelter was reportedly armed, but details about the weapons have not been released. He had previously sent a troubling message to friends indicating he might not return home. The police confirmed that he acted alone and condemned his impersonation of a police officer during the attacks.
This shocking incident has drawn widespread condemnation. President Donald Trump stated that such violence is unacceptable, while Senator Amy Klobuchar called it an attack on democracy itself. Governor Walz urged for a return to civility in political discourse, emphasizing that this kind of violence should never be the norm.