Tragedy struck Minnesota over the weekend as targeted shootings at the homes of two state lawmakers left one dead and another seriously injured. Speaker Emerita of the Minnesota House, Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark Hortman, were shot and killed Saturday morning at their residence in Brooklyn Park.
In a separate but seemingly related incident, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were also shot multiple times at their home in Champlin. Governor Tim Walz characterized the attacks, particularly the killing of the Hortmans, as a “politically motivated assassination.”
Senator Hoffman and his wife underwent surgery and, according to the governor, there is “cautious optimism” regarding their recovery. A relative reported they were each shot five or six times.
Incident Details and Suspect Manhunt
Authorities are actively searching for a suspect in connection with both shootings. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old man, as the individual sought in the case.
According to BCA Superintendent Drew Evans, police first responded to the shooting at Senator Hoffman’s Champlin home around 2:00 a.m. A call reporting a similar attack at the Hortman residence in Brooklyn Park came in at 3:35 a.m. Police were proactively checking on Speaker Emerita Hortman due to the proximity of the two lawmakers’ homes.
Upon arrival at the Hortman home, officers encountered the suspect, who authorities say was impersonating a police officer, complete with a badge, uniform, and a vehicle resembling a police car. The suspect fired upon the arriving officers. An exchange of gunfire occurred, but the gunman managed to escape on foot after police recovered his vehicle.
An extensive manhunt involving the FBI, SWAT teams, and hundreds of local and state police officers is underway for Boelter in the Brooklyn Park area. A shelter-in-place order was issued for a three-mile radius around the Edinburgh USA golf course as the search continued. Authorities have cautioned residents to be vigilant and advised against opening their doors for a single police officer, suggesting residents confirm credentials or look for two officers present. While Champlin police stated there was “no indication of an ongoing threat to the public,” security measures remain heightened.
Leaders React to Senseless Violence
Governor Walz expressed profound grief over the loss of Speaker Emerita Hortman, calling her a “great leader” and a “dearest of friends.” He praised her service to Minnesota since 2004, including her tenure as House Speaker from 2019 to 2025.
“She was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota,” Walz said. “She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place. She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many.” The governor condemned political violence emphatically, stating, “We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint.” He activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the crisis.
GOP Representative Lisa Demuth, who succeeded Hortman as House Speaker, also condemned the attack. “I am horrified by the evil attack that took place overnight, and heartbroken beyond words by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark,” Demuth said, asking Minnesotans to pray for the victims and law enforcement.
Bob Jacobson, the state’s commissioner of public safety, echoed the sentiment of targeted political violence, noting the disturbing nature of the suspect exploiting the trust placed in law enforcement uniforms. DFL party chair Richard Carlbom remembered Hortman as “tireless, devoted,” showing “warmth and kindness” alongside a “fierce commitment to improving the lives” of Minnesotans.
Remembering Speaker Emerita Hortman’s Legacy
Melissa Hortman, 55, was an attorney and a fixture in Minnesota politics, serving in the House since 2004. She represented District 34B, covering parts of Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids, and Champlin. Tributes highlighted her dedication and significant legislative achievements. U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar noted Hortman’s work on protecting women’s rights, investing in clean energy, securing free school lunch, and advocating for policing reform, including successfully helping pass a state ban on police chokeholds. Melissa and Mark Hortman are survived by their two children.
Senator John Hoffman, 60, represents Senate District 34 and was first elected in 2012. He chairs the Human Services Committee. He and his wife Yvette reside in Champlin and have one child.
Heightened Security and Ongoing Investigation
In the wake of the attacks, sources indicate that other Minnesota state lawmakers have been placed under protective custody, with increased security measures, including marked police vehicles outside homes, coordinated by the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement. Some elected officials also received safety alerts.
The severity of the incident has drawn federal resources. The FBI and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) have confirmed their involvement in the ongoing investigation.
The shock of the attacks has also impacted public gatherings, with at least one planned demonstration, a “No Kings Rally” in St. Cloud, being postponed specifically in light of the assassination of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband.
This remains a developing story as the manhunt continues.
