Minnesota Congresswoman and Her Husband Killed: Attack Was Politically Motivated

Early in the morning of June 14, in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and wounded, while Senator John Hoffman and his wife were wounded. The suspect is still at large, according to CBS News.

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Hortman, 55, and her husband, Mark, 58, were shot to death at their Brooklyn Park home. Hoffman, 60, and his wife, Yvette, were shot at their cottage about 7 miles away. Investigators believe the suspect was dressed as a police officer.

The Hortmans died of multiple gunshot wounds, with Melissa pronounced dead at the scene and her husband dead at North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office.

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At a press conference on June 14, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation Chief Drew Evans said Senator Hoffman had undergone surgery and was in stable condition, but his injuries were serious. There was no information on his wife's condition.

Rep. Hortman, who is survived by two children, was a member of the Democratic Party and represented District 34B in the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Hoffman, also a Democrat, represents Minnesota's 34th Senate District. He and his wife have a daughter, whom one relative says Yvette shielded from the shooter.

Governor Tim Walz called the Hortmans' deaths a "political assassination" and ordered flags flown at half-staff in their honor.

The Bureau has identified the suspect.

Evans named the suspect in the attacks as Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who was last seen on surveillance video from a Minneapolis business the morning of the murders.

Boelter is described as a white male, about 185 feet tall, weighing about 100 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark long-sleeved shirt or collared jacket, light-colored pants, and a dark bag. Authorities believe he changed clothes after the shooting.

Anyone with information on the suspect's whereabouts is asked to call 911, the BCA hotline at 877-996-6222 or email [email protected]Boelter is considered armed and dangerous. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50 for information leading to his capture and conviction.

Evans believes the suspect will attempt to flee the area.

Chronology of events according to the police

Champlin patrol officers were the first to arrive at the Hoffmans' home around 2 a.m., Evans said, with Brooklyn Park police officers joining in later. They found the couple suffering from multiple gunshot wounds at the scene.

A Brooklyn Park police sergeant took the initiative to check the homes of other lawmakers in the city. When officers arrived at the Hortmans' home around 3:35 a.m., they saw what looked like a police SUV with its hazard lights on.

The suspect (at the time wearing a blue shirt with a black tactical vest underneath and blue pants) exited the Hortmans' home and exchanged gunfire with police before fleeing out the back door.

A WCCO crew saw a car believed to be Boelter's being towed away, with white and yellow lights on top and a license plate that read "police."

Various items were recovered from the car. Authorities said they found a list of more than 50 potential targets, including officials outside Minnesota, abortion rights activists and abortion providers.

In addition, leaflets related to the No Kings protests were found in the car, among other things.

"We will not tolerate such terrible violence"

On Saturday, June 14, numerous state and federal leaders, including President Trump, made statements regarding the shooting:

"I have been informed of a horrific shooting in Minnesota that appears to have been a targeted attack on state legislators. Our Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are investigating this matter and will prosecute all those involved to the fullest extent of the law. This type of horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America."

A source close to the governor's office said Walz spoke with Vice President Vance on June 14 about the incident.

"The governor expressed appreciation for the ongoing collaboration between federal law enforcement and Minnesota public safety officials," the source said.

“Melissa was a good friend of mine, and we started our political careers together,” said Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar. “I still remember the two of us going door-to-door during her first campaign. She was a true public servant who dedicated her life to serving people with integrity and compassion. As speaker of the Minnesota House, she fought for women’s rights, clean energy, and free school lunches for kids. She was well-liked by her colleagues.

I want to be absolutely clear: this was targeted political violence, an attack on everything that our democracy represents. We must all condemn this. We cannot allow anyone in our country to be silenced by threats or violence."

“We must stand united against violence of any kind — and I urge everyone to share that commitment,” Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said. “We will spare no resources to bring those responsible to justice. We will not let fear win.”

According to CBS News, the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) and the U.S. Marshals Service have joined the investigation.

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Former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who survived an assassination attempt in 2011 in which a gunman killed six people and wounded 12, including her, said she was "shocked and heartbroken" by what happened.

“My family and I know all too well the horror of targeted shootings,” said Giffords, who is married to Sen. Mark Kelly of Arizona. “An attack on lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must stand up and condemn the fueling of violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”

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