Minnesota Rep. Hortman and husband killed, Sen. Hoffman and wife wounded in politically motivated shootings, Gov. Walz says

Minnesota Rep. Hortman and husband killed, Sen. Hoffman and wife wounded in politically motivated shootings, Gov. Walz says

Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in politically motivated shootings overnight, Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday.

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Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in politically motivated shootings overnight, Gov. Tim Walz said Saturday.

Hortman, 55, and her husband Mark were shot in their Brooklyn Park home, while Hoffman, 60, and his wife Yvette were shot about 5 miles away in their Champlin home. Investigators say they believe the suspect was dressed in a manner to appear like a police officer.

Hortman, who leaves behind two children, represented Minnesota House District 34B, and Hoffman Minnesota Senate District 34. Both are members of the Democratic Party. Hoffman and his wife have one child.

At a Saturday morning press conference, Walz called the deaths of Hortman and her husband "a political assassination," and has ordered flags to fly at half staff in their honor.

MN BCA

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has identified the suspect in the shootings as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, who works for a security firm. Boelter was last seen Saturday morning in surveillance video captured by a Minneapolis business.

Boelter is described as a White man who stands 6 feet 1 inches tall, weighs about 220 lbs and has brown eyes and hair. He was wearing a light-colored cowboy hat; a dark-colored, long-sleeve collared shirt of coat; light pants and a dark bag.

Anyone with information on Boelter's whereabouts is asked to call the BCA's tipline at 877-996-6222, or send an email to bca.tips@state.mn.us.

MN BCA

A WCCO crew saw a vehicle believed to be Boelter's — with white and yellow lights on top of it and with a license plate that says "police" — towed away from the Hortmans' home. A number of things were also pulled out of the vehicle.

Law enforcement sources say there was an extensive list of possible targets among writings found inside the vehicle. More than 50 individuals were listed, including officials beyond Minnesota, abortion rights advocates and abortion facilities.

There were also fliers connected to the "No Kings" protests found inside. Organizers have since canceled events in Minnesota. WCCO reporter Jennifer Mayerle says hundreds were initially gathered in downtown St. Paul for the march, but the crowd has mostly dispersed outside the Capitol as of 3 p.m.

Authorities say the suspect was wearing a blue shirt with a black tactical vest underneath and blue pants.

BCA Superintendent Drew Evans says Champlin police first responded to Hoffman's home at about 2 a.m., with Brooklyn Park police assisting. Hoffman and his wife were each shot multiple times, authorities said.

"We are cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt," Walz said.

A Brooklyn Park police sergeant is said to have proactively decided to check on lawmakers in their city. When officers arrived at Hortman's home at about 3:35 a.m., Evans says they saw what appeared to be a police SUV with emergency lights on. The suspect then exited Hortman's home and exchanged gunfire with officers before fleeing on foot.

Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John HoffmanPhotos from Minnesota State Legislature

Shelter in place order in effect amid manhunt​

Authorities put a shelter-in-place order in effect for a three-mile radius around Brooklyn Park's Edinburgh Golf Course, but that search zone is now widening after Boelter was spotted in Minneapolis.

WCCO

Residents are advised that if police show up at your door, they will be officers in pairs, not alone. Do not answer the door unless there are two officers there. If there is just one officer, call 911 immediately. Authorities will know if any officers were sent to your residence.

President Trump: "Such horrific violence will not be tolerated"​

President Trump released this statement on Saturday morning following the shootings:

"I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!"

A source close to the governor's office tells WCCO Walz spoke with Vice President Vance on Saturday about the shootings.

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

Sen. Klobuchar: "An attack on everything we stand for as a democracy"​

Minnesota U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar released this statement Saturday morning:

"John and I are devastated and heartbroken by the horrific murders of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as the horrific attack on Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

Melissa Hortman was a good friend and we started in politics at the same time and I still remember the two of us going door to door in her first legislative campaign. She was a true public servant to the core, dedicating her life to serving Minnesotans with integrity and compassion. As Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, she led efforts to protect women's rights, invest in clean energy, and secure free school lunch for kids. She was beloved by her colleagues.

I want to thank the brave law enforcement officers who are working in real time to protect Minnesotans and ensure there is accountability for these horrific crimes.

Let me be absolutely clear: this was an act of targeted political violence, and it was an attack on everything we stand for as a democracy. We must all condemn it. And we must refuse to be a country where anyone is silenced by threats or violence.

To Melissa's and Mark's family, Melissa's colleagues in the Minnesota Legislature, and everyone mourning across our state: I grieve with you. And I will honor their legacy not just in words, but through action — by protecting our democracy, by standing up to hate, and by continuing the work they so passionately believed in."

​

Walz denounces political violence​

The governor released this statement late Saturday morning regarding the shootings:

"Today Minnesota lost a great leader, and I lost a friend. A formidable public servant and a fixture of the state Capitol, Melissa Hortman woke up every day determined to make our state a better place. She served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, and tirelessness.

Minnesota's thoughts are with her loved ones, and my prayers are with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were shot and wounded and are being treated. We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint. We have demonstrated again and again in our state that it is possible to peacefully disagree, that our state is strengthened by civil public debate.

We must stand united against all forms of violence – and I call on everyone to join me in that commitment. To the responding officers, thank you for your bravery and your swift action. A state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation is underway, and we will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice. We will not let fear win."

Legislators were alerted this morning and those in the metro area were told to take extra safety precautions. The executive director of the Minnesota Sheriff's Association, in a Facebook post, said that "an evil coward dressed as a protector, went to the homes of two Minnesota elected officials and shot them."

CBS News confirms members of the ATF and U.S. Marshals Service are now deployed to help state officials in responding to the shootings.

 

[herodotus]

I'm sorry, but pre Trump I don't remember all the political violence, war of southern aggression and the caining of Senator Sumner excepted.

 

[sukie]

Guy’s name is Vance Luther… he’s clearly a homicidal Libtard punishing democrats for failing to protect the environment.

 

[HipKat]

Guy’s name is Vance Luther… he’s clearly a homicidal Libtard punishing democrats for failing to protect the environment.

Oh yeah, he looks just like a libtard with that cowboy hat on

 

[sukie]

Oh yeah, he looks just like a libtard with that cowboy hat on

Definitely a tree hugger

 

[HipKat]

Photo of Vance Boelter being arrested