Minnesota lawmaker, wife murdered, other pol, wife shot

Post Reply New Topic

A manhunt is underway after a US politician and her husband were shot and killed in their home in a "politically motivated assassination" - and another politician and his wife were also shot.

Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed at their homes, Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, confirmed.

State senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot in their home but are expected to survive.

The suspect was reportedly posing as a police officer, and officials said the alleged attacker escaped after an exchange of gunfire.

Both politicians are members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.

President Trump, in a statement, said: "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."

Authorities have urged residents of the Champlin and Brooklyn Park areas to stay in their homes.

In an earlier Facebook post, Mr Walz said: "I've been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park.

However, it is clear that both Ms Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said.

Ms Hortman, a mother of two, was first elected in 2004 - and was the top house Democratic leader in the state legislature. She also served as speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.

Mr Hoffman, also a Democrat, was first elected in 2012 - and ran a consulting firm called Hoffman Strategic Advisors.

Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader, has described the shootings as "deeply disturbing" on X, adding that "violence is never acceptable", and that he is "praying hard" for the victims.

The home invader who shot two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses early Saturday — killing a top Democrat and her husband — wrote a “manifesto” containing the names of other elected officials.

Police found the document identifying “many lawmakers and elected officials” in an SUV decked out to look like a law enforcement squad, after confronting the suspect in a shootout outside DFL House Speaker Melissa Hortman’s home, said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley on Saturday. Investigators have alerted those who appeared on the list and are providing security where necessary, he said.

Police are searching for “people of interest,” said Bruley, but have not arrested any suspects in the shocking attacks at the homes of the two Minnesota lawmakers, igniting a manhunt and shelter-in-place order in Brooklyn Park, and a frenzy of panic and rumors as large-scale political protests against the Trump administration were planned for Saturday.

The unidentified suspect, dressed as a police officer, shot Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife at their Champlin home each “multiple times” early Saturday, Gov. Tim Walz announced in a solemn news conference.

As officers proactively went to check on Hortman, the 55-year-old top Democrat House leader who lived in a neighboring suburb, they encountered a suspect, who escaped after a gunfight with the officers, according to law enforcement officials.

Hoffman and his wife are out of surgery and still alive; Hortman and her husband are dead, Walz said.

“When our officers confronted him, he immediately fired at officers and retreated back into the home,” Bruley said of the encounter outside Hortman’s home.

Bruley described a convincing police disguise being worn by the suspect, including a Taser, badge and black body armor and driving a vehicle outfitted with emergency lights.

“No question that if they were in this room you would assume that they are a police officer,” said Bruley.

The shootings are under investigation from local, state and federal law enforcement. Police have detained and questioned some people, but made no arrests, Bruley said as of Saturday morning.
Bruley asked residents to stay inside and call dispatch if a person claiming to be a police officer shows up to their homes.

Officers in Brooklyn Park and partnering investigators have been advised only to approach people in pairs, he said, “so if there’s only one officer outside the door, do not answer the door and call 911.”

The suspected gunman has been identified as Vance Boelter, according to three people familiar with the investigation, and officials say he impersonated law enforcement wearing a vest, blue long-sleeve shirt, and what looked like a badge to gain access to the legislators’ homes. Investigators towed an SUV allegedly belonging to the suspect that either looks like or is a police vehicle — equipped with flashing lights, ramming bumper, spotlight and more.

State Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and his wife, Yvette, were severely injured, Walz said. They remain hospitalized and their conditions were not immediately available.

Saturday's shootings came on the same day as sweeping rallies were planned nationwide, including in Minnesota, in opposition to Trump and organized under the slogan “No Kings.” In the evening, a major parade is also being held in Washington, D.C., in honor of the Army’s 250th birthday, coinciding with Trump’s 79th birthday.

The “No Kings” event in northeast Minnesota was canceled, and Minnesota State Patrol asked people to stay away from public demonstrations while a suspect is on the loose.

Fliers were found inside the suspect’s vehicle with the writing, “No Kings,” police said in a photo shared on X, though it is unclear if there is any connection to the protests.

“Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution,” the state patrol said.

Minnesota Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed early Saturday morning in an act of "targeted political violence," Governor Tim Walz said during a press conference Saturday.

Earlier this week, Hortman provided the sole Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party vote on HF1, a bill amending the state's MinnesotaCare coverage eligibility.

The bill, which passed the House on June 12, enforces citizenship requirements to obtain the state's Medicaid program coverage, stripping adult undocumented immigrants of publicly funded health care.

Hortman provided the sole Democratic vote in Minnesota's lower chamber to pass a Republican bill that would strip adult undocumented migrants of state-funded healthcare. The bill passed the House in a 68-65 vote, with Hortman's vote helping Republicans secure its passage, which left Hortman in tears.

What they're saying: "At this time, we would ask the public if you do locate him or see him, call 911," Evans said. "Do not approach him. You should consider him armed and dangerous."

Anyone with information about Boelter or his whereabouts can contact investigators at 877-996-6222 or [email protected].

Details: Boelter, who is 6'2" and roughly 220 lbs, was spotted in Minneapolis this morning wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark-colored long-sleeved collared shirt and light pants, Evans said.

Authorities, who have already obtained video of Boelter at multiple Twin Cities locations, believe he is "working to flee the area," Evans said.

He said they do not know if additional people were involved in the attack.

Zoom in A LinkedIn page and online bio that appeared to be associated with Boelter said he has worked in private security, including in overseas engagements, per multiple reports.

He described himself as married with five children and claimed to work in the funeral home and food supply industries, according to a video post cited by the Star Tribune.

Boelter was appointed by both Walz and former Gov. Mark Dayton to a state Workforce Development Board that has several dozen members, according to multiple reports. Hoffman served on that board during an overlapping period, though Evans said it was unclear if the two knew one another.

Public records show he had a residence in Green Isle, about 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis. Friends and roommates told the Star Tribune and other outlets that he spent one to two nights a week at a rented room in Minneapolis to be closer to work.

One of those roommates, David Carlson, told the New York Times that Boelter, whom he described as a lifetime friend, had experienced mental health and financial challenges.

Carlson told multiple news outlets that he received a text from Boelter Saturday morning that said, "I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly."

Zoom out: Investigators discovered what they've called a "manifesto" that also listed other Democratic lawmakers in an SUV that the shooter abandoned at Hortman's home after exchanging fire with law enforcement who arrived at the scene.

An official who saw the list told Axios it included prominent individuals who support abortion rights in Minnesota.
Evans said it's "premature" to say what the shooter's motivations were based on the writings.

Members of Congress went into this weekend with their nerves already severely frayed. The shooting of two lawmakers in Minnesota on Saturday has sent those tensions over the edge.

Why it matters: In discussions with Axios on Saturday, lawmakers in both parties described growing unease on Capitol Hill about the country's increasingly volatile political atmosphere — and what it means for their security.

Zoom in: One senior House Democrat, speaking on the condition of anonymity to describe sensitive internal discussions, said text chains between members were "on fire" Saturday morning after the news of the shootings broke.

Lawmakers "are scared," the senior Democrat said, and want "addresses hidden and security updates. They won't be silenced."

A second House Democrat said there is "heavy demand" for members to have their own personal security details.

A House Republican told Axios they responded to the news by immediately raising the issue of members' security with House leadership.

What they're saying: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) said he asked the House sergeant-at-arms and Capitol Police to "ensure the safety of our Minnesota delegation and Members of Congress across the country."

"Our country is on edge like never before," he said in a statement.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) said in a statement he asked the Capitol Police to "immediately increase security" for Sens. Amy Klobuchar (D-Minn.) and Tina Smith (D-Minn.).

House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) said in a post on X: "Such horrific political violence has no place in our society, and every leader must unequivocally condemn it."

A Capitol Police spokesperson told Axios they are "aware of the violence targeting state lawmakers in Minnesota" and "have been working with our federal, state and local partners," but declined to offer further details.

What we're hearing: "People are definitely at a heightened attention," a third House Democrat told Axios of their colleagues' states of mind following the shooting.

A second House Republican who spoke to Axios said it is "important to wait and not jump to conclusions" until there is more information on the shooter's motive.

However, they added, "if it ends up being politically motivated, [in my opinion] ALL Republicans need to come out swinging against political violence."

Between the lines: The shootings come just days after Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) was held on the ground and handcuffed after attempting to confront Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem during a press conference in Los Angeles.

The incident sent shockwaves through Congress, with one House Democrat even berating a Republican colleague on the floor to "grow a pair of balls" and urge their colleagues denounce the incident.

Padilla brief detention came on the heels of Rep. LaMonica McIver (D-N.J.) being indicted over a scuffle with DHS officers and an aide to Rep. Jerry Nadler (D-N.Y.) being briefly handcuffed.

Zoom out: While tensions have risen in recent months, members of Congress are no strangers to violence or threats of violence.

A House member who has served in Congress for a decade will have seen colleagues, spouses and aides shot, hit in the head with a hammer, assaulted and carjacked at gunpoint.

Threats against members of Congress have risen drastically since President Trump's first term began in 2017.

What's next: House GOP leadership was scheduled to have a virtual briefing on the shooting and member security at 4pm ET on Saturday, according to one of the House Republicans who spoke to Axios.

Jeffries will host a Zoom briefing next Tuesday afternoon, in which House Administration Committee ranking member Joe Morelle (D-N.Y.), Sergeant-at-Arms William McFarland and the Capitol Police will brief House Democrats, according to invites viewed by Axios.

Schumer said he asked the Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Jennifer Hemingway and Majority Leader John Thune (R-S.D.) to "convene a full briefing immediately when we return D.C. on member security."

I knew this would happen. Violent right wing nutjobs in action, emboldened by Trump and MAGA.

'The face of evil': Shooting suspect captured
Suspect Vance Boelter is in custody after a manhunt that lasted more than a day, law enforcement said tonight.

"The face of evil. After relentless and determined police work, the killer is now in custody," the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office said on Facebook.

Sen. Hoffman out of surgery and recovering, Gov. Walz says
Sen. John Hoffman is out of his final operation and is moving toward recovery, Walz said at an evening news conference after the suspect was arrested.

His wife, Yvette, is healing, Walz said.

Walz also noted the "heroic actions" from the Hoffman family, specifically the couple's daughter, Hope, who Walz said "saved countless lives."

Yvette shielded her daughter from the bullets, NBC affiliate KARE of Minneapolis reported. Hope was unharmed, and a criminal complaint indicated that and unnamed person had called 911 to report that someone in a mask had shot their parents.

People from multiple states were on list linked to suspect
Boelter, on a list of targets linked to him, had names of people from multiple states, including Minnesota, Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska and Iowa, Evans said at the news conference.

Evans stressed the list was not exhaustive, and he did not give more specifics. He said his unit is in contact with local law enforcement and the FBI in those states to notify those who are on the list.

Officials detail suspect's capture
After the suspect's Buick and hat were found about 3 miles from his Green Isle, Minnesota, home Sunday morning, as many as 200 law enforcement personnel descended on the area as he eluded them for more than 10 hours, authorities said.

It wasn't clear whether Boelter was even in the area on the eastern edge of Sibley County, they said earlier Sunday evening. But on Sunday night, law enforcement got a tip of a sighting and descended on the location in the county and quickly found and took him into custody, authorities working on the case said at Sunday night's news conference.

A police officer had reported seeing someone running into woods, Evans said, and law enforcement officers, SWAT teams and a state helicopter located him, called out for his surrender and captured him after he crawled toward them in a field Sunday night, Evans said.

Searchers were challenged by the terrain, he said, but never let up.

Officials detail suspect's capture, continued
“This is in a rural area,” Evans said. “It’s streams, fields, woods, crops.”

Boelter was arrested peacefully and taken to an undisclosed facility where he was being interviewed by detectives, Evans said.

Boelter was armed, Evans said, but authorities were not saying exactly with what as the investigation into a possible motive was ongoing.

Suspect ditched vehicle after shootout with police, helping lead to capture, official says
Police officers were performing a check at Rep. Melissa Hortman’s home when they found her and her husband shot dead, bullet holes in their front door, Evans of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said at a news conference.

During the check, officers came upon the suspect, which forced him to leave his vehicle behind as he fled and ultimately facilitated his eventual capture, Evans said. Authorities had said officers checking on Hortman's home after the shooting at Hoffman's home exchanged gunfire with a suspect.

"If that had not happened, I have every confidence that this would have continued throughout the day," Evans said Sunday night.

Federal charges filed against suspect
Multiple federal charges were filed against Boelter, including two counts of stalking and two counts of murder.

The charges are:

Count 1: Stalking state Rep. Melissa Hortman using interstate commerce

Count 2: Stalking state Sen. John Hoffman using interstate commerce

Count 3: Murder of Melissa Hortman with a firearm

Count 4: Murder of Mark Hortman with a firearm

Count 5: Firearms offense in the shooting of Melissa and Mark Hortman

Count 6: Firearms offense in the shooting of John and Yvette Hoffman

When asked if they will seek the death penalty, Thompson said, “It’s too early to tell, that is one of the options for several of the charges.”

Suspect went to the homes of 4 Minnesota state politicians
Boelter went to the homes of four Minnesota state politicians with the intent to kill them, officials said. After the shooting at the Hoffmans' home, he allegedly traveled to the home of another state representative in Maple Grove.

Video showed that he rang the doorbell at 2:24 a.m. Friday, but the representative and her family were on vacation and not home.

“So Boelter left,” said Joseph Thompson, acting U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota.

Boelter then drove to the New Hope home of a state senator, Thompson said. An officer was dispatched to the home to conduct a wellness check. The officer saw Boelter’s vehicle parked up the street but thought he was a police officer who had also been dispatched to the scene, according to Thompson.

Thompson said Boelter left and went to the Brooklyn Park home of lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman.

Officials say it's not clear if suspect returned fire at police
Brooklyn Park police dispatched to check on lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, saw Boelter standing in front of the house.

“He rushed into the house through the front door, firing into it,” said Joseph Thompson, acting U.S. attorney for the district of Minnesota. “He repeatedly fired into the house and when he entered, he murdered Rep. Hortman and her husband, Mark.”

The suspect escaped the home out the back door, he said.

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in Minnesota, said it's not clear if "gunfire was returned at the officer or not."

Names of more than 45 state and federal officials listed in suspect's notebook
Notebooks found in the suspect's car contained the names of more than 45 state and federal elected officials, said Joseph Thompson, acting U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota.

“Boelter planned his attack carefully," he said. "He researched his victims and their families. He used the internet and other tools to find their addresses and names, the names of the family members. He conducted surveillance of their homes and took notes of the location of their homes.”

Officials believe he had been planning the attacks “for quite some time.”

’You’re not a cop!' Sen. Hoffman and his wife shouted before the shooting
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joseph Thompson said Vance Boelter arrived at the Champlin home of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, in a black SUV with emergency lights turned on and a license plate that read "police. "

Boelter was allegedly disguised as a police officer and dressed in a black tactical best and body armor. Thompson said he was carrying a flashlight and a handgun and wearing a "hyper realistic" silicone mask.

Boelter allegedly knocked on the Hoffmans' door and repeatedly shouted that he was the police. When the Hoffmans opened the door, Boelter allegedly shined the flashlight in their faces and said that a shooting had been reported.

The couple realized he was not an officer when he lowered the flashlight.

"They shouted, "You’re not a cop! You’re not a police officer!” Thompson said. "Boelter then announced 'this is a robbery' and forced himself into their home.”

Thompson said the senator tried to push Boelter out of the home. Boelter is accused of repeatedly shooting the senator and his wife before fleeing.

"Sen. Hoffman had a security camera. I’ve seen the footage from that camera, and it is chilling," Thompson said.

Dad went to war last night,’ suspect allegedly texted family
Boelter allegedly sent a group text to his wife and other family members that said, “Dad went to war last night…. I don’t wanna implicate anybody,” according to a criminal affidavit.

He also allegedly sent a text to his wife that said, “words are not gonna explain how sorry I am for the situation… there’s gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy and I don’t want you guys around.”

A search of the wife’s car found two handguns, passports for her and her children and $10,000 in cash, the affidavit states.

The rightwing is now trying to pin this guy as a leftwing agent.

If the rightwing doesn't soon admit they're creating monsters like this and take a huge step back from the edge, I fear what may happen.

Such things require self awareness which a lot of self centered people in power completely lack.