Wife of Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman used her body as a ‘shield' to protect daughter during shooting: family
The wife of the wounded Minnesota state senator targeted during an overnight assassination attempt shielded the couple's daughter as the masked gunman opened fire on the family, missing the couple's vital organs by inches, family and reports said.
Yvette Hoffman jumped on top of her adult daughter, Hope, while alleged assassin Vance Luther Boetler fired multiple shots at her and State Sen. John Hoffman inside their Minneapolis suburb home early Saturday morning, according to Hoffman's nephew.
'Early this morning, an absolute vile piece of s–t dressed as a cop broke into my aunt and uncle's house and shot him 6 times and my aunt 5 times in a political act of terrorism. My aunt threw herself on her daughter, using her body as a shield to save her life,' Mat Ollig wrote on Facebook.
Advertisement
One of the bullets narrowly missed the Democratic senator's heart, KARE11 reported.
7 Yvette and Sen. John Hoffman were wounded in a shooting at their Minnesota home on June 14, 2025.
Mat Ollig/Facebook
Police responded to a 911 call at the residence in Champlin, Minn. just after 2 a.m. and discovered the Hoffmans wounded, rushing them to a hospital where they underwent surgery.
Advertisement
Ollig revealed his aunt and uncle were out of surgery and in stable condition. Yvette Hoffman was awake and alert in the hospital as of Saturday night, KMSP reported.
Hope Hoffman, who is in her 20s, was not hit in the shooting.
Bullet holes riddled the front of the Champlin home, the first house he allegedly targeted in his rampage before driving to Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Rep. Melissa Hortman's home in Brooklyn Park.
Boelter is accused of fatally shooting Hortman and her husband, Mark, inside their home at around 3:30 a.m.
Advertisement
7 The Hoffmans were shot multiple time and underwent surgery. Both are listed as stable.
John Hoffman/Facebook
7 Security cameras captured Vance Boelter wanted by the FBI for the shootings.
FBI
The gunman allegedly posed as a police officer and appeared at the front doorsteps of the Hortman residence and opened fire on the couple, officials announced
Rep. Hortman, 55, was pronounced dead at the scene and her husband died at a nearby hospital.
Advertisement
Brooklyn Park police were notified of the shooting in Champlin and did a check on the Hortmans when they found the masked gunman, wearing a uniform and badge, exiting the home.
Officers fired at the gunman, who took cover back inside the home, before he managed to escape.
7 A Champlin police car blocks the road to the Hoffmans' home after the shooting on June 14, 2025.
FOX 9
7 The gunman wore a mask and a police uniform and vest during the shootings.
FBI
Police opened up an urgent search for Boelter, setting up a 3-mile perimeter Saturday morning.
A lockdown of homes near the Brooklyn Park shooting was lifted late Saturday, but police urged residents to be alert and not confront any suspicious individuals, and not open doors to solo officers.
Boetler's wife, Jenny Boetler, was detained by police for questioning Saturday after being pulled over with several relatives near Onamia, Minn, local KTSP reported.
7 Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman was assassinated alongside her husband at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Melissa Hortman/Facebook
Advertisement
Boelter was appointed to the non-partisan Workforce Development Council in 2016 by former Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton.
Gov. Tim Walz appointed Boelter to the Workforce Development Board in 2019. His term ran out in 2023.
Walz called the shootings on both Hortman and Hoffman a 'politically motivated assassination.'
7 Boelter was appointed to the non-partisan Workforce Development Council in 2016 by former Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton.
HANDOUT/MINNESOTA DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC SAFETY HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Advertisement
Boelter left behind a 'manifesto' listing the names of 70 politicians, including Walz and his Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, and a stack of papers stating 'No Kings' in reference to the nationwide anti-Trump protests, according to police.
The apparent hit list included abortion providers, clinics and Planned Parenthood, sources told The Post. Both of the Democrats he targeted were pro-choice.
Police are weighing whether Boetler held extreme anti-abortion views, the sources said.
Hortman was staunchly pro-choice and led the Minnesota House in passing the PRO Act in 2023, which codified the legality of abortion and other forms of reproductive health care. She also boosted funding for abortion clinics and passed protections for providers.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
UPI
an hour ago
- UPI
1 critically injured in shooting at Salt Lake City 'No Kings' protest
A Florida State Trooper vehicle drives by protestors rallying at the 'No Kings' protest in front of City Hall in downtown Orlando, Florida on Saturday. Photo by Chris Chew/UPI | License Photo June 15 (UPI) -- At least one person was critically injured Saturday in a shooting at a protest against President Donald Trump in Salt Lake City. It came hours after two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota were shot dead by a gunman. The "No Kings" protest, one of many that took place across the United States, was attended by some 10,000 people, according to preliminary estimates from the Salt Lake City Police Department. The shooting happened around 7:56 p.m. when officers heard gunshots in front of a luxury high-rise residential building on State Street, a main thoroughfare through the city leading to the Utah State Capitol in an area with local, state and federal government facilities. "Officers responded to the scene and found one person with a critical gunshot wound. Those injuries are considered life-threatening," police said in the news release. With information provided by witnesses, police tracked "one of the involved parties" and arrested him nearby. His identity was also not provided, but he was said to have been taken to a local hospital to be treated for serious injuries from a gunshot wound and remains under police supervision. Two other people were also taken into custody later, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. The motives for the shooting are still under investigation and the roles of each of the four people remain unclear, but Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd told that it appeared the people were involved "at some level" in the protest. It was also not clear what charges the three people who were detained might face. "I want to urge everyone in the public to be calm, to give one another grace and to look out for one another tonight and in the coming days," Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall said, as reported by KUER, calling the violence "horrific." Utah Gov. Spencer Cox, a Republican, called the shooting "a deeply troubling act of violence that has no place in our public square."
CNBC
an hour ago
- CNBC
Sen. Klobuchar mourns assassinated Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman as manhunt continues
Sen. Amy Klobuchar remembered fellow Minnesota Democrat Mellissa Hortman, who was fatally shot in her home early Saturday morning alongside her husband, Mark, as a "true public servant." "I just wish everyone in the world, the political world, knew this woman like we know her in Minnesota, loved by Democrats and Republicans," Klobuchar said of Hortman, who was a member of the Minnesota House since 2005. "We started out together in politics, moms with young kids, and somehow she was able to balance getting to know everyone, door knock every house in her district, while raising two children," she continued on NBC's "Meet the Press." Klobuchar said she was at a dinner with Hortman the night before a gunman impersonating a police officer killed her and her husband in an act officials are calling a "politically motivated assassination." A massive manhunt continues Sunday for the suspect, who officials have identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter. The suspect also shot State Senator John A. Hoffman, a fellow Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, in a separate attack at their home early Saturday morning. Klobuchar said Sunday that the couple was "hanging in there." She said that Hoffman may need "additional surgeries," but he is currently in stable condition. Klobuchar said that authorities believe the suspect could still be in the Midwest, and that they've put out an alert in South Dakota. "We believe he's somewhere in the vicinity and that they are going to find him," Klobuchar said. Klobuchar emphasized that if anybody in the public spots the suspect, they should "not approach him." "My concern is that this guy is going to come up against just an innocent, try to take their car, try to go into their house right now," Klobuchar said. "A lot of the political leaders in our state have received extra protection, but not the innocents out there," she added. Authorities discovered a "manifesto" in the suspect's car that included several names of officials and lawmakers. Klobuchar said that she has received additional security without her request.
Indianapolis Star
an hour ago
- Indianapolis Star
Manhunt underway for Vance Luther Boelter in Minnesota lawmakers shooting
Authorities say a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were killed and another lawmaker and his wife were injured at their homes by a man impersonating law enforcement in what Gov. Tim Walz called a 'politically motivated assassination.' Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Vance Luther Boelter, 57. Officials on Saturday afternoon said they were still searching for Boelter, who was last seen in the Twin Cities area. They considered him armed and dangerous. Earlier on Saturday, authorities said they were searching for a suspect who impersonated law enforcement to gain access to the victims' homes, exchanged gunfire with police and fled on foot outside Minneapolis. Asked by reporters for his reaction to the Minnesota shooting, President Donald Trump replied, "Absolutely terrible. Absolutely terrible, and they're looking for that particular man." He spoke from the White House just before getting into his car for the short trip to the viewing stand for the Army parade. "Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!" Trump said. Walz said state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed, and State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot multiple times and wounded in 'targeted shootings' in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, two neighboring suburban cities 10 to 20 miles outside Minneapolis. Walz said Hoffman and his wife were out of surgery and officials expected them to survive. Hoffman and Hortman are both members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. (The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) is a political party exclusive to Minnesota that was formed in 1944 when the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party merged.) Hortman was Speaker-Emerita of the House of Representatives, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans. House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Minnesota Republican, said she was devastated by Hortman's loss. "She was respected by everyone at the Capitol as a formidable advocate for her values and her caucus," Demuth said in a statement. "She battled fiercely, but never let it impact the personal bond that we developed serving as caucus leaders." Multiple people had been detained for questioning but no one was in custody as of Saturday evening, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. Bruley said the shooter impersonated a police officer, complete with an SUV that appeared similar to real police vehicles, a vest, outfit and equipment. The shooter knocked on the victims' doors and used the ruse to "manipulate their way into the home," Bruley said. Minnesota 'No Kings': Protests canceled after two lawmakers shot, 1 killed Officials said they were still searching for Vance Luther Boelter, the 57-year-old suspect accused of shooting state lawmakers. Described as a white man who is 6 feet, 1 inch tall, Boelter was last seen Saturday morning in Minneapolis, according to Drew Evans, superintendent of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. In an image shared by law enforcement officials, he was wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, dark-colored long sleeve shirt or coat and carrying a dark bag. Officials suspect he's still in the Twin Cities area, though he may be trying to leave the area. Evans said Boelter should be considered as armed and dangerous and urged members of the public to call 911. It's unclear whether additional people were involved in the shooting, Evans said. An FBI wanted poster shows a photo from one of the attacks that appears to show the gunman was wearing a latex mask. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has officially named Boelter as a suspect in the case, although he is not yet charged with any crime. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter. Boelter is a St. Cloud State University graduate, according to SCSU spokesperson Zach Dwyer. Boelter wrote on his LinkedIn page that he was the CEO of a company called "Red Lion Group" and that he has traveled to Congo and several other countries, but those claims have not been confirmed. Boelter is also listed on a homemade web site of a company called Praetorian Guard Security Services, which lists him as director of security patrols. The website describes him as involved with 'security situations' overseas, including Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The website described him as also having worked for a large oil refining company, a large food company based in Switzerland, and a large convenience retailer brand, based in Japan. None of those jobs or details could be confirmed independently on Saturday. On his LinkedIn profile, Boelter claimed to work as the general manager for a 7-Eleven location in Minneapolis from April 2016 to November 2021; a general manager at Greencore in Shakopee, Minnesota from July 2011 to April 2016; a Del Monte production system manager from April 2008 to July 2011 in Minnesota; an operations leader at Johnsonville Sausage from March 2004 to April 2008; and a supervisor at Gerber from February 1999 to March 2004. Last month he posted on LinkedIn that he was looking to "get back into the U.S. food industry," and that he is "pretty open to positions." In 2019, Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz named Boelter and dozens of others to his Governor's Workforce Development Board, which according to the governor's web site assists the Governor in "developing, implementing, and modifying the State plan, review of statewide policies and programs, providing recommendations on actions to align and improve the workforce development system and programs," and other state matters. The governor's web site listed Boelter as a "business and industry representative." His appointment was effective from December 2019 to January 2023, according to the site. A spokesperson for Walz said the governor's office appoints thousands of people of all parties to boards and commissions. The workforce development board has over 60 people on it. They are unpaid, external boards created by the legislature, and Walz doesn't interview applicants, the spokesperson said. They aren't appointments to a position in the governor's cabinet, the spokesperson said. The shootings come as about 2,000 "No Kings Day" demonstrations around the country are planned to protest against the Trump administration. Authorities found papers with "No Kings" written on them in the back seat of the suspect's vehicle, Col. Christina Bogojevic with the Department of Public Safety said. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety asked people in Minnesota to stay home from all planned demonstrations on Saturday, Gov. Tim Walz said. "Out of an abundance of caution my Department of Public Safety is recommending that people do not attend any political rallies today in Minnesota until the suspect is apprehended," he said. There was no evidence that there was a specific threat to the "No Kings" rallies, but Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said authorities were sharing the information about the papers found so the public remains informed. Planned "No Kings" protests in Minnesota were canceled to adhere with guidance from state officials, according to a statement from the coalition that organized the events. 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. Elected officials have described the shootings as a 'politically motivated assassination,' though law enforcement officials were still searching for clues behind the shooter's motives. 'This individual did this to instill fear into our community,' Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston said in a briefing Saturday afternoon. 'But they also wanted to create a distinct and singular point of view.' Inside the suspect's car, police found a 'manifesto,' including a list of other lawmakers, and papers saying 'No Kings,' which officials said was an apparent reference to ongoing protests around the country. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said it was still premature to say what the motive was behind his writings. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said additional police resources have been used to check on the safety of public officials who may be at risk. Other police are actively participating in the search, he said in a Saturday Facebook post. 'Political violence is evil,' Frey said. 'It cannot be tolerated, and neither can those who condone it or make excuses for it.' Minneapolis, the largest city in the state, is located just south of Brooklyn Park and Champlin, where the shootings occurred. St. Paul, located next to Minneapolis, is the state's capital. Hoffman and Hortman are both members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Hoffman, 60, and his wife Yvette have one child and live in Champlin, according to his lawmaker profile. He was first elected in 2012. Hortman and her husband Mark have two children and live in Brooklyn Park, according to her profile. She was elected in 2004. Hortman served the people of Minnesota with compassion and grace, Gov. Tim Walz said. 'Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends, Walz said. "She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place.' U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat who represents Minnesota, said she was "heartbroken" by the Hortmans' deaths. "Melissa was a good friend and we started in politics at the same time and were always there for each other. She was a true public servant to the core, dedicating her life to serving Minnesotans with integrity and compassion," Klobuchar said in a post to X. "This is a dark day today for Minnesota and for democracy, but we will not allow fear or violence to define who we are or how we move forward. We will stand together, we will stand strong," Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said. 'I cannot emphasize enough that this is not ok. Any type of against elected officials is not ok. Any type of violence against other people is not ok,' nearby Mounds View Mayor Zach Lindstrom said in a post. Officials say the shootings unfolded in the early morning hours Saturday. At about 2 a.m., authorities were called to respond to a report of a shooting in Champlin at Hoffman's home, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said at the news conference. The Hoffmans had been shot and wounded and were transported to a hospital, where they underwent surgery. "The Hoffmans are out of surgery at this time and receiving care, and we are cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt," Gov. Tim Walz said. While law enforcement was responding at the Hoffman home, police in neighboring Brooklyn Park, who were helping on the scene, decided to proactively check on Hortman, Bruley said. When they arrived at Hortman's home, they saw what appeared to be a police vehicle with lights on and encountered a man dressed as an officer coming out of the home. The suspect shot at the officers, who returned fire, and then the suspect went back into the home and is believed to have fled on foot out a back door, Bruley said. Bruley said the suspect impersonated a police officer, complete with an SUV that is identical to real police vehicles, a vest, outfit and equipment. The suspect knocked on the victims' doors and used the ruse to "manipulate their way into the home," Bruley said. "It was not a real police officer," he said. "No question if they were in this room, you would assume they are a police officer." Hortman and her husband were both shot to death, officials said. Thousands of people were sheltering in place in the area as a massive search for the suspect unfolds, authorities said Saturday morning. Residents should not answer their doors to anyone claiming to be a police officer without first calling 911 to confirm their identity, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. Officers have been instructed to only approach people in pairs, so a single police officer knocking on someone's door would be a red flag, he said. Gov. Tim Walz said earlier Saturday morning he was briefed on 'targeted shootings' and had activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response. The Brooklyn Park Police Department issued an early morning shelter-in-place alert for a 3-mile radius around the Edinburgh Golf Course, the city of Brooklyn Park said in a post to Facebook. Law enforcement agencies including SWAT teams are conducting grid searches of the area for the suspect on Saturday. "We want to reassure the public that there is increased security in place for elected officials and others who may be at risk," Jacobson said.
