What to know about Minnesota lawmakers' shootings that killed Melissa Hortman
A manhunt was under way in Minnesota over Saturday night for the suspect in the shooting of two state lawmakers at their Twin Cities homes that Gov. Tim Walz called a "politically motivated assassination."
The big picture: Minnesota state House Democratic Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were wounded in the attacks by a gunman whom officials said was impersonating a police officer.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said at a Saturday briefing that the injured couple were receiving care in the hospital after undergoing surgery for their gunshot wounds.
The suspect, whom officials identified as Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was still at large as of early Sunday and the FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
What happened: Police said they responded about 2am Saturday to a report of a shooting at Hoffman's home in Champlin, about 22 miles north of downtown Minneapolis.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said at a Saturday briefing that around 3:35am officers proactively checked on Hortman at her home some five miles away.
Police exchanged gunfire with the suspect at Hortman's Brookyln Park home, but Bruley said he escaped.
What they found: The suspect abandoned at Hortman's home an SUV that was similar to a police squad vehicle, investigators said.
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Chicago Tribune
32 minutes ago
- Chicago Tribune
Authorities still searching for suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota state lawmakers
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — A massive search stretched into its second day Sunday for a man who authorities say wore a mask and posed as a police officer while fatally shooting a Democratic state lawmaker in her suburban Minneapolis home, an act Gov. Tim Walz called 'a politically motivated assassination.' Authorities said the suspect also shot and wounded a second lawmaker and was trying to flee the area. Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday. Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin address, about 9 miles (about 15 kilometers) away. Authorities identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, and the FBI issued a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction. They shared a photo taken Saturday of Boelter wearing a tan cowboy hat and asked the public to report sightings. Hundreds of law enforcement officers fanned out in the search for the suspect. U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota said Sunday that authorities believe the shooter hasn't gone far. 'We believe he's somewhere in the vicinity and that they are going to find him,' the Democrat said Sunday on NBC's 'Meet the Press.' 'But right now, everyone's on edge here, because we know that this man will kill at a second.' Authorities had not yet given any details on a possible motive. Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other. The attacks prompted warnings to other state elected officials and the cancellation of planned 'No Kings' demonstrations against President Donald Trump, though some went ahead anyway, including one that drew tens of thousands to the State Capitol in St. Paul. Authorities said the suspect had 'No Kings' flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets. A Minnesota official told AP the suspect's writings also contained information targeting prominent lawmakers who have been outspoken in favor of abortion rights. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. Law enforcement agents recovered several AK-style firearms from the suspect's vehicle, and he was believed to still be armed with a pistol, a person familiar with the matter told AP. The person could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions. 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,' said Walz, a Democrat. He also ordered flags to fly at half-staff in Hortman's honor. 'Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!' President Donald Trump said in a statement. Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 a.m., Champlin police said, and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds. After seeing who the victims were, police sent officers to proactively check on Hortman's home. There they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer at the door, leaving the house. 'When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home' and escaped on foot, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. Authorities believe the shooter was wearing a mask when carrying out the attacks, according to a law enforcement official. The FBI released photos of the suspect including an image that appears to show him wearing a mask that covered his face and head, a police uniform, and holding a flashlight. Multiple bullet holes could be seen in the front door of Hoffman's home. John and Yvette Hoffman each underwent surgery, according to Walz. Hortman, 55, had been the top Democratic leader in the state House since 2017. She led Democrats in a three-week walkout at the beginning of this year's session in a power struggle with Republicans. Under a power sharing agreement, she turned the gavel over to Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth and assumed the title speaker emerita. Hortman used her position as speaker in 2023 to champion expanded protections for abortion rights, including legislation to solidify Minnesota's status as a refuge for patients from restrictive states who travel to the state to seek abortions — and to protect providers who serve them. Walz called her a 'formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota.' Hortman and her husband had two adult children. The initial autopsy reports from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office gave their cause of death as 'multiple gunshot wounds.' The reports said Melissa Hortman died at the scene while her husband was pronounced dead at the hospital. Hoffman, 60, was first elected in 2012 and was chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, which oversees one of the biggest parts of the state budget. He and his wife have one daughter. Boelter was appointed to the workforce development board in 2016 and then reappointed in 2019 to a four-year term that expired in 2023, state records show. Corporate records show Boelter's wife filed to create a company called Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC with the same Green Isle mailing address listed for the couple. Boelter's wife is listed as president and CEO and he is listed as director of security patrols on the company's website. The website says the company provides armed security for property and events and features a photo of an SUV painted in a two-tone black and silver pattern similar to a police vehicle. Another photo shows a man in black tactical gear with a military-style helmet and a ballistic vest. An online resume says Boelter is a security contractor who has worked in the Middle East and Africa, in addition to past managerial roles at companies in Minnesota. Around 6 a.m., Boelter texted friends to say he had 'made some choices,' the Minnesota Star Tribune reported. In the messages, read to reporters by David Carlson, Boelter did not specify what he had done but said: 'I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way. … I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused.' Klobuchar condemned online threats and urged people Sunday to think twice before posting accusations or motives on the Internet. Speaking of Hortman on CNN, Klobuchar said: 'This is a person that did everything for the right reasons. 'Regardless of political parties, look at her face before you send out your next post,' Klobuchar said. Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack 'evil' and said she was 'heartbroken beyond words' by the killings. The shootings are the latest in a series of attacks against lawmakers across parties. In April a suspect set fire to the home of Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, forcing him and his family to flee during the Jewish holiday of Passover. The suspect said he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he found him, according to court documents. In July 2024, Trump was grazed on the ear by one of a hail of bullets that killed a Trump supporter. Two months later a man with a rifle was discovered near the president's Florida golf course and arrested. Other incidents include a 2022 hammer attack on the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in their San Francisco home and a 2020 plot by anti-government extremists to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and start a civil war. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he asked Capitol Police to 'immediately increase security' for Klobuchar and U.S. Sen. Tina Smith. He also asked Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, to hold a briefing on member security. Speaking Sunday on CNN's 'Inside Politics Sunday,' Smith said she personally felt safe and the thought of security details becoming the norm was unbearable. 'But I think we are at a tipping point right now when we see these kinds of personal threats. It gets worse, not better,' she said. 'I don't want to think that I need to have a personal security detail wherever I go.'
New York Post
32 minutes ago
- New York Post
Klobuchar had dinner with Minnesota pol hours before she was murdered Saturday
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar dined with former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman shortly before before she was tragically gunned down in her home alongside her husband. Klobuchar (D-Minn.) was informed about the heartbreaking loss by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D) around 5 a.m. Saturday. 'I wish everyone had known her like we knew her,' Klobuchar told Politico. 'I was there when she was doorknocking in the beginning. … I was in county office and she was seeking the legislative office.' 'She was pretty no-nonsense,' the senator added. 'But in a kind way, with a lot of humor.' Hortman, who served as state speaker from 2019 until January 2025, was killed alongside her husband, Mark, early Saturday in a shooting officials say 'appears to be a politically motivated assassination.' 4 Former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman was a very talented legislator, Sen. Amy Klobuchar reflected. MelissaHortman/Facebook 4 Authorities have yet to apprehend the suspect, Vance Boelter. AP The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, dressed like a police officer when carrying out the attack, according to authorities. A massive manhunt is underway for Boelter. Authorities put out an alert in South Dakota and believe he's 'in the vicinity' of the Midwest, Klobuchar said. Boelter is also accused of shooting and badly wounding Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. The sicko left behind a manifesto naming 70 politicians, such as Walz, Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan and the state's congressional delegation. Klobuchar said she was not briefed that she was a potential target. The deranged killer also had 'No Kings' flyers in his vehicle, referring to protests against President Trump held across the country Saturday. Boelter had previously been appointed to key posts by Minnesota governors, including a position on the Workforce Development Council in 2016 under then-Gov. Mark Dayton, and again to that board by Walz in 2019, according to documents. 4 Sen. Amy Klobuchar recieved bolstered security in the wake of the attack. Bloomberg via Getty Images Klobuchar was five years into her tenure as County Attorney of Hennepin County in 2004 when Hortman first ascended into Minnesota's House of Representatives. Around that time, Hortman was juggling her responsibilities of being a politician with teaching Sunday school and leading a Girl Scout troop, Klobuchar recounted. That ability to manage with two kids led her to do 'a really good job managing legislators,' the senator reflected to Politico. Klobuchar recounted how Hortman turned the mute button off that the speaker before her used to stop other lawmakers from interrupting. 'She's like 'I don't need that. I can use the gavel,'' Klobuchar recalled. 'She was just such a skilled legislator at bringing people together.' Klobuchar said she hopes the increased levels of political violence don't deter good people from seeking office. 'I hope good people still run or our democracy won't stand,' she told the outlet. 'This has gotten totally out of hand,' Klobuchar told CNN's 'State of the Union' Sunday. 'With threats against members of Congress in 2016, there were like 1,700 of them. Last year, over 9,000 of them.' 4 The suspect had allegedly worn a mask in addition to a law enforcement uniform. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) called for bolstered security for Klobuchar and fellow retiring Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.) in the wake of the horrifying assassination. 'I asked Capitol Police—as I did earlier this week for Senator Padilla—to immediately increase security for both senators. I thank the Sergeant at Arms and the Capitol Police for increasing security for all three,' Schumer announced Saturday.
Axios
43 minutes ago
- Axios
Padilla says FBI agent, Guard member escorted him to Noem's briefing before removal
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Calif.) said Sunday that a member of the National Guard and an FBI agent escorted him into Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem's press conference last week before he was forcefully removed. The big picture: Administration officials and allies claim Padilla interrupted the briefing to manufacture a scene. Democrats, whose fears of arrest and the hands of the administration have soared, say the senior senator from California was doing his job by questioning the secretary. Tensions were already high, as protests in Los Angeles over the administration's aggressive immigration crackdown set the stage for a showdown between President Trump and state Democratic officials. When Padilla interrupted Noem to try to ask a question, Axios' Noah Bressner reported, she had just said her agents were staying in LA to "liberate this city from the socialist and the burdensome leadership that this governor and this mayor have placed on this country." Driving the news: Padilla said on CNN's "State of the Union" Sunday that he arrived at a federal building for a scheduled briefing with representatives from U.S. Northern Command when he learned Noem was having a press conference "a couple doors down." He said he requested to listen in and was escorted into the room by a member of the National Guard and an FBI agent. "They opened the door for me, and they stood next to me while I was listening for the entire time," he told CNN's Dana Bash. "And then, of course, once I was forcibly removed and handcuffed." Friction point: DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said Thursday that Padilla "interrupted a live press conference without identifying himself" and that Secret Service believed he was "an attacker." In footage of the incident shared by McLaughlin on social media, Padilla can be heard saying, "I am Senator Alex Padilla. I have questions for the secretary" as he is pushed away. "What does it say about the secretary to not know who the senator from California is, the ranking member of the judiciary subcommittee on immigration?" Padilla questioned Sunday. DHS did not immediately respond to Axios' request for comment. Zoom out: On Saturday, Padilla led the entirety of the Senate Democratic caucus in demanding that Trump remove all military forces from LA and stop threatening to further deploy troops, Axios' Stephen Neukam scooped.
