St. Cloud-area officials react to shootings targeting Minnesota state lawmakers, 2 killed

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Minnesotans woke up to the news that two DFL state lawmakers were shot early Saturday, June 14, morning.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman, DFL-Brooklyn Park, Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and their spouses were shot in their respective homes. The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, a St. Cloud State University graduate, allegedly posed as a police officer before shooting his victims, according to news briefing.
Hortman and her husband, Mark, died from the gunshot wounds. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were wounded but are still alive.
More: Minnesota lawmakers shot in suspected targeted attacks; Rep. Hortman and her husband killed
"Our state lost a great leader, and I lost a dearest of friends," Walz said. "(Rep.) Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor and a sense of service. She was a formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant for Minnesota."
St. Cloud's state Rep. Dan Wolgamott, DFL-St. Cloud, said he'll miss Hortman, who served as one of his mentors.
"Melissa taught me so much about making laws, serving constituents and how to be a true public servant," Wolgamott said. "I will miss her and Mark so much."
Republicans are also responding to the shooting, condemning the act of violence.
"I am devastated by the loss of Speaker-Emerita Melissa Hortman," Minnesota Speaker of the House Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, wrote in a statement. "She was respected by everyone at the Capitol as a formidable advocate for her values and her caucus. She battled fiercely but never let it impact the personal bond that we developed serving as caucus leaders."
More: Suspect identified in Minnesota lawmakers shooting attended SCSU, reports say
Demuth also has Hoffman and his wife in her thoughts.
"My prayers are also with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette as they recover from this horrific attack," she wrote.
President Donald Trump also reacted to the shooting and condemned the act of violence. He was subject to an assassination attempt himself last summer during his 2024 campaign efforts.
"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 wrote in a statement.
This breaking news story will be updated as new information becomes available.
Corey Schmidt covers politics and courts for the St. Cloud Times. He can be reached at [e-mail].
This article originally appeared on St. Cloud Times: Officials react to deadly shootings targeting Minnesota lawmakers