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Miami Herald
15 hours ago
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Who Is Vance Boelter? What We Know About Suspect in Democrat Assassination
Law enforcement sources have identified 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as the suspect in the targeted shooting of two Minnesota state lawmakers early Saturday morning, according to the Associated Press. The attacks killed state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark in their Brooklyn Park home, while state Senator John Hoffman and his wife remain hospitalized in critical condition after being shot in Champlin. The suspect impersonated a police officer during the attacks, wearing official-looking gear including a vest, badge, and equipment. The attacks began around 2 a.m. local time at Hoffman's residence, followed by the fatal shooting at Hortman's home at approximately 3:35 a.m. When officers arrived at Hortman's residence to conduct a welfare check, they encountered someone dressed as a police officer exiting the home. "When our officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gun fire," Brooklyn Park police chief Mark Bruley said during a press conference on Saturday. "The individual then escaped, believed to have escaped outside the back of the house. Bruley also noted that the suspect drove a vehicle that "looked exactly like an SUV squad car." Investigators also found "No Kings" protest flyers in the suspect's vehicle, prompting authorities to cancel planned demonstrations across the state as a precautionary measure. Hortman, first elected in 2004, served as House Speaker from 2019 to 2025 and was the current Democratic leader in the legislature. Hoffman, representing District 34 since 2013, previously served on the Anoka Hennepin School Board. The suspect remains at large, with Brooklyn Park under an active shelter-in-place order while hundreds of law enforcement officers from multiple agencies conduct an intensive manhunt. Police have issued unusual safety warnings, advising residents not to open doors to lone officers and noting that "licensed officers are working in pairs." Enhanced security has been deployed to protect officials named on the target list, while Governor Tim Walz has advised against attending political rallies until the suspect is captured. The FBI continues coordinating with state and local authorities as the investigation develops. This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow. Related Articles Democrats Face Backlash Over Vote to 'Express Gratitude' to ICEPublic Database of ICE Agents' Personal Details Sparks BacklashAnti-Trump Protesters to 'March to Mar-a-Lago' on His BirthdayEntertainment World Honors Sly Stone: Funk Legend Dead at 82 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Hindustan Times
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
'No Kings' protests in Minnesota cancelled as authorities search for 57-year-old suspect who shot 2 lawmakers
A 57-year-old man posing as a police officer shot and killed a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband in a brazen attack at their home early Saturday, and a second lawmaker and his wife were wounded in a separate shooting in what Gov. Tim Walz described as 'targeted political violence.' Police were searching for the gunman responsible for the attacks on the Democratic legislators. Writings found inside a fake police car recovered at one of the shooting scenes mentioned the names of multiple lawmakers and other officials, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her spouse were shot and killed early Saturday in their Brooklyn Park home. A second state lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, were shot multiple times in Champlin. Officials say both Hortman and Hoffman were mentioned in the suspect's writings. 'When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary,' said Bruley. State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic asked people 'out of an abundance of caution' not to attend any of the 'No Kings' protests that were scheduled for across the state on Saturday. Bogojevic said authorities didn't have any direct evidence that the protests would be targeted, but said the suspect had some 'No Kings' flyers in their car. Organisers announced that all of the protests across the state were cancelled. Hours after the shootings, hundreds of police and sheriff deputies from departments in the region, some in tactical gear with assault style weapons were scattered through the town. Occasional police roadblocks where cars are stopped and checked. Walz said Hortman and Hoffman were deliberately targeted. 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence," Walz said at a press conference Saturday. 'Those responsible for this will be held accountable.' Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman and his wife have one daughter. He represents a district north of Minneapolis. At the time of her death, Hortman was the top Democratic leader in the state Legislature. She was also a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. She and her husband had two children. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect. Autopsies will be done to determine extent of injuries, but Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Evans said. A 'shelter in place' order was in effect early Saturday. Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer. 'Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honour and responsibility,' he said. Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Hortman's house after an exchange of gunfire with police. The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that 'looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,' Bruley said. President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI would join in the investigation. '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!' Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack 'evil' and said she was 'heartbroken beyond words' by the killings of Hortman and her husband, Mark. "With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,' Demuth said in a statement. The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions. GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former US Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement. 'My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well," Giffords said. "An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.' Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
NDTV
20 hours ago
- Politics
- NDTV
Minnesota Lawmaker Killed, Another Shot At, Trump Condemns "Terrible Shooting"
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in a politically motivated assassination, and a second lawmaker and his wife were shot and wounded. Authorities were actively searching for a suspect hours after the targeted killings. "We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence," Walz said at a press conference Saturday. "Those responsible for this will be held accountable." US President Donald Trump has also condemned the "terrible shooting" of the lawmakers. The wounded lawmaker was identified as state Senator John Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman is married and has one daughter. Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect. Autopsies will be done to determine extent of injuries, but Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Evans said. A "shelter in place" order was in effect early Saturday. Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer. "Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honour and responsibility," he said. Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Hortman's house after an exchange of gunfire with police. The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that "looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle," Bruley said. The FBI has joined in the investigation, according to a statement posted by Dan Bonginio, the agency's deputy director. Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack "evil" and said she was "heartbroken beyond words" by the killings of Hortman and her husband, Mark. "With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator," Demuth said in a statement. The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions. GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organisation led by former U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement. "My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well," Giffords said. "An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for." Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
Yahoo
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Former Minnesota state House speaker and husband killed in politically motivated shooting, Walz says
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz says former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in a politically motivated assassination. A second lawmaker and his wife were shot and wounded. 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence," Walz said at a press conference Saturday. 'Those responsible for this will be held accountable.' The wounded lawmaker was identified as state Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm. He previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Hoffman is married and has one daughter. Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. Both Hoffman and Hortman represented districts located north of Minneapolis. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect. Officials said the suspect was dressed as a law enforcement officer. Autopsies will be done to determine extent of injuries, but Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Evans said. Public Safety Commissioner Bob Johnson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer. 'Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility,' he shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions. GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement. 'I am horrified and heartbroken by last night's attack on two patriotic public servants," Giffords said. 'My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.' Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
LeMonde
21 hours ago
- Politics
- LeMonde
Two Democratic lawmakers shot in their Minnesota homes
A gunman in Minnesota shot two Democratic state lawmakers on Saturday, June 14, killing one and her husband and wounding the other in what officials said were targeted attacks. Governor Tim Walz said the attack at the lawmakers' homes in two towns near Minneapolis "appears to be a politically motivated assassination." "We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence," Walz said at a press conference on Saturday. "Those responsible for this will be held accountable." John Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012. He ran Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm and previously served as vice chair of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Melissa Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker. She was first elected in 2004. GIFFORDS, the national gun violence prevention organization led by former Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement. "I am horrified and heartbroken by last night's attack on two patriotic public servants," Giffords said. "My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for." Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from Congress in January 2012 to focus on her
