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Fox News
a day ago
- Politics
- Fox News
Who are the shooting victims in the 'targeted' attacks against Minnesota lawmakers?
One Minnesota lawmaker and her husband are dead and a senator and his wife are injured as authorities search for the shooter in what officials are calling "targeted" attacks on political figures and their families. Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, 55, was first elected to the House of Representatives in 2004 and had been serving her 11th term as a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. She acted as minority leader from 2017 to 2019, and as speaker of the House from 2019 to 2025. She previously worked for senators Al Gore and John Kerry before enrolling in law school and eventually starting her own practice. Hortman and husband Mark, who was also killed in the attack, are survived by two adult children. She reportedly worked with multiple organizations throughout her community and was described as a "lifelong resident of the northern suburbs, a mother, a volunteer and a small business person," according to her website. Hortman made headlines earlier this week for being the only House Democrat voting to repeal taxpayer-funded healthcare coverage for adult illegal immigrants. "I know that people will be hurt by that vote, and we worked very hard to try and get a budget deal that wouldn't include that provision," Hortman said after the vote, according to KTTC. Hortman reportedly voted against the bill to move the budget through the state's split legislature. Earlier this year, Hortman led House Democrats in a three-week walkout as the split legislature wrestled over power with Republicans. Hortman ultimately relinquished the gavel to Rep. Lisa Demuth and assumed the role of speaker emerita. "Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends," Gov. Tim Walz said. "Speaker 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 in Minnesota. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place. She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many." Sen. John Hoffman, 60, and wife Yvette were also shot Saturday but are expected to survive. Hoffman was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012 and is serving his fourth term as a member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Prior to taking office, Hoffman served as vice chair of the Anoka-Hennepin School Board. He serves as the chair of the Human Services Committee and holds a seat on the Energy, Utilities, Environment and Climate Committee, along with the Environment, Climate and Legacy Committee and the Health and Human Services Committee. Hoffman and his wife have one child. "My heart is broken over the events that unfolded overnight and the loss of life, security and peace that we are all feeling right now," Minnesota Senate Minority Leader Mark Johnson said in a statement. "The families of Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman are in my prayers. Senate Republicans are unified in our condemnation of this brazen act of violence." On Saturday afternoon, authorities released the name of a suspect wanted in the attacks as a manhunt for the shooter continues. Vance Boelter, 57, was identified as the suspected gunman. Surveillance footage released by police shows Boelter wearing a brown cowboy hat inside a Minneapolis business hours after the attacks, and a second photo revealed a masked gunman wearing police-like tactical gear and carrying a flashlight outside a home. Authorities did not reveal a possible motive for the violence. Police were called to the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 a.m. and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds, according to authorities. As a precautionary measure, officers were sent to Hortman's home. Upon their arrival, authorities encountered a man dressed as a police officer at Hortman's home and what appeared to be a patrol car parked outside. "When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home" and escaped, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. Several AK-style guns were recovered from the suspect's vehicle, along with a pile of "No Kings" flyers, an apparent nod to the anti-Trump administration protests sweeping the nation this weekend. Boelter is believed to be armed with a pistol. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter's arrest. Authorities believe Boelter may be trying to flee the area, and he is considered armed and dangerous. Boelter is 6 feet, 1 inch tall and weighs about 220 pounds. Officials ask anyone with information about Boelter's whereabouts to call 877-996-6222.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minnesota Assassin Had ‘No Kings' Flyers In Car, Police Warn Public To Stay Home
After an assassin killed a Minnesota state legislator and wounded another overnight, police found flyers for today's 'No Kings Day' protests in the suspect's vehicle – and are warning the public to stay home. A shooter killed Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounded Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, north of Minneapolis early the morning of June 14, according to Fox News. As The Dallas Express previously reported, this comes the same day as nationwide 'No Kings Day' mobilizations against President Donald Trump. '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 Minnesota State Patrol posted to X. 'The photo is of flyers inside the vehicle of the suspect in today's shootings.' Both legislators targeted were members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, according to Fox News. The suspect reportedly used an SUV with flashing lights, and impersonated a police officer to access their homes. Police are urging the public not to approach the suspect, and to call 911 with information. Gov. Tim Walz said the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is investigating the incident, and said his 'thoughts' and 'prayers' were with the legislators. 'We must stand united against all forms of violence – and I call on everyone to join me in that commitment.' Powerful anti-Trump groups are backing today's 'No Kings Day' mobilizations across the nation, including several in the Dallas-Fort Worth area, as The Dallas Express previously reported. Groups including 50501 and Indivisible are orchestrating these events, and they are collaborating with others including the ACLU, American Federation of Teachers, SEIU, Bernie Sanders and his group Our Revolution, Move On of the Tesla Takedown demonstrations, and the left-wing protest group Families Over Billionaires. The upcoming 'No Kings Day' mobilizations are set to take place in Dallas and Fort Worth, as well as Burleson, Flower Mound, and Sanger. These events follow days of violent anti-ICE riots in places like Los Angeles and Dallas, as The Dallas Express reported at the time. Gov. Greg Abbott deployed thousands of Texas National Guard troops across the state this week to keep order. The Dallas Express previously asked a 'No Kings Day' spokesman if organizers expect the mobilizations to merge with anti-ICE actors. He said, 'I don't think anybody's going to say, 'Don't do that.'' At the time, the spokesman emphasized organizers are communicating with police and training 'marshals' to keep the peace. He blamed violence on 'one-sided escalation.' 'I think at their very nature, they're nonviolent, they're peaceful. But then when you do things like calling the National Guard, it amplifies tensions,' he said. The Dallas Express then asked his thoughts on the riots in Los Angeles 'before the National Guard was there,' when rioters were 'throwing rocks at immigration agents and surrounding the federal building.' 'It's very strange to portray single actors throwing rocks as an entire movement if you're not doing the same thing for masked ICE agents kidnapping people in schools, in hospitals, on the streets,' the spokesman replied. Businesses can prepare for riots with measures like installing high-visibility security, removing possible projectiles, and blocking off windows, per The Dallas Express. The Dallas Police Department and Fort Worth Police Department have been preparing for the 'No Kings Day' mobilizations, as The Dallas Express also reported. Houston Mayor John Whitmire called to keep the mobilizations 'peaceful,' and the Dallas Police Department warned 'violence, property damage, and blocking roads won't be tolerated.'
