MINNEAPOLIS — A brutal shooting in suburban Minneapolis early Saturday morning left Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette critically wounded. House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed in a separate but connected attack moments later. Authorities confirmed the attacks were premeditated and politically motivated.
The gunman, identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, posed as a police officer and entered both homes dressed in uniform. He wore a latex mask and drove a vehicle equipped with flashing emergency lights, according to investigators.
Yvette Hoffman confirmed in a public statement that she and her husband were struck by a total of 17 bullets nine hit Senator Hoffman, and eight hit her.
“We are incredibly lucky to be alive,” she wrote. “We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark. There is never a place for this kind of political hate.”
Senator Hoffman remains hospitalized in stable condition and continues to undergo surgery. The couple’s daughter, Hope, who was also home during the attack, was physically unharmed. Family sources said Yvette shielded her daughter with her body during the shooting.
The attack began around 2 a.m. Saturday in Champlin, where the Hoffmans live. Less than an hour later, Boelter opened fire at the Hortman home in Brooklyn Park, eight miles away. Officers arrived shortly after gunshots were reported and exchanged fire with the suspect. Boelter fled the scene, leaving his police-style car behind.
On Sunday, police discovered a black sedan linked to Boelter in Sibley County, about 50 miles southwest of the crime scenes. A cowboy hat, reportedly worn by the suspect during the attacks, was found nearby. Residents received emergency alerts warning them to stay inside and lock doors.
The manhunt expanded beyond Minnesota state lines into South Dakota. The FBI placed Boelter on its most-wanted list and announced a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.
Boelter had prior military and security experience, and at one time served as a pastor, according to publicly available records. Authorities recovered a target list from one of his vehicles that named high-profile Minnesota Democrats, including Governor Tim Walz, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Representative Ilhan Omar, and Attorney General Keith Ellison.
“Clearly, this is politically motivated,” Senator Klobuchar said in an interview with media sources.
Boelter’s wife, Jenny, was detained briefly during a traffic stop in Onamia, more than 100 miles away from their rural Green Isle residence. She cooperated with investigators and was released.
The violence has shaken a state known for its civility and calm. Melissa Hortman was widely respected for her ability to collaborate across party lines, particularly during recent bipartisan budget talks. Her death stunned the political community and ignited broader discussions on political extremism.
In the aftermath, mourners placed flowers and signs outside the Capitol. One message read: “Rest in Power.” Another urged: “Demand Change.”
Local resident Taha Abuisnaineh, who lived across the street from the Hortmans, called the family “kind, quiet neighbors.” He said the violence was “unthinkable.”
Brian Liebhard, who lives near where Boelter’s car was found, expressed a similar reaction: “I don’t agree with everything they vote for, but this is sad. The guy went wacko.”
Investigators continue to examine Boelter’s motive and connections. So far, no other suspects have been named, and authorities have not disclosed what may have triggered the attacks.
As police maintain a heavy presence and lawmakers weigh new safety protocols, the state is left grappling with a hard truth: political violence has reached Minnesota’s doorstep.
“We need to stop this now,” one neighbor said. “This was more than an attack on two families. It was an attack on all of us.”Tools
