Assassination Shocks State: Governor Tim Walz Condemns Politically Motivated Attack on Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Her Husband

ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA - In a shocking attack early Saturday morning, Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed at their home in Brooklyn Park. The incident also left Republican State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette shot multiple times at their home in Champlin.

The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter of Green Isle, Minnesota, is allegedly impersonating a police officer to carry out the attacks. Authorities say witnesses described the suspect as dressed like a police officer with an armored vest and Taser. A similar-appearing police car was parked outside Hortman's home.

Governor Tim Walz described Hortman as a "giant in Minnesota" who served with "grace, compassion, humor, and a sense of service." He expressed his condolences to the victims' families and called on Minnesotans to pray for their recovery. The governor also stated that he was cautiously optimistic about Hoffman's survival after undergoing surgery.

"Our law enforcement is working tirelessly to apprehend the individual responsible," Walz said in a statement.

The police investigation revealed that Boelter had previously served on Governor Mark Dayton's Workforce Development Council and also under Gov. Tim Walz in 2016 and 2019.

DFL State Senator John Hoffman's wife, Yvette, initially was reported as having survived the attack with multiple gunshot wounds but later died at Mercy Hospital due to severe injuries. Her nephew stated she received five or six bullet wounds.

Sources confirmed that all other Minnesota state lawmakers were being held under protective custody in coordination with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement jurisdictions. The FBI, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, as well as Brooklyn Park police are working to apprehend Vance Boelter.

In a statement, House Speaker Emerita Demuth called for lifting prayers for victims, while demanding answers.