Minnesota has been left reeling after a Democratic state representative and her husband were gunned down in what officials have described as a “politically motivated assassination” that also left a state senator and his wife critically wounded.
Melissa Hortman, a veteran politician and former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home just after 2am on Saturday (local time).
Only moments earlier, the alleged gunman had targeted Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin — roughly 8 kilometres away — leaving both seriously injured.
Authorities have identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, a former appointee to the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Described as armed and dangerous, Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer to gain entry to both homes, donning a fake uniform complete with a badge, vest, and even a taser.
“He used the trust that this badge and uniform symbolise to manipulate his way inside,” said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley.
“It was not a real police officer.”
The FBI has now offered a reward of up to $50,000 for info leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter
The violent spree unfolded across two quiet suburban neighbourhoods in the early hours of the morning. According to law enforcement, the Hoffmans were rushed into emergency surgery and are now in stable condition. Their adult daughter, Hope, was also at home during the attack but was saved by Yvette, who reportedly shielded her with her own body.
Relatives say a bullet narrowly missed Senator Hoffman’s heart. As first responders arrived at the Hortmans’ residence, they found what appeared to be a squad vehicle with flashing lights and a uniformed man at the door. When officers confronted him, the suspect opened fire and fled on foot after a brief exchange of gunfire. Mark Hortman was still alive when officers reached him but later died despite resuscitation attempts. Melissa Hortman was pronounced dead at the scene.
Governor Tim Walz described the act as an “unspeakable tragedy” and urged Minnesotans to reject political violence in all forms. “Democracy must not die at the barrel of a gun,” he said during a news conference.
Boelter had reportedly left behind fliers referencing “No Kings,” a slogan linked to anti-Trump protests planned for that day, as well as a manifesto and a list of politicians’ names. The national “No Kings” demonstrations were immediately cancelled, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for a 4-kilometre radius around the Hortman home.
President Donald Trump condemned the “targeted attack against state lawmakers” and promised that those responsible would face the “fullest extent of the law.” US Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are assisting in the investigation.
The attacks come amid rising political tensions in the United States, with escalating protests and deepening ideological divides. Former Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi called the killings “heartbreaking” and a disturbing echo of politically driven violence in the country’s recent history.
Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin paid a deeply personal tribute:
“Melissa, Mark, John, and Yvette – these are not just names. They are our friends. They are loved. They are the heart of our community.”
Authorities are still searching for Boelter, who is described as a 6-foot-1 white male with brown hair and eyes, last seen wearing black body armour over a blue shirt and blue trousers. Police are urging the public not to approach him and to report sightings immediately.
Post-mortems will confirm the cause of death, though investigators say both Melissa and Mark Hortman died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Melissa Hortman, a mother of two, was first elected in 2004 and rose to become one of Minnesota’s most prominent political figures. Senator Hoffman, first elected in 2012, also runs a consulting firm and remains hospitalised.
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