“Politically Motivated Assassination”: Manhunt Intensifies After Deadly Shootings of Two Minnesota Lawmakers
Minnesota is reeling after a brazen double shooting that law enforcement officials are calling a targeted political attack. Former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman was killed in her home early Saturday morning, and State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in a separate shooting just minutes earlier.
Authorities say the suspect, Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old former political appointee and private security contractor, may have posed as a police officer to gain access to the victims’ homes. He remains at large as of Sunday morning. A massive manhunt is underway, and the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture.
A Coordinated Attack on State Leaders
The attacks occurred just after 2 a.m. in two different Twin Cities suburbs—first in Champlin, where Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot multiple times, and then in Brooklyn Park, where police later found Hortman and her husband, Mark, both shot. Hortman died at the scene; her husband was later pronounced dead at the hospital.
Police were tipped off to the second scene after recognizing the victims at the first. When they arrived at the Hortman residence, they saw a man dressed in a police-style uniform exiting the house. The suspect opened fire and fled on foot after exchanging gunfire with responding officers.
Officials believe Boelter was armed with a pistol and had multiple AK-style firearms in his vehicle, along with extremist materials including “No Kings” protest flyers and writings that mentioned several lawmakers by name—including Hortman and Hoffman.
Who Was Melissa Hortman?
Hortman, 55, was a fixture in Minnesota politics and one of the most influential Democratic voices in the state legislature. First elected in 2004, she rose through the ranks to become Speaker of the House in 2019, leading the chamber during some of its most contentious years.
Known for her sharp political instincts and passion for social justice, she was a staunch advocate for abortion rights, environmental protections, and economic equity. In 2023, she helped solidify Minnesota as a sanctuary state for abortion care, passing legislation that shielded both patients and providers from legal retaliation in other states.
Earlier this year, under a power-sharing agreement with Republicans, she stepped down from her leadership post and took on the honorary title of Speaker Emerita. She is survived by two adult children.
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Gov. Tim Walz called her death a “politically motivated assassination” and described Hortman as “irreplaceable.”
“She woke up every day, determined to make this state a better place,” Walz said during a press conference. “She was a formidable public servant and a giant in our state’s history.”
Who Is John Hoffman?
Senator John Hoffman, 60, represents the northern Twin Cities suburbs and was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012. He chairs the Senate Human Services Committee, which oversees a major portion of the state budget, including programs for health care, aging, and disability services.
A moderate Democrat, Hoffman has been especially vocal on health equity, mental health reform, and public workforce issues. His wife, Yvette Hoffman, is not a public figure, but was also shot during the attack. Both underwent surgery and, according to Gov. Walz, are expected to survive.
Who Is the Suspect, Vance Boelter?
Boelter isn’t a household name, but his past brushes with politics, law enforcement aesthetics, and conspiracy-driven ideology paint a disturbing picture.
From 2016 to 2023, Boelter served on Minnesota’s Governor’s Workforce Development Board, an advisory panel focused on job training and economic planning. Records show he served on the board at the same time as Hoffman, though it’s unclear if they knew each other personally.
In 2019, Boelter and his wife registered a private security company, Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC, based out of Green Isle, MN. The company website featured images of armed personnel in tactical gear, as well as SUVs painted to resemble police vehicles. Boelter was listed as Director of Security Patrols.
An online résumé says he worked as a private security contractor in the Middle East and Africa—a claim authorities are still working to verify. He had also lived in multiple Minnesota towns over the years, keeping a low profile in the community.
Shortly before disappearing, Boelter reportedly sent cryptic messages to acquaintances.
“I’ve made some choices… I may be dead shortly,” he wrote, according to a friend who shared the message with local reporters. “I’m sorry for all the trouble this has caused.”
A Climate of Political Tension
This tragic incident comes amid a rising tide of political violence in the U.S., where elected officials at all levels have faced escalating threats.
- In 2022, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband was attacked with a hammer in their San Francisco home.
- In 2020, an anti-government militia plotted to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
- In 2024, former President Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet during a campaign rally, and a separate suspect with a rifle was later arrested near his Florida estate.
- Just weeks ago, someone set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s home during Passover, forcing the family to flee.
And now, two prominent Minnesota lawmakers have been directly targeted—one of them killed.
“Condemning violence is important, but it’s not enough,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “We must confront the toxic forces radicalizing individuals. We must do more to protect one another and our democracy.”
Schumer has requested additional security for Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and called for a congressional briefing on threats to elected officials.
A State on Edge
Following the attacks, police urged the public to avoid participating in “No Kings” protests that had been planned in opposition to former President Trump. While some demonstrations were canceled, others continued across the Twin Cities, despite warnings.
Hundreds of law enforcement officers—many in tactical gear—fanned out across Brooklyn Park and surrounding areas, setting up checkpoints and searching wooded areas and homes.
By Saturday afternoon, a shelter-in-place order was lifted, but the suspect remained missing.
Residents were left stunned.
“This is crazy—someone going after representatives,” said Douglas Thompson, a Brooklyn Park resident. “This is wrong. I’m hoping they catch him soon.”
What Comes Next
The FBI, State Patrol, local law enforcement, and federal prosecutors are all coordinating on the manhunt and ongoing investigation.
Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that other lawmakers or officials were on Boelter’s list of targets. His writings reportedly named other Democratic leaders—especially those who supported abortion access—as enemies.
This case is developing rapidly, and updates are expected in the coming days. For now, Minnesota mourns the loss of a political leader, prays for the recovery of another, and holds its breath as the search for a suspect with a deadly agenda continues.
If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Vance Boelter, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or your local law enforcement agency.
Source: AP News – Authorities still searching for suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota state lawmakers
