A manhunt is underway in Minnesota after a deadly shooting claimed the lives of Democratic State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, while another lawmaker and his wife were wounded in what officials are calling a politically motivated attack.
Governor Tim Walz confirmed the deaths during a news conference on Saturday. The attack occurred in the Minneapolis suburb of Brooklyn Park, while State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot at their home in nearby Champlin. Both survived and are in stable condition.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who remains at large and is considered “armed and dangerous.” Surveillance footage from Saturday morning captured him in the Minneapolis area. Investigators believe he may be attempting to flee the Minneapolis-St. Paul region.
Targeted Political Violence
Governor Walz described the shootings as an “act of targeted political violence,” condemning the attack and calling for unity.
“Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence,” he said.
He announced that Minnesota state flags would be flown at half-staff in Hortman’s honor.
Timeline of the Attacks
Authorities believe the shootings occurred in two separate incidents:
First, Senator Hoffman and his wife were attacked at their home in Champlin.
Approximately 90 minutes later, Hortman and her husband were killed at their Brooklyn Park residence during a shootout in which the suspect escaped.
Suspect Impersonated Police
Investigators believe Boelter may have impersonated a law enforcement officer during both attacks. The FBI released an image showing him possibly wearing a latex mask to conceal his identity.
Flyers from Minnesota’s anti-Trump protests — part of a national “No Kings” demonstration — were found in Boelter’s vehicle, along with a manifesto naming several political figures.
A home security company, Praetorian Guards Security Services, lists Boelter as their Director of Security Patrols.
His roommate, David Carlson, told local station KARE that Boelter sent him a message saying he might soon be dead and would be “gone for a while.”
National Response
President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi condemned the violence and vowed full prosecution of those responsible. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter’s arrest or conviction.
In response to the attacks, Minnesota authorities advised residents to avoid political rallies as a precaution. However, large crowds still gathered in St. Paul to protest and mourn.
“Melissa proved that you could be a politician and a good person,” said State Attorney General Keith Ellison at the rally.
Nationwide Tensions Rise
Tensions remain high across the U.S. since President Trump returned to office in January. Divisive policies, especially on immigration and education, have sparked widespread protests. In Texas, officials evacuated the state capitol due to a “credible threat” linked to a planned demonstration.
In Brooklyn Park, police lifted a shelter-in-place order Saturday evening, saying there was reason to believe the suspect had left the area.
Former U.S. Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, a survivor of political gun violence, expressed sorrow at Hortman’s death:
“We must protect our democracy from those who try to destroy it with a gun,” she posted on X
