Authorities reportedly have identified Vance Boelter as the top suspect in the killings of Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as wounding Democratic Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, on Saturday, according to The Associated Press.
Law enforcement believes that Vance Luther Boelter allegedly killed Hortman and her husband early Saturday morning before going on to shoot and seriously injure Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman of Minnesota and his wife, according to the AP.
Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz reportedly tapped Boelter in 2019 to serve on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board after having previously served on the Governor’s Workforce Development Council under former Democratic Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, according to the New York Post.
Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home overnight in an apparent act of political violence, and Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot and severely wounded in their home. pic.twitter.com/1qdvb1UFei
— Daily Caller (@DailyCaller) June 14, 2025
Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home overnight in an apparent act of political violence, and Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot and severely wounded in their home. Police said they encountered the shooter, who they reportedly believe to be Boelter, at Hortman’s home and exchanged fire before the individual managed to slip away. The individual who engaged law enforcement at the scene posed as a policeman in order to carry out the attacks on Hortman and Hoffman.
Police found “No Kings” signs in the suspect’s vehicle, and advised residents not to attend planned anti-Trump “No Kings” protests in a Facebook post. Walz stated that Hortman’s murder was a “politically-motivated assassination” during a Saturday news conference, and authorities said they have recovered a manifesto as well as a list of other targets.
Multiple law enforcement entities have been searching for the gunmen throughout the day Saturday.
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