In what Gov. Tim Walz has characterized as a “politically motivated assassination,” Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home while State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and are receiving care—and the alleged suspect, Vance Boelter, remains at large as a manhunt continues.
Minn. State Rep. Melissa Hortman on Jan. 3, 2023, in St. Paul, Minn.
Key Facts
Key Takeaways
- A police alert warned that the “suspect is armed and dangerous and may be impersonating law enforcement,” according to the Minnesota Star-Tribune.
- Deputy FBI director Dan Bongino posted on X that the bureau “is working in collaboration with our local and state partners.”
- “My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination,” Walz said at a press conference.
- At 10:33 a.m., Walz said Hoffman and his wife “are out of surgery” and receiving care, and that “we are cautiously optimistic that they will survive this assassination attempt.”
- President Donald Trump issued a statement on the shootings, saying he had “been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota,” and “such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.”
Authorities from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety released this photo and public alert about the suspect in the killing of a state representative.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Minnesota police released these images of suspected shooter Vance Boelter.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
What We Know About The Suspected Shooter Vance Boelter
At a press briefing at around 4 p.m. EDT, state police shared images of the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, characterizing him as a 6-foot-1inch white male, about 220 pounds with brown hair and brown eyes, and said he was wearing a light-colored cowboy hat and dark shirt when last seen.
Authorities asked the public to call 911 if they see Boelter, but not to approach him, as he’s considered armed and dangerous. Local police told the Minnesota Star Tribune that, early Saturday morning, they noticed an SUV with emergency lights and someone who initially appeared to be a police officer at Hortman’s door, but the person, allegedly Boelter, “immediately fired at officers” after being confronted and fled back into the house.
Mark Bruley, the chief of police in Brooklyn Park (Hortman and her husband’s city) said the police searched the vehicle and uncovered a list that identified “many lawmakers and other officials,” including Hortman and Hoffman, according to MinnPost. CNN reports that Boelter’s apparent list included 70 names, including “abortion providers,” and “pro-abortion rights advocates.” It also included a number of sheets of paper with “No Kings” written on it, a likely reference to the widespread protests planned for Saturday.
CNN also reported that Boelter, according to a law enforcement official, works for a Minnesota-based security company named Praetorian Guard Security, and he is listed on the company website’s leadership page as director of security patrols, and described as having “on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military.”
This photo provided by Minnesota State Patrol shows writings in the fake police car law enforcement officials believe Vance Boelter allegedly used in the shooting of two Democratic legislators in Minnesota on Saturday.
Associated Press
Key Background
Hortman, 55, was a top Democratic leader in the Minnesota Legislature. First elected in 2004, she served as House speaker from 2019 to 2025 and spearheaded key legislation, including universal free school lunches statewide and a red flag gun law—which allows police or family members to petition the courts to have a gun removed from those considered a threat to themselves or others—according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. Hoffman, 60 and also a top Democrat in the Minnesota House, is a member of the state senate first elected in 2012. He served as chair of the Human Services Committee, according to CBS News, and has also served on committees for energy, environment and health services.
This is a developing story. More to come.