Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman were attacked in their homes in what authorities describe as a politically motivated act of domestic terror. A manhunt is underway for the suspect.
Brooklyn Park, Minnesota | June 15:
A chilling politically motivated assassination attempt has shaken Minnesota and the nation, as two Democratic state lawmakers were shot in their homes, leaving one dead and another seriously injured. The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, remains at large, and authorities are conducting a manhunt to prevent further attacks.
The victims of the dual attacks are State Representative Melissa Hortman—a 20-year veteran of the Minnesota House and its former Speaker—and State Senator John Hoffman. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in their Champlin home. Senator Hoffman and his wife were both seriously injured after being shot multiple times at their residence in Brooklyn Park. They remain hospitalized after undergoing emergency surgery.
Governor Tim Walz called the coordinated attacks “a politically motivated assassination attempt”, while President Donald Trump condemned the violence, stating: “Such horrific violence will not be tolerated.”
Timeline of the Attack
Authorities report the assaults took place in the early morning hours of Saturday, with the first emergency call coming in at 2:00 AM from Senator Hoffman’s home, followed by another at 3:35 AM from the Hortman residence.
At the latter scene, police exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who was reportedly impersonating a police officer, wearing a badge and uniform and driving a vehicle resembling a patrol car. Despite the confrontation, the gunman escaped, prompting an ongoing manhunt.
Who is the Suspect?
Vance Luther Boelter, a former political appointee and security contractor with experience in Africa and the Middle East, is the sole suspect identified in the attack. Law enforcement has uncovered a manifesto and a hit list in his vehicle, including the names of additional politicians, such as U.S. Senator Tina Smith, whose office confirmed her inclusion.
Boelter once served on the same state workforce development board as Senator Hoffman. However, investigators have not confirmed the depth of their connection.
Boelter reportedly sent a disturbing farewell text message to acquaintances at a Minneapolis residence where he occasionally stayed. The message read:
“I’m going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn’t gone this way.”
Political Shockwaves
The violence has sent shockwaves across the political landscape. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a fellow Minnesotan, condemned the attacks, calling them “an attack on everything we stand for as a democracy.” Lawmakers from both parties have united in mourning and in calling for accountability.
The attack comes at a time of growing concern about political violence in the United States. President Trump has survived two assassination attempts in 2024, and Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home was the target of an arson attack earlier this year.
In response to security concerns, Governor Walz advised the public to avoid participating in weekend protests across Minnesota and the nation.
Victims and Legacy
Rep. Melissa Hortman, 53, had been a prominent voice in Minnesota politics and held the position of House Speaker from 2019 to 2025. She and her husband Mark, both fatally shot in their home, leave behind a grieving community and an enduring legacy.
Senator John Hoffman, though wounded, is expected to recover. His survival, along with that of his wife, offers a sliver of hope amid the tragedy.