Arrest Made in Deadly Ambush of US Politicians
Arrest made in connection with the alleged assassination of a U.S. politician
The suspect behind the ambush of two Democratic politicians in Minnesota has been apprehended. Governor Tim Walz announced the arrest at a press conference on Sunday. According to multiple sources, the 57-year-old suspect was nabbed near his farm in Green Isle, Minnesota, as reported by ABC News.
The gunman, disguised as a police officer, visited the homes of the victims on Saturday. The first attack was on John Hoffman, a member of the Minnesota Senate, and his wife, who both sustained injuries. Approximately an hour and a half later, Melissa Hortman, a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband were targeted, ending in both their deaths.
Discovery of a Suspect's Hit List
Police engaged in a gunfight with the man near Hortman's house, but he managed to evade capture. However, authorities seized his vehicle, which resembled a police SUV, containing a list of dozens of potential Minnesota Democratic targets, as well as a manifesto, according to ABC News' law enforcement sources.
The 57-year-old had affiliations with evangelical groups and claimed to be a security expert with experience in the Gaza Strip and Africa. He also had connections to radical anti-abortion groups. Governor Tim Walz termed the incident as "an act of targeted political violence." U.S. President Donald Trump also condemned the attack.
With the political climate in the U.S. heating up, such incidents are on the rise. In 2024, during the presidential campaign, a man with a gun attempted to assassinate the Republican presidential candidate. In April 2025, an arson attack was carried out on the residence of Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro. In 2022, the husband of then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi was attacked with a hammer in their home and seriously injured.
Source: ntv.de, as/AFP/rts
- USA
- Politics
- Murder
Enrichment:The suspect arrested for the attacks on US Democratic politicians in Minnesota, was taken into custody on Sunday evening following the shootings that occurred on Saturday. The shootings targeted Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were killed, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, who were injured. The suspect reportedly disguised himself as a police officer during the attacks, according to latest reports.
Melissa Hortman, age 55, a Democrat representing Minnesota House District 34B, and her husband Mark, age 58, were shot multiple times at their Brooklyn Park home and died from their wounds. State Sen. John Hoffman, age 60, also a Democrat, and his wife were shot at their Champlin home; Sen. Hoffman underwent surgery and is reported to be in a serious but stable condition, while the condition of his wife remains unclear as of now.
Authorities have labelled these shootings as politically motivated, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz describing the deaths as a "political assassination" and ordering flags to be flown at half staff in their honor. No detailed information about the suspect’s background or potential motives has been released yet. The politically motivated nature of the shootings suggests the suspect targeted these individuals due to their Democratic political affiliation, but further specifics about his background or motive are not yet available.
The suspect, earlier disguised as a police officer, was arrested for his involvement in the politically motivated murders of Melissa Hortman, a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband, Mark. This arrest comes during coverage under the categories of general-news, crime-and-justice, and politics in the United States. The incident was labeled a "political assassination" by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, highlighting the growing issue of targeted political violence in the country.
