Politically motivated shootings leave Minnesota Reps. Hortman and spouse deceased, Sen. Hoffman and partner injured; Gov. Walz confirms the tragedies.
Here’s the scoop:
A pair of tragic shootings rocked Minnesota early Saturday, claiming the lives of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her hubby Mark, while Sen. John Hoffman and his Mrs Yvette sustained injuries in what Gov. Tim Walz described as politically motivated attacks. The culprit, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, is still on the loose as of this writing.
The Hortmans and Hoffmans were gunned down in separate incidents, with investigators suspecting Boelter, a suspected wannabe cop, perpetrated the gruesome bloodbath. Boelter, a burly six-footer weighing approximately 220 lbs, has brown hair and eyes. He was caught on camera in Minneapolis and is believed to have changed clothes after the shooting spree. If you spot him, dial 911 or contact the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension's tip line 877-996-6222 or email [email protected] – he's considered extremely dangerous. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for any info leading to his arrest.
Autopsy results indicate both the Hortmans died from multiple gunshot wounds, with Rep. Hortman being pronounced dead at the scene. Her loyal husband passed away shortly after at North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale. While Sen. Hoffman managed to survive surgery and is now in a stable condition, there's no word on Yvette's condition yet.
This incident has been labeled by Walz as a "political assassination" and flags are flying at half-staff in honor of Hortman and her husband.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent, Drew Evans, unveiled Boelter as the prime suspect and informed that he was last scene on Saturday morning in surveillance footage grabbed by a Minneapolis business. As of now, the shelter-in-place order for a three-mile radius around Brooklyn Park's Edinburgh Golf Course has been revoked.
Investigations suggest Boelter approached Sen. Hoffman's home around 2 a.m., whereas Hortman and her husband were targeted at their home in Brooklyn Park. Moreover, Boelter seemed to have worn clothing resembling a police uniform during the attacks.
A WCCO crew spotted a vehicle, which they believe belongs to Boelter, being towed away from the Hortmans' home. Authorities revealed an extensive hitlist of potential targets was discovered in the vehicle Boelter was apprehended in. Over 50 individuals, including officials outside of Minnesota, abortion rights advocates, and abortion facilities, were listed. Additionally, fliers linked to the "No Kings" protests were found within the vehicle. Organizers have since axed events in Minnesota.
President Trump expressed his disapproval of the violence and pledged full cooperation of federal law enforcement to bring the criminals to justice. Meanwhile, Sen. Amy Klobuchar condemned the targeted political violence as an assault on democracy, vowing to honor the victims' legacy by protecting democracy, standing against hate, and continuing their life's work.
Gov. Walz railed against political violence and conveyed his deep sorrow over the loss of his dear friend Hortman, urging unity against all forms of violence. He expressed appreciation for the response from federal law enforcement and applauded the bravery of those fighting to catch the perpetrators.
- The tragic shootings in Minnesota on Saturday have been labeled as politically motivated attacks by Governor Tim Walz.
- The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (MBCA) is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, who is the prime suspect in the shootings.
- Boelter, a suspected wannabe cop, was caught on camera in Minneapolis and is believed to have changed clothes after the shooting spree.
- News of the shootings has dominated general-news and crime-and-justice headlines in the U.S., with sports-betting and business news taking a backseat.
- The shootings have raised concerns about safety and security, with the political community expressing grave concerns about targeted attacks.
- In a separate development, federal law enforcement agencies have been drawn into the investigation, with President Trump pledging full cooperation to bring the criminals to justice.
