Democratic former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home in Minneapolis, on Saturday.
Hundreds of law officers fanned out across a Minneapolis suburb Saturday in pursuit of a man who authorities say posed as a police officer and fatally shot a Democratic state lawmaker in her home in what Governor Tim Walz called “a politically motivated assassination.”
Authorities said the suspect also shot and wounded a second lawmaker, Senator John Hoffman and was believed to be trying to flee the area, reports AP. Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin address, about 9 miles (about 15 kilometers) away.
Authorities identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, and the FBI issued a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said investigators obtained video. He did not give details on a possible motive.
Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffinnman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other.
The governor also ordered flags to fly at half-staff in Hortman’s honor.
Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans’ home shortly after 2am and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds. Multiple bullet holes could be seen in the front door of Hoffman’s home.
Meanwhile, John and Yvette Hoffman each underwent surgery, according to Walz.
Trump said in a statement that the FBI would join in the investigation.
The early morning attacks prompted warnings to other elected officials around the state and the cancellation of planned “No Kings” demonstrations against President Donald Trump, though some went ahead anyway. Authorities said the suspect had “No Kings” flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets.
Melissa Hortman, 55, had been the top Democratic leader in the state House since 2017. In 2023, Hortman used her position as speaker to help champion expanded protections for abortion rights.
Hortman and her husband had two adult children.
