Two Minnesota Lawmakers Shot Dead in Politically Motivated Attack: Governor Walz Calls It an “Assassination”

Minneapolis, June 15, 2025 – In a shocking overnight tragedy, two Minnesota Democratic lawmakers and their spouses were targeted in what Governor Tim Walz has described as a “politically motivated assassination.” Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home, while State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were wounded in a separate attack in Champlin, approximately nine miles away. Authorities are actively searching for the suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, who remains at large.

Details of the Attack

The attacks occurred in the early hours of Saturday, June 14, 2025. Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffman residence in Champlin around 2 a.m., finding Senator Hoffman and his wife with multiple gunshot wounds. Both underwent surgery and are expected to survive, with Governor Walz expressing cautious optimism about their recovery. Following the initial report, officers proactively checked on Representative Hortman’s home in Brooklyn Park, where they encountered a suspect posing as a police officer. The suspect, driving a vehicle resembling a police SUV, exchanged gunfire with officers before fleeing on foot.

Authorities recovered a manifesto and a target list from the suspect’s vehicle, which included the names of dozens of politicians, particularly those advocating for reproductive rights, as well as other officials and institutions. “No Kings” flyers, linked to nationwide protests against President Donald Trump’s policies, were also found, though no direct connection to the protests has been confirmed.

Suspect: Vance Luther Boelter

The suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, is considered armed and dangerous. Boelter, a former political appointee to Minnesota’s Workforce Development Board under Governors Mark Dayton and Tim Walz, allegedly impersonated a police officer during the attacks. He is linked to a security company, Praetorian Guard, and a DR Congo-based firm, Red Lion Group. The FBI has issued a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction, and a massive manhunt involving local, state, and federal agencies is underway. A shelter-in-place order was issued in Brooklyn Park, and residents were advised not to open doors unless two uniformed officers are present.

Political Reactions

Governor Tim Walz condemned the shootings as “targeted political violence,” calling the death of Melissa Hortman, a close friend and formidable public servant, an “unspeakable tragedy.” He urged Minnesotans to refrain from attending planned “No Kings” protests out of caution, leading to the cancellation of all such events in the state.

President Donald Trump issued a statement condemning the “terrible shooting,” describing it as a “targeted attack against state lawmakers.” He confirmed that Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are investigating, vowing to prosecute those responsible “to the fullest extent of the law.”

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar called the attacks “an attack on everything we stand for as a democracy,” emphasizing the need to condemn violence across all ideologies. Former Representative Gabrielle Giffords, a gun violence survivor, stated, “An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself.”

Context of Political Violence

The shootings come amid heightened political polarization in the United States, with recent incidents including an attempted assassination of Trump in July 2024, an arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home in April 2025, and a 2020 plot to kidnap Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. The Minnesota attacks have renewed calls to address the “toxic forces radicalizing individuals,” as stated by Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, who requested increased security for Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith.

Melissa Hortman’s Legacy

Melissa Hortman, 55, served as the top Democratic leader in the Minnesota House since 2017 and was House Speaker from 2019 to 2025. Known for her fierce advocacy, she led a three-week Democratic walkout in 2025 during a power struggle with Republicans. She leaves behind two children.