Gunman Impersonating Officer Kills Minnesota Lawmaker In Suspected ‘Politically Motivated Assassination’
Minnesota reels after Democratic Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband are fatally shot in a suspected political attack; Sen. John Hoffman and wife injured. FBI names Vance Boelter as suspect.
In a shocking and deeply tragic turn of events, Minnesota is reeling from what officials believe to be a politically motivated act of violence. Longtime Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in their home early Saturday morning. Another prominent Democrat, state senator John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, were also shot multiple times, though both have survived surgery and remain hospitalized.
Governor Walz Confirms Targeted Attack
Governor Tim Walz confirmed the news during a somber press conference, calling the double shooting “a politically motivated assassination.” Hortman, a towering figure in state politics and former Speaker of the Minnesota House, was described by Walz as “irreplaceable” and “a giant in Minnesota.” He added, “She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place.”
The assailant, who remains at large, posed as a police officer—dressed in an authentic-looking uniform and driving a vehicle outfitted to resemble a real squad car. Authorities in Brooklyn Park, where the shootings occurred, placed the area under a shelter-in-place order as the manhunt intensified.
FBI Names Vance Boelter as Suspect
The FBI has identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter and is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction. On Saturday afternoon, Boelter was officially added to the FBI’s most wanted list. In one of the images released, he appears in a full-head mask, wielding a flashlight and wearing a police-style vest—an image that underscores the elaborate nature of the impersonation.
Hit List Found in Vehicle
Inside Boelter’s vehicle, investigators uncovered a chilling discovery: a hit list naming elected officials and abortion rights advocates. While the motive is still under investigation, authorities confirmed that the victims were on the list. “This was targeted,” said Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, adding that it was too early to determine whether the attack was based solely on political affiliation.
Timeline of the Attacks
Police were first called around 2 a.m. to Hoffman’s home in Champlin, just outside Minneapolis, after he and his wife were found shot. About 90 minutes later, officers checked on Hortman’s residence nearby. Upon arrival, they spotted a police-like SUV in the driveway and a uniformed figure exiting the home. As officers approached, the impersonator opened fire and escaped out the back.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley described the level of deception in grim detail. “It was equipped with lights—emergency lights that looked exactly like a police vehicle—and yes, they were wearing a vest, Taser, other equipment, a badge very similar to mine. No question, if they were in this room, you would assume they are a police officer,” he said.
Officers discovered Mark Hortman with gunshot wounds inside the home and attempted life-saving measures, but he was pronounced dead shortly afterward. Using drones, police located Melissa Hortman inside the residence, also deceased.
As investigators dig into Boelter’s past, a picture of a man with deep—if complex—ties to Minnesota politics is emerging. He was appointed to the state’s workforce development board in both 2016 and 2019 under different governors. His bio lists involvement in global security efforts, including operations in Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East.
Evangelical Links and Disturbing Final Message
Boelter also held the title of CEO of the now-defunct Red Lion Group, a DR Congo-based industrial firm. Separately, he founded a Christian evangelical ministry called Revoformation, where he claimed to have “sought out militant Islamists in order to share the gospel.” Following the attacks, Boelter’s roommate revealed a chilling message he had received: “I made some choices, and you guys don’t know anything about this, but I’m going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly.”
Minnesota’s Political Community in Mourning
The violence has cast a long shadow over Minnesota’s political community. Senator Amy Klobuchar reflected on the devastation in an interview with NBC, saying, “It’s just a time of mourning for us. It’s a shock. Many of us were with her last night at a dinner in Minnesota.” Hortman, Klobuchar said, had no aspirations for national politics—she simply worked tirelessly for her constituents. “She was not even a divisive character, a complete and total public servant,” echoed Kristin Cheronis, who held up a handmade sign at a rally reading “Thank you, Melissa.”
Despite heightened tensions, the planned “No Kings” protests against the Trump administration proceeded near the state capitol, even as other events across Minnesota were canceled. State officials urged people to stay home for safety, especially after flyers linked to the “No Kings” movement were found in the suspect’s car. Still, thousands turned out to march through St. Paul, with organizers honoring the victims on stage.
Leaders Respond to Threat Against Democracy
“This is a dark day today for Minnesota and for democracy,” said Bob Jacobson, commissioner of the state’s Department of Public Safety. Security measures for public officials across the state have since been ramped up. Donald Trump issued a statement condemning the violence as a “targeted attack against state lawmakers,” adding that “such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America.”
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