Manhunt underway for suspect who shot 2 Minnesota lawmakers in alleged targeted attacks
Gov. Walz described the shootings as “targeted political violence”
MINNEAPOLIS (Gray News) - A manhunt is underway after two Minnesota lawmakers were shot in their homes by a man impersonating a police officer early Saturday morning.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz confirmed Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their home in Brooklyn Park.
“Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends,” Walz said during a press conference with the Minnesota Department of Public Safety.
Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot multiple times in their home, Walz reported. Hoffman and his wife were hospitalized and underwent surgery. Walz said they both expected to survive.
“We are cautiously optimistic that they will survive this assassination attempt,” he said.
Law enforcement officials said during a press conference that at about 2 a.m., officers were responding to a call of a shooting at the home of Sen. Hoffman.
While responding, they were asked to check on Hortman’s house. When they arrived, they saw an SUV equipped with lights, mimicking a squad vehicle, and were confronted by a man who then fired at police before retreating into the home.
Police Chief Mark Bruley said police returned fire, but the man then fled out the back of the house. He has not been captured.
Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson reported likely gained entrance by impersonating a police officer.
“Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility,” he said.
Walz called the attacks on the Democratic legislators an “act of targeted political violence.”
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety reported they found a manifesto while searching the suspect’s vehicle that had a list of other state lawmakers.
“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz said.
Sources have told the Associated Press the suspect has been identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter. He is considered to be armed and dangerous.
Law enforcement found several AK-style firearms in his vehicle, an anonymous source told AP. Police believe he is still armed with a pistol.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter.
A shelter-in-place order was issued, and residents are asked not to approach him and to call 911. Since the man is impersonating law enforcement, Minnesota DPS told residents not to answer the door unless they see two police officers or to call 911 to confirm the identity of the officers.
“Those responsible for this will be held able,” Walz said. “Each and every one of us are committed to making sure that a tragedy like this never repeats itself.”
Minnesota State Patrol asked people not to attend any of the “No Kings” protests scheduled to take place across the state after finding several flyers for the demonstrations inside the suspect’s vehicle.
“Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution,” the organization posted online.
Organizers have since canceled the events. State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said authorities did not have any direct evidence that the protests would be targeted.
The FBI is assisting local and state agencies with the investigation, both President Donald Trump and Attorney General Pam Bondi confirmed.
“This horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Bondi said in a post.
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer said in a statement that he has asked Capitol Police to “immediately increase” security for Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, who both represent Minnesota.
“As we continue to follow this terrifying situation, I urge everyone to stay safe, stay vigilant, and reject political violence in all its forms,” he said.
KBJR reported local law enforcement and Capitol Security are posted outside the homes of lawmakers in the Twin Cities and that Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth has a marked vehicle outside her home.
She said in a statement that she is “heartbroken beyond words” by the shootings.
“With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,” Demuth said.
Hortman was first elected to the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2004. A former House speaker, Hortman was serving as House DFL Caucus leader.
Hoffman has served in the Minnesota State Senate since 2012 and runs a consulting firm, Hoffman Strategic Advisors.
Copyright 2025 Gray Local Media, Inc. All rights reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
