Manhunt Underway Following Murder of Minnesota Lawmaker in Suspected Political Violence
Hundreds of law enforcement officers seek the primary suspect in a violent attack that also left another local politician and his wife seriously injured.
A manhunt is currently ongoing for the suspect in the murder of Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota state lawmaker who was shot at her home in what Governor Tim Walz condemned as a "deliberate act of political violence." The incident occurred early Saturday morning, where another local elected official, Senator John Hoffman, and his wife were also targeted and sustained serious injuries.
The police have identified Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old white man, as the primary suspect.
He is considered "armed and dangerous," according to Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, who urged residents to help locate the suspect while exercising caution.
Authorities reported that Boelter was last seen wearing a light-colored cowboy hat.
The brutal attack comes at a time of heightened tensions across the United States, where deployments of soldiers in Los Angeles to manage protests and military parades in Washington have been reported.
In the wake of the shooting, security has been increased for elected officials identified on a list found in Boelter's vehicle, which included the names of other local officials.
Witness accounts indicate that around 2:00 AM local time, the assailant first fired upon John Hoffman and his wife at their residence in Champlin, resulting in multiple gunshot wounds.
Both victims were subsequently hospitalized, and Governor Walz expressed optimism regarding their recovery, stating, "we are reasonably confident they will survive this assassination attempt."
Following the altercation at Hoffman’s home, police proceeded to check on Melissa Hortman’s residence in Brooklyn Park at approximately 3:30 AM, where they encountered the assailant.
During the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was able to flee, leaving his vehicle behind as he escaped.
While the police have not yet determined a motive for the attack, they reported that Boelter's car contained pamphlets related to anti-Trump protests, revealing a deeper context to the incident.
A planned anti-Trump rally nearby was subsequently cancelled by the organizers.
Melissa Hortman served in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2004, previously holding the position of Speaker.
She was 55 years old and a mother of two, with Governor Walz noting that she would be "irreplaceable."
In reaction to the shooting, political leaders across the spectrum condemned the violence, with former President Donald Trump labeling the attack as "terrible" and his Justice Secretary affirming that such political violence would not be tolerated.
Senator Amy Klobuchar remarked on Hortman's contributions to the state, expressing that she had "dedicated her life to serving the people of Minnesota with integrity and compassion."
The recent attack on Hortman is part of a worrying trend of violence against political figures in the United States, including a near-assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a campaign event last July and an attack on the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2022.
The police have identified Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old white man, as the primary suspect.
He is considered "armed and dangerous," according to Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, who urged residents to help locate the suspect while exercising caution.
Authorities reported that Boelter was last seen wearing a light-colored cowboy hat.
The brutal attack comes at a time of heightened tensions across the United States, where deployments of soldiers in Los Angeles to manage protests and military parades in Washington have been reported.
In the wake of the shooting, security has been increased for elected officials identified on a list found in Boelter's vehicle, which included the names of other local officials.
Witness accounts indicate that around 2:00 AM local time, the assailant first fired upon John Hoffman and his wife at their residence in Champlin, resulting in multiple gunshot wounds.
Both victims were subsequently hospitalized, and Governor Walz expressed optimism regarding their recovery, stating, "we are reasonably confident they will survive this assassination attempt."
Following the altercation at Hoffman’s home, police proceeded to check on Melissa Hortman’s residence in Brooklyn Park at approximately 3:30 AM, where they encountered the assailant.
During the exchange of gunfire, the suspect was able to flee, leaving his vehicle behind as he escaped.
While the police have not yet determined a motive for the attack, they reported that Boelter's car contained pamphlets related to anti-Trump protests, revealing a deeper context to the incident.
A planned anti-Trump rally nearby was subsequently cancelled by the organizers.
Melissa Hortman served in the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2004, previously holding the position of Speaker.
She was 55 years old and a mother of two, with Governor Walz noting that she would be "irreplaceable."
In reaction to the shooting, political leaders across the spectrum condemned the violence, with former President Donald Trump labeling the attack as "terrible" and his Justice Secretary affirming that such political violence would not be tolerated.
Senator Amy Klobuchar remarked on Hortman's contributions to the state, expressing that she had "dedicated her life to serving the people of Minnesota with integrity and compassion."
The recent attack on Hortman is part of a worrying trend of violence against political figures in the United States, including a near-assassination attempt on Donald Trump during a campaign event last July and an attack on the husband of former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2022.
