Minnesota was rocked by a devastating act of political violence that claimed the lives of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their Brooklyn Park home.

In a related incident, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and wounded in their Champlin residence, just miles away.

Authorities have identified 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter of Green Isle, Minnesota, as the suspect in these targeted attacks, which Governor Tim Walz described as a “politically motivated assassination.”

A manhunt is underway, with law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, scouring the Minneapolis suburbs for Boelter, who remains at large.

According to officials, the suspect impersonated a police officer, using a vehicle equipped with emergency lights and wearing a convincing uniform complete with a badge and tactical gear.

The sequence of events began around 2 a.m. when Champlin police responded to a 911 call reporting that Senator Hoffman and his wife had been shot multiple times.

Both survived and are recovering after surgery, with Walz expressing cautious optimism about their prognosis. Prompted by this incident, Brooklyn Park police proactively checked on Representative Hortman at approximately 3:35 a.m.

Upon arrival, they encountered Boelter exiting Hortman’s home. He immediately opened fire on the officers, who returned gunfire, but Boelter escaped on foot after retreating through the residence. Inside, police found Hortman and her husband fatally wounded.

A search of Boelter’s vehicle revealed chilling evidence: a “manifesto” containing a list of nearly 70 names, including lawmakers, abortion providers, and pro-abortion rights advocates.

Among those named were prominent Minnesota Democrats such as Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, U.S. Senator Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison, many of whom have been vocal supporters of abortion rights.

Sources familiar with the investigation confirmed that the list specifically targeted abortion rights supporters, suggesting a motive rooted in ideological opposition to pro-choice policies.

Additionally, authorities found fliers linked to the “No Kings” protests, a series of demonstrations planned across the U.S. to oppose President Donald Trump’s administration.

While no direct connection to the protests has been established, Minnesota officials canceled all “No Kings” events in the state out of caution, and a shelter-in-place order was issued for a three-mile radius around Brooklyn Park’s Edinburgh Golf Course.

Melissa Hortman, 55, was a towering figure in Minnesota politics. Serving as House Speaker from 2019 to 2025, she was instrumental in advancing a historic 2023 legislative session that saw Democrats codify abortion rights, legalize recreational marijuana, and implement universal free school lunches.

Known for her sharp intellect and ability to bridge divides within her party, Hortman was a respected leader who represented House District 34B with unwavering dedication.

Her husband, Mark, shared her commitment to family and community, leaving behind two adult children. Governor Walz, visibly emotional, called Hortman “irreplaceable” and a “formidable public servant,” mourning the loss of a close friend and colleague.

The attacks have sent shockwaves through Minnesota and beyond, prompting an outpouring of grief and condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum.

U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar described Hortman as a “true public servant to the core,” while House Speaker Mike Johnson and Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries denounced the violence as an attack on democracy itself.

Former Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, a survivor of political violence, emphasized the need to confront “violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.”

President Donald Trump condemned the shootings, stating that the FBI and Attorney General Pam Bondi are investigating and will prosecute those responsible “to the fullest extent of the law.”

The shootings come at a time of heightened political tension in the United States. Recent years have seen a rise in attacks on public officials, including the attempted kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer in 2020 and an assassination attempt on then-candidate Trump in 2024.

The discovery of “No Kings” fliers in Boelter’s vehicle has raised concerns about the potential intersection of these attacks with broader anti-government sentiment, though authorities stress there is no confirmed link to the protests.

In Texas, a separate “credible threat” against state lawmakers led to the evacuation of the state capitol, underscoring the national scope of the issue.

As the manhunt for Boelter continues, law enforcement has released a description of the suspect: a 57-year-old white male, 6’1”, 220 pounds, with brown hair.

Boelter, who reportedly works for Praetorian Guard Security and has a background in security operations, is considered armed and dangerous.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has deployed additional police resources to protect public officials and assist in the search. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, alongside federal agencies, is leading the investigation, which has already detained and questioned several individuals, though no arrests have been made.