Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman & Husband Killed & State Sen. John Hoffman & Wife Injured In ‘Targeted Political Violence’

Saturday, June 14, 2025, 2:30 P.M. ET. 3 Minute Read, By Jennifer Hodges & Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

CHAMPLIN, MN.- Minnesota Governor Tim Walz reported that a Minnesota State representative and her husband were shot and killed, and a State senator and his wife were shot and gravely wounded in an apparent “act of targeted political violence” inside their homes in the early morning hours of Saturday.

     Minnesota law enforcement has confirmed that a statewide manhunt is underway for the gunman who was impersonating a police officer when he arrived at their homes, which were just around six miles apart. Police reported that they were also seeking additional persons of interest in the shootings. 

     During an early press conference, Gov. Walz stated Democratic State Representative Melissa Horton and her husband were shot and killed and killed in what appears to be a “politically motivated assassination.” Hortman, formerly the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, “was a formidable public servant,” Governor Walz spoke of his friend. “She is irreplaceable.” 

     State Democratic Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times and underwent surgery, the governor added. “We’re cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt,” Gov. Walz said.

     The two shooting locations are just a few miles apart from each other in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Both locations are just north of Minneapolis.

According To The Initial Police Reports

     According to Drew Evans, Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, on Saturday, June 14, 2025, just shortly around 2:00 a.m., members of the Champlin Police Department responded to a report of a shooting at State Senator Hoffman’s home. Upon arrival, Police Officers found the Senator and his wife suffering each suffering from multiple gunshot wounds. Both victims were immediately transported to a hospital, where they underwent surgery and were listed in critical condition.

     After Hoffman and his wife were shot, just shortly after 3:30 a.m., on Saturday, June 14, 2025, during what was reported as a pro-activity check, members of the Brooklyn Park Department arrived at the Hortman’s Brooklyn Park home when they encountered a person who was dressed as a police officer, wearing a vest and badge, and with a Taser and other equipment, at the door exiting out of Hortman’s home.

     Upon encounter, the suspect opened fire and exchanged gunfire with Police Officers before fleeing back into the home and escaping out the back of the residence on foot. The suspect’s vehicle, which resembled a police vehicle, had flashing police lights that were activated and was left in the Horton’s driveway as the suspect fled on foot into the woods behind the home. Police Officers then entered the house and found Rep Horton and her husband, Fatally, shot.

Suspect Identified

     Police recovered a list of other possible targets, including many other lawmakers, inside the suspect’s Sport Utility Vehicle, which has been identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter of Minnesota. Police reported that they also recovered a manifesto from inside the vehicle that had writings revealing he was against both the Democratic and Republican parties.

President Trump Briefed On The Shootings

     President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shootings and said, “Such horrific violence will not be tolerated,” White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted on Social Media.

     U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant FBI Director Dan Bongino said they were closely monitoring the situation. “This horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Pam Bondi said in a statement.

     According to the AP, Boelter, whose address is in Green Isle, Minnesota, was twice appointed to the Governor’s Workforce Development Council: first in 2016 by then-Governor Mark Dayton and again in 2019 by Governor Walz. Boelter’s most recent term expired in January 2023.

     “This is a developing story and will be updated as soon as we can confirm reporting and facts surrounding this tragic incident.”