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By Hollie Silverman, Peter Aitken, and Mandy Taheri
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Minnesota Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed early Saturday morning in an act of "targeted political violence," Governor Tim Walz said during a press conference Saturday.
Earlier this week, Hortman provided the sole Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party vote on HF1, a bill amending the state's MinnesotaCare coverage eligibility.
The bill, which passed the House on June 12, enforces citizenship requirements to obtain the state's Medicaid program coverage, stripping adult undocumented immigrants of publicly funded health care.
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Why It Matters
Hortman and her husband, Mark, were pronounced dead Saturday morning after a gunman posing as law enforcement arrived at their home in the early hours and shot them. Walz called the shooting "a politically motivated assassination."
The gunman, who remains at large, had targeted the home of another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, shortly before the attack on the Hortmans. Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot multiple times and underwent surgery.
Walz, the Democratic nominee for vice president last year, said the killing was politically motivated without elaborating.
Hortman provided the sole Democratic vote in Minnesota's lower chamber to pass a Republican bill that would strip adult undocumented migrants of state-funded healthcare. The bill passed the House in a 68-65 vote, with Hortman's vote helping Republicans secure its passage, which left Hortman in tears.
The vote took place against an increasingly violent backlash to the Trump administration's tough immigration policies. Protests in Los Angeles erupted into rioting last weekend and "No Kings" protests were planned in cities across the country on Saturday, President Donald Trump's 79th birthday.
Minnesota State Police said they had found "No Kings" flyers in the suspect's car, and the "No Kings" protests across the state have been cancelled.
State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic asked people "out of an abundance of caution" not to attend any of the "No Kings" protests that were scheduled for across the state on Saturday, although she added that no direct evidence showed the protests would be targeted.
Who Is Melissa Hortman?
Hortman, who was the House DFL Caucus Leader, had a distinguished career in the Minnesota House. She previously served as speaker from 2019 until early 2025. First elected in 2004, she was in her 11th term.
Hortman was an attorney who earned her law degree from the University of Minnesota and a master's in public administration from Harvard University's Kennedy School of Government. Hortman and her husband shared two children together, Colin and Sophie.
She got her start in politics working for then-Senators Al Gore and John Kerry in Washington D.C. She is from the Twin Cities and grew up working at her family's used auto parts company, according to The Minnesota Star Tribune.
Who Is John Hoffman?
Hoffman, also a member of the DFL Party, has held his seat representing the 34th district since being elected in 2012. He served as minority whip from 2017 to 2020, and currently is the chair of the Human Services Committee.
According to public voting records, Hoffman voted against the bill amending Medicaid eligibility when it came before the state Senate. The bill was presented to Walz on June 12.
Hoffman has one child with his wife, a daughter named Hope. He attended St. Mary's College, where he obtained a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology, and later obtained an advanced certificate in energy policy at the University of Idaho.
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What To Know
At approximately 3:45 a.m. local time on Saturday, the local Brooklyn Park police were called and "proactively" went to Hortman's house following a shooting at Hoffman's house earlier, Brooklyn Park police chief Mark Bruley said at the press conference.
When police officers showed up at Hortman's house "they noticed that there was a police vehicle in the driveway with the lights, emergency lights on, and what appeared to be a police officer at the door coming out of the house."
However, that individual, later identified as Vance Boelter, was "not a real police officer, this is somebody that clearly had been impersonating a police officer," Bruley noted.
"When our officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gun fire," the police chief said. The individual then escaped, believed to have escaped outside the back of the house. Bruley also noted that the suspect drove a vehicle that "looked exactly like an SUV squad car."
"Speaker Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor, and a sense of service. She was a formidable public servant, a fixture, and a giant in Minnesota," Walz said.
"This is a dark day today for Minnesota, and for democracy," Bob Jacobson, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, said during Saturday's press conference.
Prior to arriving at the Hortmans house, Boelter appeared at Hoffman's house around 2 a.m. local time. Jacobson noted that the "suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, that our uniforms are met to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility."
Who Is Vance Boelter?
Boelter has an extensive professional background spanning security, international business, and workforce development.
According to Minnesota Africans United (MAU), he holds a doctorate in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service from Cardinal Stritch University and has worked for major corporations including Nestle, Del Monte, and Marathon Speedway.
Corporate records obtained by AP show Boelter's wife filed to create Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC with the same Green Isle mailing address listed for the couple.
Boelter also previously served on Minnesota's Governor's Workforce Development Board, appointed by Governor Mark Dayton in 2016 and reappointed by Walz in 2019. However, the governor's office appoints thousands of people of all parties to these boards and commissions, and that particular board has about 60 people on it.
Boelter registered to vote as a Republican in the early 2000s, state records show, according to CNN.
'No Kings' Protests Cancelled In Minnesota
The group "No Kings" organized nationwide protests in the wake of Trump's deportations and his subsequent decision to deploy the National Guard and Marines to Los Angeles as residents tried to protest the activity of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in the city. The protests took place on Saturday, but the group cancelled protests in Minnesota after the news of Hortman's assassination.
In a statement emailed to Newsweek, Eunic Epstein-Ortiz, national spokesperson for "No Kings" said: "Out of an abundance of caution and in adherence to guidance from Governor Walz and the Minnesota State Patrol, all remaining No Kings events in Minnesota are being canceled immediately. This decision comes in light of the ongoing shelter-in-place order and the tragic shooting that targeted two elected officials and their spouses. We are doing this in accordance with local and state guidance given the suspect is still at large impersonating a police officer."
"Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the communities shaken by this violence," Epstein-Ortiz continued. "We are in close contact with our hosts, attendees, and state and local officials and remain committed to ensuring all other events around the country proceed peacefully and safely."
Texas Lawmakers Evacuated From Capitol Protest Amid 'Credible Threat'
Lawmakers who gathered in Austin to participate in the "No Kings" protest in that city received a notification from the Texas Department of Public Safety (DPS) warning of a "credible threat" that required extreme caution and an evacuation of the area.
"A credible threat towards state legislators attending today's protest at the state Capitol has been identified by Capital Region DPS," the notice stated. "We are working with our law enforcement partners and are leveraging all available resources to address this threat. Additional updates will be provided as information is developed."
The notice cited the death of Hortman and the attack on Hoffman as well as the manifesto and list of names found in the suspects car, which authorities have taken as "indicating a broader threat to lawmakers."
"Please remain vigilant, report any suspicious activity, and don't hesitate to reach out if you have concerns," the notice added.
Texas DPS temporarily closed the Capitol and Capitol Grounds, stressing the agency's " Duty to protect the people and property of Texas ," and stating that the agency will collaborate with all local, state, and federal partners to ensure the safety of citizens and state property, "as well as to protect individuals exercising their constitutional rights to assemble and free speech.
What People Are Saying
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz wrote in a statement posted to X on Saturday afternoon: " Today Minnesota lost a great leader, and I lost a friend. A formidable public servant and a fixture of the state capital, Melissa Hortman woke up every day determined to make our state a better place. She served the people of Minnesota with Grace, compassion, and tirelessness. Minnesota's thoughts are with her loved ones, and my prayers are with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were shot and wounded and are being treated."
"We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint. We have demonstrated again and again in our state that it is possible to peacefully disagree, that our state is strengthened by civil public debate," Walz wrote. "We must stand united against all forms of violence - And I call on everyone to join me in that commitment. To the responding officers, thank you for your bravery and your swift action. A State Bureau of criminal apprehension investigation is underway, and we will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice. Will not let fear win."
President Donald Trump in a post on the White House Press Secretary X account said: "I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!"
Mayor Justin M. Bibb, president of the Democratic Mayors Association said in a statement obtained by Newsweek: "We are horrified and devastated by the horrendous targeted shooting of Minnesota lawmakers, Senator John Hoffman and Representative Melissa Hortman, and their spouses. We're holding them, their families, and all those impacted in our thoughts and in our hearts, and praying for Senator Hoffman and his wife's recovery. Violence has no place in our politics or society."
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison wrote in a post on X: "The Attorney General's Office will do whatever it can to assist law enforcement in their investigation. My heart goes out to Melissa's and Mark's two children and their families."
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said in an X post Saturday: "I am heartbroken and horrified by the tragic loss of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were taken from us in an act of violence. Melissa was a good friend and we started in politics at the same time and were always there for each other. She was a true public servant to the core, dedicating her life to serving Minnesotans with integrity and compassion. Melissa's legacy will endure, but today we grieve deeply. John's and my prayers are with their children, their loved ones, and all who are mourning this devastating loss."
In a later post, Klobuchar wrote: "The governor is asking people in Minnesota not to attend rallies today until this murderer is apprehended. This is the right call for public safety. It isn't about the rallies themselves...it's because there's a killer who knows no limits who hasn't yet been apprehended and law enforcement is focused on keeping people safe."
Senator Chuck Grassley, an Iowa Republican, said in an X post Saturday: "Horrible news in our neighbor to the north/MN w the targeting of public servants Violence is never the answer I hope suspect is caught & swiftly brought to justice."
Charlie Kirk, a conservative and founder and president of Turning Point USA, wrote in an X post about Walz: "Total shocker that smearing a duly-elected president who won an overwhelming electoral mandate as a fascist or a king leads to violent political radicalization."
Conservative journalist Nick Sortor wrote in an X post: "Boelter was a TIM WALZ appointee to one of the governor's boards. WHAT A SHOCK – he's connected to TIM WALZ."
What Happens Next?
Anyone who sees any suspicious activity, "especially involving individuals impersonating law enforcement, please report it immediately," Jacobson said.
This remains an active investigation, and thousands of people have been told to shelter in place in the city of Brooklyn Park.
The organizers of the "No Kings" protest in northeast Minneapolis has canceled the Saturday protest due to the shooting and subsequent shelter-in-place order.
"Right now, we are in an extensive manhunt involving hundreds and hundreds of police officers and SWAT teams," officials said at the press conference.
Update 6/15/25, 10:42 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 6/14/25, 4:00 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 6/14/25, 2:21 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional comment.
Update 6/14/25, 2:05 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 6/14/25, 1:58 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 6/14/25, 12:53 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 6/14/25, 12:27 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 6/14/25, 12:09 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
Update 6/14/25, 11:37 a.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information.
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