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A suspect allegedly posing as a police officer killed State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband in a targeted attack.
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. — State Rep. and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park and her husband, Mark, were killed early Saturday morning in what officials are calling “targeted” attacks by a suspect posing as a law enforcement officer. State Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times at their home but are recovering, according to Gov. Tim Walz.
The shootings took place at the lawmakers’ homes in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, prompting a massive manhunt and shelter-in-place orders for thousands of residents.
The Associated Press has identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter. The suspect remains at large and is described as a white male with brown hair wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants.
Here is what we know about the Minnesota Lawmaker Attacks
Timeline of Events
- 2 a.m. – Shooting reported at Sen. Hoffman’s Champlin home
- 3:35 a.m. – Brooklyn Park officers arrive at Rep. Hortman’s home for welfare check
- Officers encounter suspect exiting the home dressed as police officer
- Gunfire exchanged; suspect retreats inside then flees on foot
- Suspect’s vehicle recovered; manhunt continues
Sen. John Hoffman and wife Yvette shot
- Shot multiple times at their Champlin home around 2 a.m.
- Both underwent surgery for gunshot wounds
- Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said both are alive but in “difficult condition”
- Officials expressed cautious optimism about their recovery
- Yvette Hoffman reportedly used her body to shield her adult daughter from gunfire.
Rep. Melissa Hortman and husband Mark killed
- Both killed at their Brooklyn Park home
- Brooklyn Park Police Chief Bruley said after learning of the Hoffman shooting, “that very intuitive sergeant asked our officers to go check on Melissa Hortman’s home”
- Officers found Mark Hortman shot near the doorway after exchanging gunfire with the suspect
- After surrounding the house and bringing in SWAT resources, officers used a drone to identify Rep. Hoffman inside the home.
- The Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed the Hortmans both died from multiple gunshot wounds, the manner of which was homicide.
Suspect identified, manhunt underway
The Associated Press has identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who remains at large.
Boelter is a white man with brown hair, wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants. State records show that Boelter served on the same state board as Sen. Hoffman.
The FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for information about Vance Boelter’s whereabouts.
A photo from shared from the FBI was taken by a security camera outside a home Saturday morning. In it, Boelter is wearing what appears to be a mask.
A KARE 11 crew from Hortman’s home captured an SUV with a license plate that said “POLICE” being towed from the scene.
When Brooklyn Park officers arrived at Rep. Hortman’s home, they said they noticed a police vehicle in the driveway with emergency lights on and what appeared to be a police officer coming out of the house, according to Chief Bruley.
“When our officers confronted them, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire and the suspect retreated back into the home,” Bruley said.
The suspect then fled out the back of the house on foot, abandoning the vehicle. Officers made “limited penetration” into the home to pull Mark Hortman to safety and attempt first aid, but he was pronounced dead shortly after.
Police impersonation tactics:
- Drove an SUV equipped with emergency lights that looked exactly like a police vehicle
- Wore a police vest, badge, taser and other equipment
- Knocked on doors asking residents to come outside while posing as law enforcement
- Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect used “the trust of this badge and this uniform to manipulate their way into the home.”
Suspect’s manifesto
Brooklyn Park police say they discovered a manifesto in the suspect’s abandoned vehicle that identified multiple lawmakers and other officials, according to Chief Bruley. Those named on the list have been alerted and provided security.
“There was a list of individuals and the individuals that were targeted in the situation were on that list,” Superintendent Evans said at a Saturday morning news conference.
The manhunt involves hundreds of officers from Brooklyn Park Police, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, FBI, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office and State Patrol.
Public Safety Alert
Brooklyn Park Police have lifted a shelter-in-place alert that was in place surrounding Rep. Hortman’s home. An alert sent to residents said authorities believe the suspect is no longer in the area.
Full coverage:
Rep. Melissa Hortman killed in targeted attack; Sen. John Hoffman shot
State Rep. Melissa Hortman dies at 55 in ‘targeted’ attack
Gov. Walz, Minnesota State Patrol asks people not to attend ‘No Kings’ protests after lawmaker shootings
Brooklyn Park Police manhunt: Do not answer door for police officer who is alone
