Two Minnesota lawmakers shot, suspect identified
UPDATE (5:24 PM): According to three people familiar with the investigation, the suspect has been identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter.
Boelter is reportedly from Green Isle, Minnesota, and according to an NBC affiliate in the Twin Cities area, authorities were at the home reportedly belonging to the suspect.
"We still don't know if additional people are involved, but this individual is the one that we are looking as a person of interest right now but there may be other people with him and we would like to speak to anybody that may have had contact with him at any point and time," said Drew Evans, Superintendent with the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Superintendent Evans, during a press conference Saturday afternoon, said State Senator John Hoffman and his wife are out of surgery and are expected to survive.
(NBC, KYMA/KECY) - Two Minnesota lawmakers were shot in what law enforcement is calling targeted attacks Saturday morning.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot at their home in Brooklyn Park following an earlier attack in Champlin that injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
Police say the attacks were politically motivated and carried out by a suspect impersonating law enforcement.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz held a press conference to provide an update on the shootings, along with several law enforcement officials.
"Our state lost a great leader, and I lost a dearest of friends. 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. She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place. She is irreplaceable, and we've been missed by so many.
My prayers also go out to state senator john Hoffman and his wife of that who were each shot multiple times. The Hoffmans are out of surgery at this time and receiving care, and we're cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt."
Gov. Tim Walz (D-Minn.)
Heather Williams, President of the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee (DLCC), issued the following statement in response to the shootings:
"I am horrified to hear about the shooting of two champions for Minnesota families, and am absolutely devastated about the passing of DLCC Board Member and Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman was an outspoken advocate for her community who never tired in her fight to deliver for Minnesota's working families. As a DLCC board member, Speaker Emerita Hortman was an invaluable leader helping to empower and build the next generation of Democratic state legislative leaders. She will be remembered as a tireless public servant, a mother, and a dear friend. Political violence is never the answer. We are praying for the full recovery of Senator Hoffman and his wife and are keeping the Speaker Emerita's and Senator's friends, families, and colleagues in our thoughts."
President Donald Trump has been briefed on the shootings. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are assisting in the investigation.
A large-scale manhunt is now underway.
