Kerry Breen is a news editor at CBSNews.com. A graduate of New York University's Arthur L. Carter School of Journalism, she previously worked at NBC News' TODAY Digital. She covers current events, breaking news and issues including substance use.
Authorities are investigating after targeted shootings left one Minnesota lawmaker dead and another injured. Gov. Tim Walz called the shootings "politically motivated" in a news briefing on Saturday.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, John, were fatally shot at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Walz said. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded at their home in Champlin, a suburb of Minneapolis. Investigators said the shooter was dressed as a police officer.
A suspect sought by investigators in connection with the Minnesota shootings was identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, authorities said.
Here's what officials have said about the targeted attacks.
Police first responded to a call of a shooting at Hoffman's home in Champlin at around 2 a.m. local time Saturday, Drew Evans, the superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said in the briefing. Life-saving measures were provided to Hoffman and his wife and they were taken to an area hospital, where they underwent surgery to treat gunshot wounds, Evans said.
Brooklyn Park police went proactively to Hortman's home after learning about the shooting at the Hoffman property, Brooklyn Park police chief Mark Bruley said. Hortman's home is about five miles from Hoffman's.
Two Brooklyn Park police officers went to Hortman's home and saw what appeared to be a police vehicle parked in front of the house with its emergency lights on and a police officer leaving the house, Bruley said. The vehicle "looked exactly like an SUV squad car," equipped with emergency lights, Bruley said. The individual was wearing a vest with a Taser, badge and other equipment, Bruley said. Bruley said the individual appeared to have knocked on the door of the home.
The Brooklyn Park officers confronted the individual, who Burley said "immediately" fired and exchanged gunshots with officers, Bruley said. The individual then retreated into the home, Bruley said. The police officers then entered the home and saw that Hortman's husband had been shot. They attempted to render first aid, but he was pronounced dead. A drone was then used to search the rest of the home and found Hortman dead inside.
Bruley said the individual was "clearly" impersonating a police officer and had used "the trust of this badge and this uniform to manipulate their way into the home." A search of the individual's vehicle found a document that named other lawmakers and officials, Bruley said. Evans said both Hoffman and Hortman were included on the list but he did not elaborate on any other names.
A stack of "No Kings" flyers was also found inside the vehicle, the Minnesota State Patrol said on social media. The flyers reference the anti-Trump protests that are planned in cities nationwide on Saturday. After the shooting, statewide "No Kings" events planned for Minnesota were canceled. Earlier in the day, the Minnesota State Patrol asked that people planning to attend the events avoid them out of an abundance of caution.
Investigators have identified 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as the suspect in the shootings. He was last seen Saturday morning wearing a cowboy hat at a business in Minneapolis and he changed his clothes, authorities said at a news conference. Investigators said that they believe Boelter is attempting to flee the Twin Cities area.
Authorities described Boelter as a White man with brown hair. He was wearing blue shirt, blue pants and black tactical vest at time of shootings, CBS Minnesota reported. Doorbell camera footage from home of one of the victims showed suspect appearing to be wearing mask.
At the news conference Saturday, investigators confirmed that Boelter is employed at a security firm. He is listed as director of security patrols on the website of Praetorian Guard Security Services, where his wife is named president and CEO. In a profile on the website of Minnesota Africans United, which is no longer active, he is also described as the company's CEO.
In a LinkedIn post last month, Boelter said he was "looking to get back into the U.S. Food Industry" after spending three years on projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo with a company where he has been listed as chief executive since 2021. In an undated video posted online, he said that while working to develop projects in Congo, he started working at Minnesota funeral homes "to help pay the bills."
Minnesota officials urged the public to reach out with any tips and said Boelter should be considered armed and dangerous. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is asked to call the tipline at 877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us.
Sources said there was an extensive list of possible targets among writings found in his vehicle -- more than 50 individuals, some of them officials beyond Minnesota, including abortion rights advocates and abortion facilities.
Minnesota police agencies and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension are leading the investigation, with assistance from federal agencies including the Federal Bureau of Investigation and Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives. U.S. Marshals have also joined the manhunt, CBS News learned.
Several people have been detained and questioned, Bruley said, and police have identified "people of interest," but a suspect is not in custody.
A shelter-in-place order issued for Brooklyn Park in a three-mile radius around the suburb's Edinburgh Golf Course was later lifted Saturday afternoon because there's "reason to believe suspect is no longer in the area," an emergency alert read.
Increased security has been ordered for elected officials and others who may be at risk, he said.
Boelter served on a Minnesota state board with Hoffman, records obtained by CBS News show.
Boelter was first appointed to the Minnesota Governor's Workforce Development Board in 2016 by then-Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton as a private-sector representative, with a term lasting through 2019, according to state records. Walz reappointed him that year as a business member, a position he held until January 2023.
Records show that Hoffman served on the 60-member board during both of Boelter's terms. Of the board's members, 41 are appointed by the governor; legislative leaders name two state senators and two representatives.
The board advises the governor and legislature on policies aimed at strengthening Minnesota's workforce and improving its competitiveness, according to its website.
In a news conference Saturday, authorities said they were investigating whether Boelter knew Hoffman or Hortman.
Evans said there is "certainly some overlap with some public meetings" between Hoffman and Boelter but that they had not determined "the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other."
In a post on LinkedIn on the day of the 2018 midterm elections, Boelter posted about the importance of voting in elections.
"I am very big on just telling people to be a part of the process and vote your values and be part of this adventure we are all a part of living in the United States of America," he wrote.
Hortman, 55, represented Minnesota House District 34B. She was the top House Democratic leader in the state Legislature and a former House speaker. A lawyer, Hortman was first elected to office in 2004. She and her husband John have two children according to the Associated Press.
Walz called the deaths of Hortman and her husband "a political assassination." In a later statement, Walz said that Minnesota had lost a "great leader" and that he had "lost a friend."
"A formidable public servant and a fixture of the state Capitol, 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," Walz said.
DNC Chair Ken Martin, who was the chair of the state Democratic Party in Minnesota for 14 years, said Hortman was a "close friend" whom he had known since the start of his political career.
"As I said many times when I introduced her at events, she is the very best Speaker of the House that Minnesota has ever had," Martin said.
Until Hortman was killed, the Minnesota state House was evenly divided 67-67. In the state Senate, Democrats hold a one-seat majority.
Hoffman, 60, represents Minnesota Senate District 34, which covers a swath of northwest Twin Cities suburbs. He was first elected in 2012 and has been reelected three times.
He served as chair of the Human Services Committee and also served on committees for energy, environment and health and human services,CBS Minnesota reported.
He and his wife Yvette were each shot multiple times,Walz said.They are out of surgery and are receiving care,Walz said.He added that his "prayers are with"the couple.
The Hoffmans have one daughter according to the Associated Press.
Gov.Walz said Americans "don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint,"and emphasized that the shootings followed a special session where both sides compromised for the good of Minnesota.
"In the state of Minnesota,and as recently as last week,in the most closely divided state legislature in the country,we sat down,shook hands and compromised,and we served the state of Minnesota together,"Walz said."It's possible in politically charged times to find compromise,democracy and civil discourse.I,Minnesota and across the country,stand against all forms of political violence."
Walz also thanked the responding officers,w ho he said showed "bravery and swift action."
"We will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice.We will not let fear win,"Walz said.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he has asked Capitol Police to increase security for both Minnesota senators,Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith.Schumer also said he has asked Senate Sergeant at Arms Jennifer Hemingway and Senate Majority Leader John Thune to convene a full briefing as soon as senators return to Washington.
"As we continue to follow this terrifying situation,I urge everyone to stay safe,stay vigilant,and reject political violence in all its forms,"Schumer said."But condemning violence while ignoring what fuels it is not enough.We must confront the toxic forces radicalizing individuals and we must do more to protect one another,out democracy,and the values that bind us as Americans."
Former Rep.Gabby Giffords of Arizona,who was shot in the head in 2011 at a supermarket in Tucson,Arizona,in an assassination attempt by a lone gunman that killed six people and wounded 12 others,say d in a statement Saturday that she was "horrified and heartbroken" by th e shootings.
"My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well,"said Giffords,w ho is married to Sen.Mark Kelly of Arizona."An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself.Leaders must speak out and condemn th e fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for."
U.S.House Speaker Mike Johnson said,"Such horrific political violence has no place in our society,and every leader must unequivocally condemn it."
President Trump said in a statement that he had been briefed on th e "terrible shooting"and said Attorney General Pam Bondi and th e FBI are investigating th e situation and would prosecute anyone involved "to th e fullest extent of th e law."
"Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in th e United States of America,"Mr.Trump wrote."God Bless th e great people of Minnesota,a truly great place!"