Minnesota Shooting: Walz & Leaders Honor Legislators
- Gov. Tim Walz somberly addressed the work and legacy of state rep.
- Police said the suspect targeted her, another Democratic state legislator, and their spouses.
- "Our state lost a dear leader, and I lost the dearest of friends," Walz told reporters at a news conference.
In Minnesota, Gov. Tim Walz and other leaders are honoring the lives and legacies of state legislators Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, following a targeted shooting that has shaken the state. Authorities are actively searching for suspect Vance Boelter, who is accused of fatally shooting Hortman and wounding Hoffman. The incident, which is being investigated, has prompted a wave of responses, including statements from President Trump and former President Biden, condemning the violence and calling for unity. News Directory 3 brings you the latest updates on this developing story, including community reactions and the ongoing inquiry. Discover what’s next as the state grapples with this tragedy and seeks answers.
Gov. Tim Walz somberly addressed the work and legacy of state rep. Melissa hortman, who authorities said was assassinated at her home Saturday morning.
Police said the suspect targeted her, another Democratic state legislator, and their spouses.
“Our state lost a dear leader, and I lost the dearest of friends,” Walz told reporters at a news conference.
Hortman, the former Minnesota House speaker, and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park around 3:35 a.m. by a suspect who investigators said was impersonating a police officer.
the shooting took place nearly 90 minutes after the same suspect shot and wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their Champlin home, according to police.
The suspect,identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter,fled on foot after engaging in a firefight with officers outside Hortman’s home,officials said. They noted that the suspect also had a list of other targets.
Bob Jacobson, the state’s commissioner of public safety, said Saturday was a “dark day.”
“We will not allow fear or violence to define who we are or how we move forward,” he said.
Walz described Hortman as someone who served the state with “great compassion, grace, humor and a sense of service.”
“She was a formidable public servant, a fixture and giant in Minnesota. She woke up every day persistent to make this state a better place,” he told reporters.
The governor further condemned the attack in a statement.
“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,” he wrote. “we must stand united against all forms of violence, and I call on everyone to join me in that commitment.”
The governor ordered state flags to be flown at half-staff in honor of Hortman.
Other leaders from the state and beyond offered similar condolences throughout the morning.
President Donald Trump also issued a statement Saturday morning condemning the violence.
“Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great peopel of Minnesota, a truly great place,” he said.
The White house said in a statement that the FBI and the Attorney General’s office will be investigating and ”will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law.”
Former President Joe Biden spoke out against the attack in a post on X.
“This heinous attack motivated by politics should never happen in America,” he said. “We must give hate and extremism no safe harbor, and we must all unite against political violence as a nation.”
Democratic National Committee Ken Martin, former Minnesota Democratic Party chair and friend of both victims, said in a statement that “like so many Minnesotans, my heart is broken.”
“Melissa, Mark, John, and Yvette — these are not just names, and this is not just politics. These are people. They’re longtime friends to me and Jenn and so many others in Minnesota. They have children, loved ones.