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The Herald Scotland
7 days ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Slain Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman, husband and dog to lie in state
Prosecutors say Boelter also went to the home of Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman disguised as a law enforcement officer and wounded Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He then traveled to two other unnamed lawmakers' homes before entering the Hortmans' home and killing them, according to a federal affidavit. The affidavit says Boelter wanted to "kill, injure, harass and intimidate'' more than 45 Minnesota state and federal officials and prosecutors say he also intended to target several other Midwestern lawmakers. Hortman will be the first woman and one of less than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state at the Capitol, according to a release from the state's House of Representatives. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. The tribute will come on the same day Boelter is expected to appear in federal court, where he faces half a dozen charges including multiple counts of murder and stalking. A private funeral for the Hortmans, which will be livestreamed, will follow on June 28, officials said. The couple had two children and lived in Brooklyn Park, a suburban city about 10 miles north of Minneapolis, according to Hortman's profile. Hoffman and Hortman are both members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), a political party exclusive to the state. Hortman was elected in 2004 and was Speaker-Emerita of the House of Representatives, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans. Police: Break-in at home of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman Hortman served the people of Minnesota with compassion and grace, Gov. Tim Walz previously said. "Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends," Walz said. "She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place." Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Eduardo Cuevas, Christopher Cann, Terry Collins and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY
USA Today
24-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman, husband and dog to lie in state
Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband will lie in state after they were killed in what authorities called a political assassination. Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their golden retriever Gilbert will lie in state at the Minnesota State Capitol on June 27 after they were killed in what officials have called a 'politically motivated assassination.' Hortman and her husband were shot and killed inside their home on June 14. After what has been described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota history, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested and charged in state and federal court in connection with the shooting. Prosecutors say Boelter also went to the home of Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman disguised as a law enforcement officer and wounded Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He then traveled to two other unnamed lawmakers' homes before entering the Hortmans' home and killing them, according to a federal affidavit. The affidavit says Boelter wanted to 'kill, injure, harass and intimidate'' more than 45 Minnesota state and federal officials and prosecutors say he also intended to target several other Midwestern lawmakers. Hortman will be the first woman and one of less than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state at the Capitol, according to a release from the state's House of Representatives. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time. The tribute will come on the same day Boelter is expected to appear in federal court, where he faces half a dozen charges including multiple counts of murder and stalking. A private funeral for the Hortmans, which will be livestreamed, will follow on June 28, officials said. The couple had two children and lived in Brooklyn Park, a suburban city about 10 miles north of Minneapolis, according to Hortman's profile. Hoffman and Hortman are both members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL), a political party exclusive to the state. Hortman was elected in 2004 and was Speaker-Emerita of the House of Representatives, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans. Police: Break-in at home of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman Hortman served the people of Minnesota with compassion and grace, Gov. Tim Walz previously said. 'Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends," Walz said. "She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place.' Contributing: Jeanine Santucci, Eduardo Cuevas, Christopher Cann, Terry Collins and Jorge L. Ortiz, USA TODAY
AFP
18-06-2025
- Politics
- AFP
Image shows Texas couple, not alleged killer of US politician
"New photo out of Vance Boelter and his wife Jenny at a recent rally," a June 15, 2025 Facebook post claimed. The picture shows a man posing with a woman in a shirt that says: "I think therefore I am... a DEMOCRAT." It rocketed across platforms in posts claiming it showed the man wanted for shooting lawmakers in Minnesota, who was captured on June 15. Image Screenshot of a Facebook post taken June 17, 2025 Image Screenshot of an Instagram post taken June 17, 2025 Boelter allegedly killed Melissa Hortman, leader of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, and her husband Mark. Boelter also allegedly shot state senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who are recovering in the hospital from multiple gunshot wounds. Acting US Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joe Thompson told a press conference on June 16 that Boelter faces six federal charges, including two counts of murder by firearm -- punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty (archived here). Authorities are still investigating the motive behind the shooting spree, which Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called a "politically motivated assassination" (archived here). A notebook containing the names of other lawmakers and potential targets was found inside a car left by Boelter at the Hortmans' home, renewing fears of growing political violence in the United States. Certain social media posts initially claimed close ties between Boelter and Walz, despite a lack of evidence supporting a connection to the progressive governor who ran for the White House with Kamala Harris. Additionally, the circulating photo is not of the suspected shooter or his wife. Reverse image searches surfaced several posts on X saying the picture actually shows Lillie Schechter, former chair of the Texas Democratic Party, posing with her husband (archived here, here and here). fran, a member of the Texas State Democratic Executive Committee (archived here), posted on X to debunk the claim saying: "That's @lillieschechter and her husband in front of Houston City Hall. They have literally no relation to Vance Boelter whatsoever" (archived here). Further keyword searches found a June 16 Facebook post (archived here) from Brian Trachtenberg stating that he is the person pictured in the "pro-gun, pro-resistance" shirt, which he says he wore to a "No Kings" rally in Houston. "Someone took that pic, said it was a pic of the MN shooter of Dem lawmakers, and launched it far and wide. All over the right wing social sphere, I am Vance Boelter, and Lillie Schechter, who has devoted her life to peace, love, and Democracy (and who doesn't share my views in guns), is his allegedly complicit wife," he wrote. Image Screenshot of a Facebook post taken June 17, 2025 Photos of city hall in Houston match the color and window pattern of the behind Schechter and Trachtenberg. Image Screenshot of the image circulating on social media (L) next to an AFP photo taken by Cécile Clocheret of a May 2024 protest in front of Houston city hall with the same windows outlined by AFP in both images The picture at the demonstration also matches Schechter's appearance in photos on her website (archived here). Image Screenshot of a photo on Lillie Schechter's website (L) and the image shared on social media AFP reached out to Schechter and Trachtenberg for additional information, but no response was forthcoming. appeared in a federal court in Saint Paul, Minnesota on June 16 and a federal judge ordered him to remain in custody, according to local media (archived here).
Indianapolis Star
15-06-2025
- Politics
- Indianapolis Star
Manhunt underway for Vance Luther Boelter in Minnesota lawmakers shooting
Authorities say a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband were killed and another lawmaker and his wife were injured at their homes by a man impersonating law enforcement in what Gov. Tim Walz called a 'politically motivated assassination.' Law enforcement officials identified the suspect as Vance Luther Boelter, 57. Officials on Saturday afternoon said they were still searching for Boelter, who was last seen in the Twin Cities area. They considered him armed and dangerous. Earlier on Saturday, authorities said they were searching for a suspect who impersonated law enforcement to gain access to the victims' homes, exchanged gunfire with police and fled on foot outside Minneapolis. Asked by reporters for his reaction to the Minnesota shooting, President Donald Trump replied, "Absolutely terrible. Absolutely terrible, and they're looking for that particular man." He spoke from the White House just before getting into his car for the short trip to the viewing stand for the Army parade. "Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!" Trump said. Walz said state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed, and State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot multiple times and wounded in 'targeted shootings' in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, two neighboring suburban cities 10 to 20 miles outside Minneapolis. Walz said Hoffman and his wife were out of surgery and officials expected them to survive. Hoffman and Hortman are both members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. (The Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL) is a political party exclusive to Minnesota that was formed in 1944 when the Minnesota Democratic Party and the Minnesota Farmer-Labor Party merged.) Hortman was Speaker-Emerita of the House of Representatives, which is narrowly controlled by Republicans. House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Minnesota Republican, said she was devastated by Hortman's loss. "She was respected by everyone at the Capitol as a formidable advocate for her values and her caucus," Demuth said in a statement. "She battled fiercely, but never let it impact the personal bond that we developed serving as caucus leaders." Multiple people had been detained for questioning but no one was in custody as of Saturday evening, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. Bruley said the shooter impersonated a police officer, complete with an SUV that appeared similar to real police vehicles, a vest, outfit and equipment. The shooter knocked on the victims' doors and used the ruse to "manipulate their way into the home," Bruley said. Minnesota 'No Kings': Protests canceled after two lawmakers shot, 1 killed Officials said they were still searching for Vance Luther Boelter, the 57-year-old suspect accused of shooting state lawmakers. Described as a white man who is 6 feet, 1 inch tall, Boelter was last seen Saturday morning in Minneapolis, according to Drew Evans, superintendent of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension. In an image shared by law enforcement officials, he was wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, dark-colored long sleeve shirt or coat and carrying a dark bag. Officials suspect he's still in the Twin Cities area, though he may be trying to leave the area. Evans said Boelter should be considered as armed and dangerous and urged members of the public to call 911. It's unclear whether additional people were involved in the shooting, Evans said. An FBI wanted poster shows a photo from one of the attacks that appears to show the gunman was wearing a latex mask. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension has officially named Boelter as a suspect in the case, although he is not yet charged with any crime. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter. Boelter is a St. Cloud State University graduate, according to SCSU spokesperson Zach Dwyer. Boelter wrote on his LinkedIn page that he was the CEO of a company called "Red Lion Group" and that he has traveled to Congo and several other countries, but those claims have not been confirmed. Boelter is also listed on a homemade web site of a company called Praetorian Guard Security Services, which lists him as director of security patrols. The website describes him as involved with 'security situations' overseas, including Africa, Eastern Europe and the Middle East. The website described him as also having worked for a large oil refining company, a large food company based in Switzerland, and a large convenience retailer brand, based in Japan. None of those jobs or details could be confirmed independently on Saturday. On his LinkedIn profile, Boelter claimed to work as the general manager for a 7-Eleven location in Minneapolis from April 2016 to November 2021; a general manager at Greencore in Shakopee, Minnesota from July 2011 to April 2016; a Del Monte production system manager from April 2008 to July 2011 in Minnesota; an operations leader at Johnsonville Sausage from March 2004 to April 2008; and a supervisor at Gerber from February 1999 to March 2004. Last month he posted on LinkedIn that he was looking to "get back into the U.S. food industry," and that he is "pretty open to positions." In 2019, Minnesota Democratic Governor Tim Walz named Boelter and dozens of others to his Governor's Workforce Development Board, which according to the governor's web site assists the Governor in "developing, implementing, and modifying the State plan, review of statewide policies and programs, providing recommendations on actions to align and improve the workforce development system and programs," and other state matters. The governor's web site listed Boelter as a "business and industry representative." His appointment was effective from December 2019 to January 2023, according to the site. A spokesperson for Walz said the governor's office appoints thousands of people of all parties to boards and commissions. The workforce development board has over 60 people on it. They are unpaid, external boards created by the legislature, and Walz doesn't interview applicants, the spokesperson said. They aren't appointments to a position in the governor's cabinet, the spokesperson said. The shootings come as about 2,000 "No Kings Day" demonstrations around the country are planned to protest against the Trump administration. Authorities found papers with "No Kings" written on them in the back seat of the suspect's vehicle, Col. Christina Bogojevic with the Department of Public Safety said. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety asked people in Minnesota to stay home from all planned demonstrations on Saturday, Gov. Tim Walz said. "Out of an abundance of caution my Department of Public Safety is recommending that people do not attend any political rallies today in Minnesota until the suspect is apprehended," he said. There was no evidence that there was a specific threat to the "No Kings" rallies, but Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said authorities were sharing the information about the papers found so the public remains informed. Planned "No Kings" protests in Minnesota were canceled to adhere with guidance from state officials, according to a statement from the coalition that organized the events. Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today's planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution. Elected officials have described the shootings as a 'politically motivated assassination,' though law enforcement officials were still searching for clues behind the shooter's motives. 'This individual did this to instill fear into our community,' Brooklyn Park Mayor Hollies Winston said in a briefing Saturday afternoon. 'But they also wanted to create a distinct and singular point of view.' Inside the suspect's car, police found a 'manifesto,' including a list of other lawmakers, and papers saying 'No Kings,' which officials said was an apparent reference to ongoing protests around the country. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said it was still premature to say what the motive was behind his writings. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said additional police resources have been used to check on the safety of public officials who may be at risk. Other police are actively participating in the search, he said in a Saturday Facebook post. 'Political violence is evil,' Frey said. 'It cannot be tolerated, and neither can those who condone it or make excuses for it.' Minneapolis, the largest city in the state, is located just south of Brooklyn Park and Champlin, where the shootings occurred. St. Paul, located next to Minneapolis, is the state's capital. Hoffman and Hortman are both members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. Hoffman, 60, and his wife Yvette have one child and live in Champlin, according to his lawmaker profile. He was first elected in 2012. Hortman and her husband Mark have two children and live in Brooklyn Park, according to her profile. She was elected in 2004. Hortman served the people of Minnesota with compassion and grace, Gov. Tim Walz said. 'Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends, Walz said. "She woke up every day determined to make this state a better place.' U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat who represents Minnesota, said she was "heartbroken" by the Hortmans' deaths. "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," Klobuchar said in a post to X. "This is a dark day today for Minnesota and for democracy, but we will not allow fear or violence to define who we are or how we move forward. We will stand together, we will stand strong," Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said. 'I cannot emphasize enough that this is not ok. Any type of against elected officials is not ok. Any type of violence against other people is not ok,' nearby Mounds View Mayor Zach Lindstrom said in a post. Officials say the shootings unfolded in the early morning hours Saturday. At about 2 a.m., authorities were called to respond to a report of a shooting in Champlin at Hoffman's home, Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said at the news conference. The Hoffmans had been shot and wounded and were transported to a hospital, where they underwent surgery. "The Hoffmans are out of surgery at this time and receiving care, and we are cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt," Gov. Tim Walz said. While law enforcement was responding at the Hoffman home, police in neighboring Brooklyn Park, who were helping on the scene, decided to proactively check on Hortman, Bruley said. When they arrived at Hortman's home, they saw what appeared to be a police vehicle with lights on and encountered a man dressed as an officer coming out of the home. The suspect shot at the officers, who returned fire, and then the suspect went back into the home and is believed to have fled on foot out a back door, Bruley said. Bruley said the suspect impersonated a police officer, complete with an SUV that is identical to real police vehicles, a vest, outfit and equipment. The suspect knocked on the victims' doors and used the ruse to "manipulate their way into the home," Bruley said. "It was not a real police officer," he said. "No question if they were in this room, you would assume they are a police officer." Hortman and her husband were both shot to death, officials said. Thousands of people were sheltering in place in the area as a massive search for the suspect unfolds, authorities said Saturday morning. Residents should not answer their doors to anyone claiming to be a police officer without first calling 911 to confirm their identity, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. Officers have been instructed to only approach people in pairs, so a single police officer knocking on someone's door would be a red flag, he said. Gov. Tim Walz said earlier Saturday morning he was briefed on 'targeted shootings' and had activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response. The Brooklyn Park Police Department issued an early morning shelter-in-place alert for a 3-mile radius around the Edinburgh Golf Course, the city of Brooklyn Park said in a post to Facebook. Law enforcement agencies including SWAT teams are conducting grid searches of the area for the suspect on Saturday. "We want to reassure the public that there is increased security in place for elected officials and others who may be at risk," Jacobson said.
USA Today
14-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
President Trump condemns 'horrific' shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers
President Trump condemns 'horrific' shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers Show Caption Hide Caption Minnesota lawmaker shot and killed, another wounded in attack A Minnesota representative and her husband were killed and a state senator and his wife injured in a "politically motivated assassination." WASHINGTON ― President Donald Trump said the targeted shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers "will not be tolerated in the United States of America" and vowed the shooter who carried out the brazen attacks will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Trump said he's been briefed on what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called a "political motivated assassination" of state Rep. Melissa Hortman, the speaker emerita of the Minnesota House of Representatives, who along with her husband was shot and killed in one of two targeting shootings on Saturday morning. Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also shot and wounded in what law enforcement officials called 'an act of targeted political violence." Both lawmakers were members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. More: Minnesota lawmakers targeted in 'politically motivated assassination,' governor says In a June 14 post on his social media app Truth Social, Trump said Attorney General Pam Bondi and the Federal Bureau of Investigation 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!" Trump said. More: Army 250th anniversary parade: tanks and thousands of troops take to DC streets: Live updates Hortman, 55, and her husband have two children, according to her state legislative profile page. Authorities are continuing to search for the Minnesota assailant who police say impersonated a police officer ‒ complete with an SUV that is identical to real police vehicles, a vest, outfit and ither equipment ‒ to "manipulate their way into" the homes after he knocked on the victims' doors. The suspect has been identified as a white male. Trump is in Washington, where he will attend a military parade marking the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The event also falls on Trump's 79th birthday. Reach Joey Garrison on X @joeygarrison.
