Minnesota Lawmakers Killed, Senator Wounded in Political Shooting

Minnesota Democratic lawmakers Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman were victims of a politically motivated shooting that left Hortman and her husband dead and Hoffman and his wife seriously injured. The suspected attacker, Vance Luther Boelter, allegedly posed as a police officer to carry out the shootings and has been linked to anti-abortion extremism, with police finding a manifesto and a hit list targeting abortion providers and advocates in his vehicle. Governor Tim Walz condemned the attack as a political assassination and urged unity against political violence. Boelter previously held appointments on workforce development boards under Governor Walz and his predecessor, adding complexity to the investigation. The incident is part of a broader pattern of escalating political violence in the U.S., with other recent attacks targeting political figures and symbols. Authorities continue to search for Boelter while providing care and protection to the surviving victims.