Police Impersonator in Minnesota Shoots Two Democratic Lawmakers and Their Spouses, Killing One Couple

A gunman impersonating a police officer in uniform with a badge shot two Democratic state lawmakers and their spouses at their homes, killing one of the couples.

State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot multiple times at their home in Champlin. Their condition was not announced by the hospital.

Eight miles away, state Representative Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, her husband Mark and their dog Gilbert (they raised and trained service dogs) were fatally shot in their Brooklyn Park home. They had two children. First elected in 2004, Hortman was the top Democrat leader in the state House. She was also a former House speaker.

The gunman fled from the back of Horman’s home after exchanging gunfire with police.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said a fake police car was found at one of the shooting scenes. He said, “When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary.” Some “No Kings” flyers were also in the car.

The gunman is still at large and a “shelter in place” order is in effect. Police are looking for 57-year-old Vance Boelter in connection with the shootings. Government officials asked that people not attend No Kings events scheduled for today in Minnesota, and organizers announced the events were cancelled.

The shootings affect a contentious balance of power in the state legislature. Prior to the shootings, House was tied between 67  Republicans and 67 Democrats (67-67) and the Senate had a one-vote Democratic majority at 34 to 33. The House now temporarily has a one-vote Republican majority due to the assassination of Hortman. The legislature recently wrapped up its session.

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