Brooklyn Park, MN — June 15, 2025 — In a devastating and politically charged tragedy, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband, Mark Hortman, were shot and killed in their home early Saturday morning in what authorities are calling a targeted assassination.
Hortman, a longtime Democratic state representative known for her quiet resolve and bipartisan negotiation skills, was remembered by leaders from both sides of the aisle as a “giant in Minnesota politics” and a “true public servant.” Governor Tim Walz condemned the killings as “an unspeakable tragedy,” while former President Donald Trump and other national figures have also denounced the violence.
Police say the attack is linked to a broader, coordinated act of political violence. Hours before Hortman was found dead, law enforcement responded to the Champlin home of State Senator John Hoffman, who was also shot along with his wife, Yvette. Both are expected to survive after emergency surgery.
Authorities later conducted a welfare check on the Hortman residence and encountered a man dressed as a police officer leaving the scene. A shootout ensued before the suspect, later identified as Vance Boelter, 57, fled on foot. Inside the house, officers discovered Mark Hortman already deceased, and Melissa in critical condition. Emergency responders confirmed she had gone into cardiac arrest and was pronounced dead on site.
Boelter, a former appointee to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board, remains at large. A manhunt is underway, and the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Authorities say he was carrying a list of more than 70 individuals, including Democratic lawmakers and reproductive rights advocates, raising concerns about further threats.
Emergency dispatch recordings reveal chilling details. At Senator Hoffman’s home, he was reportedly shot in the abdomen and elbow, with dispatchers describing “bleeding in his stomach” and a distended abdomen. His wife sustained multiple gunshot wounds. At the Hortman residence, medics reported one person in cardiac arrest and another already deceased before their arrival.
Melissa Hortman had recently stepped down as House Speaker but remained an influential figure in Minnesota politics. Her legacy includes tireless work on healthcare, climate policy, and reproductive rights, and a reputation for thoughtful, principled leadership. She is survived by two children and is being mourned by the community she served for over two decades.
Law enforcement warns the suspect is armed and dangerous, last seen wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, dark long-sleeve shirt, light pants, and carrying a dark bag. Anyone with information is urged to contact authorities immediately.