Suspect Identified in Apparent ‘Assassination’ of Former Minnesota House Speaker

A man posing as a police officer shot and killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.

Police identified Vance Boelter, 57, as the suspect, the Associated Press reported.

Boelter remains at large, though police have taken possession of his car, which had been altered to make it appear like a police vehicle. Inside the car, authorities found “No Kings” flyers. Minnesota State Patrol urged state residents to avoid “No Kings” protests against President Donald Trump.

In addition to Hortman, the suspect reportedly shot state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Walz said he is “cautiously optimistic” they will survive. 

The suspect reportedly carried out the shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, northern suburbs of Minneapolis.

Hortman, 55, served as the Minnesota House speaker from 2019 to 2025. A member of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, she had notably bucked her party in voting for a bill to prevent illegal aliens from receiving benefits through Minnesotacare, a health care program for the working poor. Sen. Hoffman, also a Democratic-Farmer-Labor member, voted against the bill.

Mark Bruley, the Brooklyn Park police chief, said his department assisted the Champlin police in responding to Sen. Hoffman’s house.

Brooklyn Park police arrived at Hortman’s house and confronted a man who appeared to be a police officer. “When our officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers,” Bruley said. “It was not a real police officer. This is somebody that clearly had been impersonating a police officer, again using the trust of this badge and this uniform to manipulate their way into the home.”

Bruley said the suspect is on foot, police have taken custody of his car. People in a grid around the shootings have been advised to shelter in place and be on the lookout for the suspect.

“If somebody comes to the door and they knock on the door, claiming to be a police officer, please do a couple things. One, call 9-1-1 and confirm that the officer belongs there,” he said. He also said police will only knock on a door if they do so in pairs.

The Minnesota State Patrol posted a photo of “No Kings” flyers in the back of the suspect’s car. Protesters across the country have planned “No Kings” protests against President Trump.

Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic asked the public not to attend “No Kings” protests in Minnesota, given the shooting of Hortman.

“Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers that happened overnight, we are asking the public not to attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota, out of an abundance of caution,” she said.

Responses to the Shooting

President Donald Trump condemned what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz described as “what appears to be a politically motivated assassination” targeting two Democrat leaders and their spouses Saturday morning.

Minnesota State Patrol confirmed that they found “No Kings” flyers in the suspect’s car, and urged Minnnesotans to avoid the “No Kings” protests against Trump.

“An unspeakable tragedy has unfolded in Minnesota,” Walz, the governor, said in a press conference Saturday. “My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed earlier this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination.”

He said Hortman, speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, “served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor, and a sense of service.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt posted a statement from President Trump.

“I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers,” the president said. “Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, 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,” Trump added. “God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”

Sen. Amy Kobuchar, D-Minn., also condemned the shooting.

“I am heartbroken and horrified by the tragic loss of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were taken from us in an act of violence,” the senator wrote on X. “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 added. “Melissa’s legacy will endure, but today we grieve deeply.” Referring to her husband, John Bessler, the senator added, “John’s and my prayers are with their children, their loved ones, and all who are mourning this devastating loss.”

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La., himself a victim of politically-motivated violence, also condemned the shooting.

“Horrible news today of yet more instances of political violence with the shooting of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and State Senator John Hoffman,” he posted on X. “There can be no tolerance of political violence and it must be stopped. Join me in praying for their families.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

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