Saturday June 14, 2025 | US NEWS [Reporting from VICTORIA, BC] Posted at 4:55 pm PT – latest update 5:32 pm PT
by Mary P Brooke | Island Social Trends
Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot dead in their home today in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The 55-year-old mother and her husband leave behind two children.
And State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were wounded today in what is being seen as ‘targeted political violence’.
Melissa Hortman (May 27, 1970 – June 14, 2025) was an American lawyer and politician from Hennepin County, Minnesota. She was the 61st speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, serving as a Democratic lawmaker from 2019 to 2025. A member of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), Hortman served in the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2005 until 2025, representing northern parts of the Twin Cities metropolitan area.
Hortman’s X profile notes that she was the author of Minnesota’s solar standard and community solar law. She had last posted on X in December 2023 saying: “It’s been clear for a long time that Twitter is not making the world a better place.”
She had worked against gun violence in the USA.
A US podcaster Alec Lace posted on X that Hortman had appeared and sounded fearful after voting against healthcare for immigrants, and wondered if that could have been part of the killer’s motive. “I know that people will be hurt by that vote, and we worked very hard to (inaudible) this bill that wouldn’t include that provision.” As such, she got caught in the cross-hairs of opposing political forces.
It might be said that Trump’s harsh direction against “illegal immigrants” (which in many cases includes people who’ve been in the US for many years, including children of immigrants) is indirectly behind the anger of the shooter, if indeed this was one of his motivations.
Timing on this day:
On this day in US politics, President Trump was celebrating his birthday within a 250th US Military anniversary celebration involving a rolling display of armored tanks through the streets.
For the past week, peaceful protests in Los Angeles about Trump’s handling of immigrants have been met by force from federal armed personnel against people in public areas.
FBI reward for the suspect:
The suspect has been identified as a 57-year-old man, who also allegedly attempted to assassinate Minnesota state senator John Hoffman.
The FBI announced it is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information “leading to the arrest and conviction” of the alleged assassin Vance Boelter who is CEO of a security company based in the Congo. His business may rely on benefits for immigrants.
Police responded to a shooting at Hoffman’s address in Champlin around 2 am ET and were still investigating the scene when, at 3:35 am, officers who had gone to check on Hortman encountered the suspect coming out of her house in Brooklyn Park and exchanged gunfire with him, officials said. The gunman was able to flee the scene on foot after first retreating back into the home after the gunfire exchange, said local Champlin police.
The killer was in police uniform and had what looked exactly like a police vehicle, local police reported.
Hortman’s body was identified by a drone with camera that was flown into the Hortman residence.
Comments from US elected representatives:
- US President Donald Trump said in a statement released by his press secretary: “I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers.”
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said it appears to be a politically motivated assassination. CNN has reported that a list with nearly 70 names — including other lawmakers and abortion providers — was found in the suspect’s car, according to a law enforcement source. Officials said they still don’t know if anyone else was involved in the attacks. “Minnesota’s flags will fly at half staff in honor and remembrance of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. She woke up every morning determined to make Minnesota a better place, and she will be greatly missed.”
- US Rep. Kelly Morrison from Minnesota described the death of state Rep. Melissa Hortman on Saturday as a loss of “a giant of the Minnesota legislature,” remembering her colleague “as one of the most consequential speakers of the Minnesota House.” “(Hortman) was gritty and tough, and a great negotiator. She knew how to build coalitions, she had a great sense of humor,” Morrison told Boris Sanchez on CNN Newsroom. “She will be so missed here in Minnesota.” Morrison called the shooting death of Hortman and her husband, Mark, “an act of political violence.” Morrison praised Minnesota law enforcement in their efforts to protect communities and elected officials, but noted a need for additional security measures. “I do think that in these heightened times where rhetoric is way overheated, we do need to consider more security for our elected officials,” she said. “It’s a dangerous time, unfortunately.”
- U.S. Senator from Minnesota Amy Klobuchar: “She was a true public servant to the core, dedicating her life to serving Minnesotans with integrity and compassion.”
- Former US Vice President Al Gore: “There is absolutely no excuse for political violence and everyone in public life must condemn this horrific tragedy.”
- Jennifer Newsom (wife of California Governor Gavin Newsom): “Gavin and I are sending our love and deepest prayers to the Hortman and Hoffman families. This was a targeted act of violence against public servants. Assassinating elected officials and their loved ones for their decisions is an attack on democracy itself. It’s completely depraved and it cannot be normalized.”
Other comments included from Maria Shriver who said: “My fellow Americans, peace is our only way forward.”
Canadian comments:
Prime Minister Mark Carney posted around 2:45 pm PT on social media: ” It is both disturbing and heartbreaking to learn that a U.S. lawmaker and her spouse have been killed in a politically-motivated attack. My prayers are with their family, those injured, Governor Walz, and all Minnesotans as they grieve this heinous crime. Political violence and the extremism that fuels it are serious threats to our safety and our democracy. We must stand strong against them.”
Former Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted in social media today that politicians need more protection which is necessary for maintaining democracy.
===== RELATED:
US Senator handcuffed for asking question at Homeland Security press conference (June 12, 2025)
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