Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband killed; Sen. John Hoffman, his wife shot in 'targeted' shootings

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Two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses were shot by someone impersonating a police officer. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed in an overnight shooting in Brooklyn Park. 

Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot in the overnight shooting in Champlin. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is "cautiously optimistic" they will survive. 

MN lawmakers shootings: Manhunt for Vance Boelter ongoing

Hortman was Democrat from Brooklyn Park representing District 34B. Hoffman, a Democrat from Champlin, represents Senate District 34.

Who was Melissa Hortman? Rep. Hortman killing: She should be 'celebrated and honored' Rep. Hortman killing: She should be 'celebrated and honored'

Former Minnesota Rep. Pat Garofalo, a Republican, shared memories of his friend, Democrat Rep. Melissa Hortman. Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot in a politically motivated, targeted attack. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot but officials said they're "cautiously optimistic" they'll survive.

Hortman was an attorney who was serving her 11th term with the Minnesota House of Representatives. She served as minority leader from 2017 to 2019, and as Speaker of the House from 2019 to 2025. 

She was first elected in 2004 to serve District 34B. 

She was married to her husband, Mark, who was also killed on Saturday morning. She had two children. 

Brooklyn Park, Champlin shootings FULL: Melissa Hortman, John Hoffman shooting update FULL: Melissa Hortman, John Hoffman shooting update

Minnesota lawmakers Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman were shot in their homes overnight. Hortman and her husband Mark were killed. Hoffman and his wife are in the hospital. Watch the full update from Gov. Walz, other leaders and law enforcement.

Timeline:

Here's a look at the timeline of what we know so far: 

  • About 2 a.m. on June 14: A 911 call in Champlin was made at about 2 a.m. Saturday. Police then found that Minnesota Sen. Hoffman and his wife had been shot. Both Hoffman and his wife are recovering from gunshot wounds after undergoing surgery at the hospital.
  • 3:35 a.m.: Brooklyn Park police officers then "proactively" went to the home of Rep. Hortman, authorities say. It was there that they encountered the suspect, who was dressed up as an officer with a fake police vehicle. The suspect opened fire on officers, but the suspect fled. In the suspect's vehicle, authorities found a manifesto with lawmakers' names on it and papers with "No Kings" written on them.
  • 5:30 a.m.: The shelter-in-place alert was sent at 5:30 a.m. by BPPD for the 3-mile radius around the Edinburgh Golf Course.
  • 6 a.m.: Vance Boelter briefly returned to a home near 49th and Fremont in Minneapolis, where he rented a room part-time. He texted two of the roommates that he had made some bad choices, he doesn't want to implicate them, and he may be dead soon. He did have vehicles at the home and broke out one of the windows, but it's unclear if he took one of those vehicles before he fled. The image of Boelter in the cowboy hat is from the surveillance cameras at this home. The renters have been allowed back inside the home.
  • Around 9:45 a.m.: Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz announced at a press conference that Hortman and her husband had died after being shot. Walz said they're "cautiously optimistic" about Hoffman and his wife's recovery.
  • Around 11 a.m.: Authorities and Gov. Walz urged people to not attend any political rallies until the suspect is apprehended.
  • Around 11:30 a.m.: Champlin authorities say there is no current threat to public safety in the city.
  • Before 1 p.m.: The Associated Press identified Vance Luther Boelter, 57, as the suspect. He was appointed by Gov. Mark Dayton in 2016 and then by Gov. Walz in 2019 to the bipartisan workforce development board. His term expired in 2023.
  • About 1:30 p.m.: Police clear the scene at Hoffman's house in Champlin.
  • Around 1:45 p.m.: Police served a search warrant at a home near 49th and Fremont in Minneapolis in connection with the investigation. Authorities used battering rams to get inside. Those who are renting the home told FOX 9 Boelter was a part-time renter of a room in the home.
  • 3 p.m.: Authorities named Vance Boelter as a "person of interest" and suspect in the case, and asked for the public's help in locating him.
  • 3:20 p.m.: Brooklyn Park authorities have cleared the shelter-in-place order. But an alert sent to people living in the area asks people to call 911 if you see something suspicious. Police will still be in the area collecting evidence. Meanwhile, Mercy Hospital remains on lockdown.
  • 3:50 p.m.: The Hennepin County Medical Examiner released the initial reports for the Hortmans, saying Melissa Hortman, 55, and Mark Hortman, 58, both died of multiple gunshot wounds. A time of death was not listed, but the report says Mark Hortman died at North Memorial Hospital, while Melissa Hortman died at her home.
  • 4 p.m.: The FBI is offering a $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Vance Boelter.
  • Dig deeper:

    Read more of FOX 9's coverage on the shootings: 

    MN lawmaker shooting: The latest, timeline of what happened Crime and Public SafetyBrooklyn ParkChamplin