A somber Gov. Tim Walz spoke concerning the work and legacy of State Rep. Melissa Hortman, who authorities stated was assassinated at her house Saturday morning.
Police stated the suspect focused her, one other Democratic state legislator and their spouses.
“Our state misplaced an expensive chief and I misplaced the dearest of buddies,” Walz advised reporters at a information convention.
Hortman, the previous Minnesota Home speaker, and her husband Mark have been shot and killed at their house in Brooklyn Park round 3:35 a.m. by a suspect who was impersonating a police officer, investigators stated.
Minnesota State Consultant Melissa Hortman and Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman are proven in these undated file pictures.
Minnesota Home of Representatives | Minnesota Senate
The taking pictures occurred practically 90 minutes after the identical suspect shot and wounded State Sen. John Hoffman and his spouse Yvette of their Champlin house, in accordance with police.
The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, fled on foot after partaking in a firefight with officers outdoors Hortman’s house, officers stated. The suspect additionally had an inventory of different targets, they famous.
Bob Jacobson, the state’s commissioner of public security, stated Saturday was a “darkish day.”
“We won’t enable concern or violence to outline who we’re or how we transfer ahead,” he stated.
Walz described Hortman as somebody who served the state with “nice compassion, grace, humor and a way of service.”
“She was a formidable public servant. A fixture and big in Minnesota. She wakened every single day decided to make this state a greater place,” he advised reporters.
The governor additional condemned the assault in a press release.
“We aren’t a rustic that settles our variations at gunpoint. We have now demonstrated time and again in our state that it’s doable to peacefully disagree, that our state is strengthened by civil public debate,” he wrote. “We should stand united towards all types of violence — and I name on everybody to affix me in that dedication.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz speaks at a press convention concerning the taking pictures of two state lawmakers, on June 14, 2025.
Minnesota Division of Public Security
The governor ordered state flags to be flown at half mast in honor of Hortman.
Different leaders from the state and past supplied related condolences all through the morning.
President Donald Trump additionally issued a press release Saturday morning condemning the violence.
“Such horrific violence won’t be tolerated in america of America. God Bless the good individuals of Minnesota, a really good spot,” he stated.
The White Home stated in a press release that the FBI and the Legal professional Normal’s workplace will probably be investigating and “will probably be prosecuting anybody concerned to the fullest extent of the legislation.”
Former President Joe Biden spoke out towards the assault in an X publish.
“This heinous assault motivated by politics ought to by no means occur in America,” he stated. “We should give hate and extremism no secure harbor and we should all unite towards political violence as a nation.”
Democratic Nationwide Committee Ken Martin, former Minnesota Democratic celebration chair and buddy of each victims, stated in a press release that “like so many Minnesotans, my coronary heart is damaged.”
“Melissa, Mark, John, and Yvette — these usually are not simply names, and this isn’t simply politics. These are individuals. They’re longtime buddies to me and Jenn and so many others in Minnesota. They’ve youngsters, family members, neighbors, and buddies,” Martin wrote.
Rep. Nancy Pelosi speaks throughout a rally opposing Home Republicans Tax Proposal previous to the ultimate Home Vote on Capitol Hill, on Might 21, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Jemal Countess/Getty Photographs for Households Over Billionaires, FILE
Former Home Speaker Nancy Pelosi, whose California house was invaded by man who assaulted her husband with a hammer in 2022, stated she was “heartbroken” over the state of affairs.
“Sadly, we all know the tragedy of when political violence hits house very effectively. All of us should do not forget that it’s not solely the act of violence, but additionally the response to it, that may normalize it. This local weather of politically-motivated violence should finish,” she stated in a press release.
Former Arizona Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, who survived getting shot in the head in a 2011 assassination try and mass taking pictures in Tucson, posted a photo of herself with Hortman on X and stated she was “devastated” to listen to concerning the taking pictures.
“Melissa was a real public servant who devoted her life constructing a greater, safer Minnesota. It is a profound loss for all who cherished Melissa and Mark, and for our nation,” she wrote. “There will probably be extra to say, however this a lot is obvious: we should defend our democracy from those that attempt to destroy it with a gun.”
Home Speaker Mike Johnson issued a press release denouncing the assault.
“Such horrific political violence has no place in our society, and each chief should unequivocally condemn it,” he stated.
Your entire Congressional Minnesota delegation, each Democrats and Republicans, launched a joint assertion Saturday afternoon condemning the assault.
“Right now we communicate with one voice to specific our outrage, grief, and condemnation of this horrible assault on public servants. There isn’t a place in our democracy for politically-motivated violence,” the delegation stated.
“We’re praying for John and Yvette’s restoration and we grieve the lack of Melissa and Mark with their household, colleagues, and Minnesotans throughout the state,” they added.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar speaks to reporters following a weekly Democratic coverage luncheon on the U.S. Capitol Constructing, on June 3, 2025, in Washington, D.C.
Andrew Harnik/Getty Photographs
Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar stated in an earlier assertion that she was “devastated” by the taking pictures, noting her friendship with Hortman.
“She was a real public servant to the core, dedicating her life to serving Minnesotans with integrity and compassion,” Klobuchar wrote. “As Speaker of the Minnesota Home of Representatives, she led efforts to guard girls’s rights, spend money on clear power, and safe free college lunch for teenagers. She was beloved by her colleagues.”
Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, additionally responded to the taking pictures in an X publish, decrying the political violence and stated Hortman was “good and humorous and so devoted to creating Minnesota work higher for all of us.”
In an X publish, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar remembered Hortman as “an expensive buddy who confirmed me the best way to lead with ardour and integrity.”
“No matter our variations, nobody deserves this,” she wrote. “Violence has no place in our communities.”
Richard Carlbom, chairperson of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Get together, stated in a press release that Hortman “represented the perfect of Minnesota.”
Walz, Smith and Omar have been amongst dozens of Minnesota Democrats on a target list written by the suspected gunman, legislation enforcement sources stated on Saturday.
ABC Information’ Brittany Shepherd, Averi Harper, Lauren Peller, Isabella Murray, Emily Chang and Selina Wang contributed to this report.
