GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Officials in Michigan on Saturday condemned the murder of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and the shooting of another lawmaker and his wife.
Former Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband Mark were shot and killed at their home in what Gov. Tim Walz called an act of “targeted political violence.” State Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife Yvette are believed to have been shot by the same person early Saturday. Both were hospitalized.
A statewide manhunt was launched for the suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who was believed to be impersonating a police officer at the time of the shootings and previously worked for Minnesota’s workforce development board from 2016 to 2023, the Associated Press reports.
2 Minnesota state lawmakers shot in their homes early Saturday
In a statement on social media, Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer condemned the shootings, calling them “yet another horrific act in the continued rise of political violence in America.
“The shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses is yet another horrific act in the continued rise of political violence in America,” Whitmer, a Democrat who herself was previously the target of a planned kidnapping that was busted by federal investigators in 2020, said. “We must call out this violence, no matter who it’s aimed at or where it originates.”
Michigan Attorney General Dana Nessel said that she and Michigan State Police were following the investigation and would “assess any poential threats in Michigan” — though so far, there were none.
“My heart breaks for all those affected by the politically motivated attacks and murders in Minnesota, and especially for the families of Senator John Hoffman and Representative Melissa Hortman,” Nessel, a Democrat, said in a statement. “This is a devastating attack on public servants, public service, and our shared values as Americans. We cannot tolerate political violence anywhere in this country and it must be met with the strongest, universal condemnation everywhere and every time.”
“At this time, my department is not aware of any emergent danger in our state related to these shootings,” Nessel’s statement continued. “Nonetheless, my office will be in contact with legislative and elected leaders as we navigate this heartbreaking news. The Department of Attorney General remains vigilant in these efforts today and stands ready to enforce the full might of state law to keep Michiganders safe—including our elected officials.”
U.S. Rep. Hillary Scholten, D-Grand Rapids, said political violence must not be normalized.
“I’m horrified and heartbroken by the politically motivated assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shooting of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife,” Scholten said in a statement posted online. “Political violence is an attack on our democracy itself. It cannot be normalized. It cannot be ignored. We must all stand united against this.”
Michigan Sen. Mark Huizenga, R-Walker, released a statement Saturday evening.
“This kind of targeted political violence is evil and an attack on our entire democratic system,” he said. “We must work together so our political differences are addressed in the public sphere or at the ballot box — not through violence.
“My wife and I are heartbroken following these acts, and our thoughts and prayers are with the families and friends of the two Minnesota state lawmakers during this difficult time.”
