Shootings show elected leaders ‘have another layer to think about,’ DNC official says
Adrienne Broaddus and Dennis Romero
Democratic Party executive and Minnesotan Ron Harris said he had second thoughts about the safety of his family when he ran for Congress in 2024, so he understands how elected officials and new candidates find the day’s events beyond frightening.
“I ran for office myself, and I had to bring my family together,” he said in an interview today. “We had to have conversations about security and data privacy. We had to have conversations about making sure that they remain safe, and I wasn’t a target for anything. So now with this example, people have another layer to think about.”
In February 2024, Harris suspended his campaign for Congress and threw his support behind state Sen. Kelly Morrison, who prevailed to represent the third congressional district.
After today’s allegedly targeted political violence, which was blamed for the death of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and for injuries sustained by state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, fear of assassination isn’t based on hazy memories of decades long ago.
“There’s a handful of people who are like, ‘Look, we have elections next year. We’re not sure if we want to run again. Is it worth it? Is it worth putting myself through this? Is it worth putting my family through it?” Harris said.
Most people run for office to make a difference, he said, but there’s a line of diminishing returns, including potential harm to one’s family. People who believe they are on an alleged target list sources said was left behind by the suspect have even more reason to hunker down.
“The idea that they will be on the list, and not only are their names, but as we saw, their spouses, their family, are also victimized in this,” Harris said. “They didn’t just exclusively keep it to the public servants.”
It’s chilling, and it could be a major challenge for Democrats and the state’s Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party as midterm elections in Congress approach next year, with 468 seats on the line and Democrats scrambling to take back power or at least limit the actions of President Donald Trump.
The suspect, Harris said, “went and killed members of their family, and that’s what people are thinking about,” he said.
Wounded lawmaker’s neighbor recalls hearing gunshots
Reporting from Champlin, Minnesota
Clarence Shaffer said he heard the moment his neighbors, state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot.
It was just around 2 a.m. while he was up watching television that he heard the “pow, pow” of gunshots, Shaffer, 71, told NBC News. He rushed to wake up and tell his wife that someone might have been shot and that he was going outside.
“I didn’t see anything, but then, all at once, I seen a black — dark black — car backing out of the Hoffmans’ driveway,” Shaffer said. “And as he backed out, he turned his headlights on and put the police lights on. And I thought, ‘What the heck’s a cop leaving the scene after the gunshots?'”
Shaffer said police arrived at the scene within about 10 minutes of when he first heard gunshots. He said he gave police an account of what he saw, prompting them to question him when he said he saw police lights.
“I said, ‘Listen to me, pal, I’m not blind. … And then the neighbor heard me talking to him,” Shaffer said. “The neighbor pipes up, says, ‘Yeah, he’s telling you exactly what happened.'”
Shaffer identified himself as a Republican who often got into debates with Hoffman about politics. But he said he and Hoffman would often just laugh about it.
“He’s a good man, and Yvette’s a sweetheart,” Shaffer said. “She’s a real gentle kind of woman, and I have a lot of respect for both of them.”
Manhunt underway for the suspect
A manhunt is underway, and the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to the arrest of Vance Boelter, whom authorities have named as a suspect.
Makeshift memorial at State Capitol grows
A makeshift memorial to honor Hortman’s leadership and legwork blossomed at the Capitol today.
The memorial included 10 or so bouquets, as well as handwritten signs saying “Rest in Power” and “RIP Melissa Hortman,” on the grounds’ pedestals.
Around eight to 10 people stood near, mostly silent, though some cried.
FBI searches Democratic legislator’s neighborhood as manhunt continues
Suspect texted ‘I may be dead shortly,’ his roommate says
David Carlson said he doesn’t think anyone who knew Vance Boelter could believe he is wanted by authorities on suspicion of the attacks.
“I don’t know why he did what he did,” Carlson told NBC affiliate KARE of Minneapolis. “It’s just it’s not Vance. … He had lots of friends, trust me, and I wish I could have been there to stop him.”
Boelter was a supporter of President Donald Trump, KARE reported Carlson as saying. Carlson said he wasn’t aware of his friend’s stance on local politicians, according to the station.
Carlson also shared concerning text messages that Boelter had sent him earlier in the day that had Carlson calling authorities in concern. He choked up with emotion reading the messages aloud to reporters.
“I may be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know that I love you guys both, and I wish it hadn’t gone this way,'” the messages said, according to Carlson’s reading.
“I don’t want to say anything more and implicate you in any way, because you, you guys don’t know anything about this,” it continued. “But I love you guys, and I’m sorry for all the trouble this has caused.”
Former Sen. Al Franken says slain lawmaker was deeply committed to Democratic causes
Former Sen. Al Franken said Hortman was deeply dedicated to Democratic causes.
The two campaigned together “throughout the state,” he said on X today.
“She was a consummate Speaker who led her caucus brilliantly and achieved so much for Minnesota,” he said of Hortman’s time as state House speaker for three legislative sessions from 2019 to 2024.
Her leadership came with many miles traveled, said Franken, who resigned from the U.S. Senate in early 2018 after a life in the spotlight that also included working on the cast of “Saturday Night Live,” writing for the show and writing bestselling political satire.
“I’ve campaigned with Melissa throughout the state and was forever impressed by her levelheaded, yet passionate, leadership,” he said. “She loved her caucus and fought hard for them and Minnesotans. The world lost a great human being today and a great leader.”
Violence ‘will not stop the work’ of democracy, state Rep. Emma Greenman says
State Rep. Emma Greenman, a fellow member of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, knew both the Hoffmans and the Hortmans well. She told NBC News tonight that it’s difficult to compose her thoughts about their attacks knowing the suspect is still on the run.
What has brought Greenman solace, she said, is seeing pictures of the Minnesotans who “courageously showed up to march for our democratic freedoms” today. Greenman said they were defending the values that Hortman spent her career working to realize.
“Political violence will not stop the work of our democracy or silence the voices of the people or their elected representatives,” she said.
Rep. Melissa Hortman had a ‘strong moral compass,’ Minnesota AG says
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison posted a touching statement about the death of Hortman, whom he described as a friend of more than 20 years.
In a lengthy statement, Ellison characterized Hortman as someone who was led by “a strong moral compass” with an “unwavering dedication” to Minnesota.
“She knew it was right to stand up to bullies, to give second chances, and to embrace people without regard for personal or political differences,” he wrote.
Ellison promised that his office will do whatever it can to assist law enforcement, and he denounced the “hateful” discourse that has become normalized in the political sphere.
He also sent well-wishes to Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who were shot and wounded at their home.
“I’m also praying for Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette and wish them a full and speedy recovery,” he said. “And I hope Minnesotans can offer grace, care, and kindness to each other in the days ahead.”
DNC official: Victims were all at Minnesota Dem fundraiser last night
Democratic National Committee executive committeeman Ron Harris said he socialized with all four victims last night at the Humphrey-Mondale Dinner, the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party’s largest annual fundraiser.
“I literally just saw them hours before,” Harris said in an interview tonight. “The Humphrey-Mondale Dinner is like a family reunion for Minnesota Democrats. All four of them were there.”
The event was held at the Minneapolis Hilton. Harris said he spoke with four people who may have been on a list of potential targets left by suspect Vance Boelter, who’s still at large.
Authorities allege the suspect fatally shot state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and injured state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The attacks were deemed acts of politically motivated violence.
“People I know, people I work with, were on it,” he said. “John was No. 3. Melissa was No. 4. That’s how people are talking right now — by their number on the list, not their name.”
Harris said he had just received a call from a politician who must campaign soon to keep their job.
“One woman who was on the list called me right before you did,” he said. “She told me: ‘I don’t even know if I want to run for re-election. What do I need this for?’”
Harris said the long-term risk goes beyond one act of violence.
“What I worry about is good people opting out of public service,” he said. “It should be the most honorable job — to serve the people. But the environment right now is dangerous.”
Hortman’s killing is tragic, and she will be deeply missed, he said.
“Melissa was one of the smartest, hardest-working elected officials I’ve ever met,” Harris said. “She was a numbers person — she always had the facts, always came prepared. She made sure she knew the details before making any decisions.”
“But more than that,” he added, “she was inclusive. She treated staff with the same respect she gave other electeds. She always went out of her way to talk to people in the room, especially the ones standing off to the side or alone.”
Harris said his relationship with Hortman was about more than keeping political score.
“We were Facebook friends, and I used to post pictures of my nieces,” he said. “Melissa would always ask about them. She remembered people. She cared.”
Suspect listed dozens of names as potential targets, sources say
Andrew Blankstein, Tom Winter and Jonathan Dienst
A list of potential targets left behind by the suspect in the killing of Minnesota Hortman and her husband includes dozens of names and both politicians and people outside of politics, two people familiar with the investigation said.
Who exactly is on the list was not yet clear. Earlier in the day, a source who had seen it said it includes some prominent people in Minnesota who advocate for reproductive rights, as well as some lawmakers who have been outspoken about their stance in favor of reproductive rights.
Hortman and another lawmaker who survived are Democrats.
Suspect Vance Luther Boelter, 57, is the subject of an intense manhunt.
Trump promises prosecution ‘to the fullest extent of the law’
President Donald Trump addressed the shootings earlier today, writing on Truth Social that he and his administration had been briefed.
He also briefly addressed the shooting with reporters outside the White House as he and the first lady departed for his military parade this evening. He called it “absolutely terrible.”
“And they’re looking for that particular man right now,” Trump said.
‘It’s a scary time we’re living in’: Minnesota Lynx team addresses shooting
Members of the WNBA’s Minnesota Lynx were asked about the shootings today following their win against the Los Angeles Sparks at the Target Center in downtown Minneapolis.
Nepheesa Collier told reporters that the team didn’t discuss it before the game but that she and her husband saw it in the news in the morning. She said “it’s a scary time we’re living in,” especially when she thinks about her own daughter.
“Coach said this, too, but, especially as athletes, we have a platform, and I think we need to use it to speak out against things like this,” Collier said. “You know, this is not politics. This is life and morality and human rights.”
Lynx coach Cheryl Reeve said earlier in the day that it seemed “pretty meaningless” to prepare to play after such devastating news, pausing afterward in what seemed to be an emotional momenther. She called the attack “sickening” and expressed her condolences to the families.
It’s a difficult time for the country, Reeve said, adding that it was “very clear the timing of when our country really started to turn.”
“Life just got more difficult for lawmakers,” Reeve said. “Life got more difficult for those who are serving the communities.”
GOP members of Congress say they don’t feel safe on tense security call
Julie Tsirkin
Melanie ZanonaMelanie Zanona is a Capitol Hill correspondent for NBC News.
Julie Tsirkin and Melanie Zanona
House Republicans held a virtual call with the sergeant-at-arms and U.S. Capitol Police leadership today to discuss security concerns in light of the targeted shooting of two Minnesota state lawmakers.
The call got tense, according to two members who were on the call. Rank-and-file members expressed concerns about their safety, particularly when they go home to their districts between legislative sessions.
A GOP lawmaker told NBC News the call was “terrible,” adding that while leadership has detail protection, “nothing has changed” for other members of Congress, despite concerns about security that preceded the Minnesota shooting.
Another source said the call, which lasted just under an hour, was almost entirely about members’ needing police protection at their homes and concerns that their personal information was so readily available.
The call was planned by House Republican leaders and pulled together on very short notice, according to a person familiar with leadership’s thinking. GOP leadership kicked off the call and let the sergeant-at-arms talk about what is already available to members. Then, 10 to 15 members asked questions, most of them expressing that they feel unsafe back home.
Leaders assured members on the call that further avenues will be explored to see whether more can be done to protect members in their districts.
Congressional Democrats expect a similar meeting with law enforcement officials this weekend.
FBI offers $50K reward for suspect
The FBI announced it was offering a reward up to $50,000 for information that leads to the arrest of suspect Vance Boelter.
Alvin Winston Sr., the special-agent-in-charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis field office, described the shootings as a “deliberate and violent attack on public servants and their families.”
“We urge anyone with information to come forward—no detail is too small,” he said in a statement. “The public’s vigilance is critical in bringing this individual to justice.”
Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman remembered as a trailblazing public servant
Before Hortman became a nationally recognized figure after she was shot to death this morning alongside her husband — which public officials have called an act of “political violence” — she was revered by colleagues as a dedicated public servant.
The state House Democratic Farmer-Labor Party caucus today remembered Hortman, a fellow member, as “an incredible leader who dedicated her life to public service” and who had a “determination to improve people’s lives.”
Hortman, who was 55, was first elected to the state House in 2004 and speaker from 2019 to 2025, according to her House biography.
Democratic Minnesota lawmaker fatally shot, another injured in ‘politically motivated assassination’
Erik Ortiz and Doha Madani
A massive search continued this afternoon for a 57-year-old Minnesota man hours after an early morning attack killed a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband and injured a second Democratic lawmaker and his wife in separate “politically motivated” shootings, authorities said.
Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson identified the suspect as Vance Boelter. Jacobson described him as 6-foot-1 with brown hair, wearing a light-colored cowboy hat and a dark long-sleeve collared shirt or coat.
Jacobson urged the public not to approach Boelter if they see him.
