Shootings of MN Lawmakers turn homes into Crime Scenes

BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. – Shootings at the residences of two Minnesota lawmakers turn the homes into crime scenes.

The homes of DFL Rep. Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park and Sen. John Hoffman in Champlin were turned into crime scenes after what authorities are calling targeted political shootings early Friday morning. Hortman, the former speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband, Mark, were killed, while Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, are expected to survive several gunshot wounds.

A suspect, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, was taken into custody around 9:00 p.m. on Sunday near a property he owned in Sibley County. Authorities alleged that Boelter disguised himself as a police officer when he went to the two lawmakers’ homes, first stopping at Hoffman’s residence in Champlin before then making the short drive to the Hortmans in Brooklyn Park.

Armed Champlin Police officers were stationed outside of the Hoffmans Sunday. Crews at the Hortman home were boarding up windows and doors while also removing boxes. People have begun to lay flowers at the end of the drive in memory of the Minnesota lawmaker.