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What we know about the attack on two Minnesota lawmakers | What we know about the attack on two Minnesota lawmakers |
(32 minutes later) | |
There was a heavy police presence after the shooting | There was a heavy police presence after the shooting |
On Saturday, two state lawmakers from Minnesota were attacked in their homes in what Governor Tim Walz called a "politically motivated assassination" attempt. The attacks left one politician dead and another seriously injured. | On Saturday, two state lawmakers from Minnesota were attacked in their homes in what Governor Tim Walz called a "politically motivated assassination" attempt. The attacks left one politician dead and another seriously injured. |
Police are hunting for a suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, who remains at large. | Police are hunting for a suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, who remains at large. |
The attacks drew condemnation from across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump said in a statement that "such horrific violence will not be tolerated". | The attacks drew condemnation from across the political spectrum. President Donald Trump said in a statement that "such horrific violence will not be tolerated". |
US Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat who represents Minnesota, called it "an attack on everything we stand for as a democracy". | |
Who were the victims? | Who were the victims? |
State representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their home, the governor said. | State representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their home, the governor said. |
She had served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 20 years, and was speaker of the chamber from 2019-25. | She had served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 20 years, and was speaker of the chamber from 2019-25. |
State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times and injured, but survived. They had surgery. | State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times and injured, but survived. They had surgery. |
Both lawmakers are Democrats. | Both lawmakers are Democrats. |
What happened? | What happened? |
So far, local law enforcement has confirmed that the attacks occurred in the early hours of Saturday in the city of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. | So far, local law enforcement has confirmed that the attacks occurred in the early hours of Saturday in the city of Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. |
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said police received a call at 02:00 local time about an incident at Hoffman's house. | |
Another call to police came in at 03:35, when officers were checking on Hortman's home. | Another call to police came in at 03:35, when officers were checking on Hortman's home. |
Police exchanged gunfire with the suspect at Hortman's house in nearby Champlin, but he escaped. A manhunt is underway. | Police exchanged gunfire with the suspect at Hortman's house in nearby Champlin, but he escaped. A manhunt is underway. |
Officials said the attacker was impersonating a police officer, driving a vehicle that resembled a police car and using a badge and uniform. | Officials said the attacker was impersonating a police officer, driving a vehicle that resembled a police car and using a badge and uniform. |
Who is the suspect? | Who is the suspect? |
Police said they are looking for a single suspect, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter. They did not give details on a possible motive. | |
A former political appointee, Boelter was once a member of the same state workforce development board as Hoffman. | |
"We don't know the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other," said Mr Evans. | |
Chief Mark Bruley of the Brooklyn Park Police said authorities found a manifesto and a target list of individuals in the suspect's vehicle. | Chief Mark Bruley of the Brooklyn Park Police said authorities found a manifesto and a target list of individuals in the suspect's vehicle. |
US Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota, a Democrat, was on the list, a spokesman for her office confirmed to BBC. | US Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota, a Democrat, was on the list, a spokesman for her office confirmed to BBC. |
Boelter is a security contractor who has worked in Africa and the Middle East, according to an online CV. He has also had managerial roles at firms in Minnesota. | Boelter is a security contractor who has worked in Africa and the Middle East, according to an online CV. He has also had managerial roles at firms in Minnesota. |
He texted a troubling message to friends at a Minneapolis residence, where he had rented a room and would stay one or two nights a week, the Minnesota Star Tribune reports. | |
Boelter said: "I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way." | Boelter said: "I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way." |
What is the fallout? | What is the fallout? |
Out of an abundance of caution, the governor discouraged Minnesotans from attending protests against the Trump administration's policies that took place in the state, and around the US, on Saturday. | |
The attacks have also put a renewed spotlight on the issue of political violence in the US. | The attacks have also put a renewed spotlight on the issue of political violence in the US. |
President Trump survived two assassination attempts in 2024. | President Trump survived two assassination attempts in 2024. |
In April this year, the house of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, was the target of an arson attack. | In April this year, the house of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, a Democrat, was the target of an arson attack. |