Latest news with #StateEmergencyOperationsCenter
NDTV
15-06-2025
- Politics
- NDTV
Minnesota Lawmaker Killing: US Police Find "Hit List" In Suspect's Car
Minnesota, US: The shooter who killed Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, left behind a manifesto targeting pro-choice Democratic lawmakers. The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, also injured State Senator John Hoffman and his wife in a separate attack. He remains at large as authorities intensify a statewide manhunt. Boelter, who was impersonating a police officer, used a fake police vehicle with flashing lights to gain access to the victims' homes early Saturday morning. The manifesto, recovered from his vehicle, listed prominent Democratic leaders who support pro-choice policies. They also found handwritten papers marked "No Kings," pointing to possible anti-government or anti-establishment motives. "When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials," Brooklyn Park police chief Mark Bruley said, as per AP. "We immediately made alerts to the state and provided security where necessary." The attacks began around 2 am in Champlin, where a 911 call led officers to discover Senator Hoffman and his wife suffering from gunshot wounds. Both underwent emergency surgery and are currently recovering. An hour and a half after that, Brooklyn Park officers, acting proactively, went to Ms Hortman's home. There they encountered Boelter, who was dressed as an officer and opened fire before fleeing the scene. Ms Hortman, 55, was pronounced dead at home, while her husband, Mark Hortman, 58, later died at North Memorial Hospital. Following the shootings, a shelter-in-place alert was issued for a 3-mile radius near Edinburgh Golf Course. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz confirmed the deaths in a press briefing, describing the incident as a "coordinated and targeted attack on elected officials." He urged residents to stay away from all political rallies until the suspect is apprehended. The Hennepin County Medical Examiner confirmed that both Hortmans died from multiple gunshot wounds. Brooklyn Park Police are leading the investigation, supported by the FBI and the State Emergency Operations Center, which has been activated in response. Vance Boelter, a former appointee to Minnesota's bipartisan workforce development board under Governors Mark Dayton and Tim Walz, served until his term expired in 2023. By the afternoon, authorities had searched multiple locations connected to the case, including a home in Minneapolis. At 3 pm, Boelter was officially named a suspect and a $50,000 FBI reward was announced for information leading to his arrest.
International Business Times
14-06-2025
- Politics
- International Business Times
Who Was Melissa Hortman? Minnesota Democratic Lawmaker and Her Husband Killed While Sen. John Hoffman Is Shot by Madman Posing as Cop
A Minnesota state legislator was shot dead and another was seriously wounded early Saturday in what police suspect were deliberate attacks at the homes of the Democratic state officials, according to reports. Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed when a gunman posing as a police officer arrived at their home in Brooklyn Park, Governor Tim Walz announced during a press conference. Meanwhile, fellow party member Sen. John Hoffman was shot roughly 8 miles away in Champlin, sources told 5 Eyewitness News. Authorities have launched a manhunt for the unidentified suspect, who was last seen wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue trousers. Madman on Killing Spree "We're here today because an unspeakable tragedy has unfolded," Walz said, adding, "State Representative Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, was assassinated, and her husband, Mark, was also killed." John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times while inside their home in Champlin. Walz said that both have undergone surgery but are still in critical condition. A desperate manhunt, with help from the FBI, is now underway as investigators suspect that two people may have been involved in the early morning attacks. Officials said at a Saturday morning press briefing that no arrests had been made, but several "persons of interest" had been taken in for questioning. The first shooting happened shortly after 2 a.m. at Hoffman's home in Champlin, about 20 miles from Minneapolis. A man and a woman were shot multiple times, though their current conditions remain unclear, according to KSTP. The second attack took place around 4 a.m., roughly eight miles to the south, at Representative Hortman's home in Brooklyn Park. One man was shot several times, but his medical status has not been confirmed, The Sun reported. Following the shooting at Hortman's house, officials said police engaged one of the suspects in the street, leading to a shootout. Drew Evans, head of the state's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that the suspect managed to escape during the exchange of gunfire and is still on the run. Related Incidents of Targeted Attack Officials suspect that both incidents are connected and involve a perpetrator pretending to be a police officer. Walz has spoken out on social media, denouncing the "targeted attacks" and announcing that the State Emergency Operations Center is being activated as authorities intensify their search for the suspect. "I've been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park," Walz wrote on X. "I've activated the State Emergency Operations Center. Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the State of Minnesota behind them. We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon," the Governor wrote. The suspect was described by police as a white man with brown hair, dressed in black body armor layered over a blue shirt and blue pants. Brooklyn Park Police issued a shelter-in-place alert around 5:30 a.m. which was later extended to cover a three-mile area surrounding the Edinburgh Golf Course. A second emergency alert was sent out around 7 a.m., urging residents not to open their doors unless two officers were present and to call 911 to confirm the identity of any law enforcement personnel.
Leader Live
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Leader Live
US state politician and husband killed in ‘targeted' attacks on two Democrats
A second state politician, senator John Hoffman, and his wife were shot and wounded in the 'targeted' attack in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on Saturday, said governor Tim Walz. I've activated the State Emergency Operations Center. Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the State of Minnesota behind them. We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon. — Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) June 14, 2025 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,' Mr Walz said at a press conference on Saturday. 'Those responsible for this will be held accountable.' Ms Hortman was the top House Democratic leader in the state legislature and a former house speaker. She was first elected in 2004, was a lawyer and married with two children. Mr Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012 and runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm. He previously served as vice-chairman of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Mr Hoffman is married and has one daughter. Both Ms Hortman and Mr Hoffman represented districts located north of Minneapolis. Authorities were actively searching for a suspect in the hours following the shootings. Public safety commissioner Bob Johnson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer. Hundreds of police and sheriff deputies from departments in the region, some in tactical gear with assault style weapons were scattered through the town. Occasional police roadblocks had been set up where cars were stopped and checked. Police later recovered writings that mentioned the names of multiple legislators and other officials in a fake police car they believe the suspect used in the shooting. Officials say both Ms Hortman and Mr Hoffman were mentioned in the suspect's writings. Brooklyn Park Police chief Mark Bruley said: 'When we did a search of the vehicle, there was a manifesto that identified many lawmakers and other officials. 'We immediately made alerts to the state. We took action on alerting them and providing security where necessary.' Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said post-mortem examinations will be carried out to determine extent of injuries, but added that Ms Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds. Mr Bruley said the suspect fled out of the back of Ms Hortman's house after an exchange of gunfire with police. The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that 'looked exactly like an SUV squad car,' he said. 'It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle.' Meanwhile, US President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI would join in the investigation. 'Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. 'Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!' Minnesota House speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack 'evil' and said she was 'heartbroken beyond words' by the killings of Ms Hortman and her husband, Mark. 'With the law enforcement response ongoing and details still emerging, I will simply ask all Minnesotans to please lift up in prayer the victims of this horrific attack, as well as the law enforcement personnel still working to apprehend the perpetrator,' Ms Demuth said in a statement. The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions. Giffords, the national gun violence prevention organisation led by former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement. 'I am horrified and heartbroken by last night's attack on two patriotic public servants,' Ms Giffords said. 'My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. 'Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.' Ms Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
Yahoo
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Gunman pretending to be police officer shoots 2 Minnesota politicians: reports
A pair of Minnesota politicians and their spouses were shot by a gunman who was allegedly disguised as a police officer, and now a manhunt is underway, according to local media reports. The shootings, described as 'targeted' by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, occurred in the Minneapolis suburbs of Champlin and Brooklyn Park, according to the governor. He later announced that he operated the State Emergency Operations Center. Local news outlet KSTP reported that the victim of the Champlin shooting is Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman (MN-34) and the victim of the Brooklyn Park shooting is state Rep. Melissa Hortman. KSTP's report stated that preliminary information indicated multiple people were shot at both locations. Another local outlet, Fox 9, is reporting the other victims are the lawmakers' spouses. The condition of the lawmakers — both Democrats — was not immediately known; however, ABC News reported that their conditions are 'grave.' Residents within a three-mile radius of a local golf course are being asked to shelter in place as police search for the alleged killer, who is said to have been posing as law enforcement, according to multiple local media reports. He is considered by authorities to be armed and dangerous. This is a developing story. Stay with KTLA for details. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Rhyl Journal
14-06-2025
- Politics
- Rhyl Journal
US state politician and husband killed in ‘targeted' attacks on two Democrats
A second state politician, senator John Hoffman, and his wife were shot and wounded in the 'targeted' attack near Brooklyn Park, Minnesota on Saturday, said governor Tim Walz. I've activated the State Emergency Operations Center. Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the State of Minnesota behind them. We are monitoring the situation closely and will share more information soon. — Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) June 14, 2025 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,' Mr Walz said at a press conference on Saturday. 'Those responsible for this will be held accountable.' Mr Hoffman, a Democrat, was first elected in 2012 and runs Hoffman Strategic Advisors, a consulting firm. He previously served as vice-chairman of the Anoka Hennepin School Board, which manages the largest school district in Minnesota. Mr Hoffman is married and has one daughter. Ms Hortman was the top house Democratic leader in the state legislature and a former house speaker. She was first elected in 2004. Both Mr Hoffman and Ms Hortman represented districts located north of Minneapolis. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that authorities were actively searching for a suspect. Post-mortem examinations will be carried out to determine extent of injuries, but Ms Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Mr Evans said. Public safety commissioner Bob Johnson said the suspect was posing as a law enforcement officer. He said: 'Suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent. That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honour and responsibility.' The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated during a time of deep political divisions. Giffords, the national gun violence prevention organisation led by former congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords, released the following statement. 'I am horrified and heartbroken by last night's attack on two patriotic public servants,' Ms Giffords said. 'My family and I know the horror of a targeted shooting all too well. An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself. 'Leaders must speak out and condemn the fomenting violent extremism that threatens everything this country stands for.' Ms Giffords was shot in the head in 2011 by a gunman who killed six people and injured 12 others. She stepped down from congress in January 2012 to focus on her recovery.
