A politically motivated attack shook Minnesota on Saturday as State Representative Melissa Hortman, 55, was shot dead at her Brooklyn Park home, marking a historic and tragic first in the state’s modern political history.

Governor Tim Walz confirmed that Hortman and her husband were killed around 3:35 a.m., just hours after a separate attack critically wounded State Senator John Hoffman, 60, and his wife in nearby Champlin.

Authorities have identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, who remains at large. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. He is considered armed and dangerous and was last seen wearing a cowboy hat and long-sleeve shirt.

Boelter posed as a police officer using a fake patrol vehicle with emergency lights. Officers arriving at the Hortman residence were fired upon and returned fire before the suspect fled on foot.

Investigators found a manifesto in the fake police SUV with roughly 70 names of potential political targets, including Governor Walz, Senator Tina Smith, and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. The target list reportedly focused on pro-choice advocates and Democratic leaders.

Boelter, a former private security director with international conflict zone experience, had been appointed multiple times to Minnesota’s Workforce Development Board, giving him inside access to state operations.

The attacks have prompted increased security for all Minnesota lawmakers. Officials have urged the public to avoid attending planned “No Kings” protests believed to be linked to Boelter.

President Donald Trump condemned the killings and assured full federal support for the investigation.

Melissa Hortman served as Minnesota House Speaker from 2019 to 2025. Her death leaves the state legislature evenly split between Republicans and Democrats.