Who killed Melissa Hortman and what happened to it?
Vance Boelter is accused of killing Melissa Hortman, the former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband, Mark Hortman. The incident occurred on June 14, 2025, as part of a series of targeted attacks on Minnesota elected officials. Boelter, a 57-year-old man described as a committed conservative with no prior explanation for his motives, allegedly began by stalking and shooting Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, at their home in Champlin, leaving them seriously injured. Their daughter, Hope Hoffman, was also targeted in an attempted shooting. Boelter then drove to the Hortmans' home in nearby Brooklyn Park, where he fatally shot Mark Hortman at the door and pursued Melissa Hortman inside, killing her as she tried to flee upstairs. The couple's pet golden retriever was gravely injured in the attack and later euthanized. The shootings were described by authorities, including Governor Tim Walz, as a "politically motivated assassination." Earlier that morning, Boelter had visited the homes of two other elected officials but found no one there. When police arrived at the Hortmans' residence, Boelter reportedly fired at officers and Mark Hortman before charging inside; officers returned fire, but he was not killed on the scene. Boelter faces severe legal consequences: In July 2025, a federal grand jury indicted him on six charges, including two counts of murder for the Hortmans' deaths, stalking and attempted murder related to the Hoffmans, with potential penalties of life in prison or the death penalty. Hennepin County prosecutors also charged him with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. He remains in custody awaiting trial, and in August 2025, his wife filed for divorce amid the fallout; she and their children were briefly detained by police shortly after the attacks, with items like cash and firearms recovered from their vehicle. The killings sparked widespread mourning and renewed fears of political violence in the U.S., especially amid a reported 187.5% rise in mass casualty attacks in early 2025. A special election in September 2025 filled Hortman's House seat with Democrat Xp Lee, maintaining a tie in the chamber and honoring her legacy as a long-serving leader who advanced progressive policies in Minnesota.