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In a shocking and tragic attack in Minnesota, State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were murdered, while State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were severely injured in what Governor Tim Walz is calling a “politically motivated assassination.” The shooter fatally shot Hortman's husband and herself at their residence and later attacked Senator Hoffman and his wife elsewhere. Both victims are long-serving Democratic lawmakers. The targeted shootings took place in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, suburban cities 10 to 20 miles from Minneapolis. Senator Hoffman is hospitalised in critical but stable condition, while his wife Yvette receives treatment for non-life-threatening injuries. A manhunt has been launched for the main suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who sent a chilling text message to his roommate a few hours before the attack.

Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI and the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), are looking for Boelter, who was last seen wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark long-sleeved collared shirt or a coat, and a dark bag. The FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for tips leading to his arrest. Boelter, who resides in Minneapolis, had served on the Governor's Workforce Development Board in 2016 and claimed extensive experience in security operations throughout Africa and the Middle East, including Lebanon and Gaza. He also operated a security company, Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC, with his wife, Jennifer.

Text Message To Roommate: "I Might Be Dead Soon"

Boelter's long-time friend and roommate, David Carlson, 59, told Reuters that he got a text message from Boelter very early on Saturday morning. "He said he could be dead soon," Carlson said, adding that he immediately notified the police. Carlson, a friend of Boelter's since fourth grade, said he was a Christian, a voter for Trump, and a person who “wasn’t really angry about politics,” although he was against abortion. He added that Boelter worked for an eye donation facility and had been staying at the shared house for the convenience of work.

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Minnesota BCA Superintendent Drew Evans confirmed the suspect had shot at police officers prior to leaving his car behind. Police found a manifesto and list of lawmakers and public officials inside, which seriously raised concerns that the attack could be part of a larger scheme. "We are still trying to sort through the writings to assess the entire extent of the suspect's plans. It would be too early to comment specifically on the motive," Evans said. Governor Tim Walz described early indications as pointing towards a politically driven assassination: "Representative Hortman served Minnesota with compassion and grace. This targeted killing is a devastating attack on our democratic institutions," he stated.

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According to online records and archived websites reviewed by Reuters, Boelter had been ordained as a minister in 1993 and had made extensive trips to areas under conflict such as the Gaza Strip, West Bank, and Southern Lebanon to "share the gospel." He stated that he had interacted with militant groups to preach nonviolence. He was also credited as president of a Christian nonprofit group Revoformation, which was last active in 2010, and had a varied work history in food services and private security. A month ago, Boelter posted on LinkedIn seeking jobs in Minnesota, Texas, Florida, and Washington D.C., indicating personal or financial instability.