Gunman Posing as Cop Targets Lawmakers in Fatal Overnight Attacks
Rep. Melissa Hortman (L) and Sen. John Hoffman
A gunman believed to be impersonating a police officer is at large after opening fire early Saturday morning at the homes of two Minnesota legislators.
The shelter-in-place order from BPPD early Saturday, June 14
The incidents took place in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, in what authorities say were “targeted” attacks.
The first shooting happened around 2 a.m. on the 8200 block of 109th Place North in Champlin, reportedly at the residence of a state senator. According to police dispatches, the shooter was described as a white male with brown hair, wearing a black armored vest and dark blue clothing underneath, resembling a law enforcement uniform.
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He fled the scene in a dark-colored SUV with a push-bumper, a spotlight on the drivers’ side, and red-and-blue flashing lights mounted on both the dash and rear window—equipment resembling an unmarked squad vehicle.
Two people were reportedly shot at the Champlin residence. Initial radio dispatches say one of the victims is a female with three gunshot wounds: two to the abdomen and one to the arm. The second victim was said to be an older male with two gunshot wounds to the chest, one to the abdomen and one to the elbow.
X: Original thread on the shootings
Champlin officers located multiple spent shell casings at the scene, but no firearm was recovered. Police believe the suspect may be posing as an officer and have warned the public not to approach him.
SUSPECT IDENTIFIED AS 57-YEAR-OLD VANCE BOELTER
Within hours of the Champlin shooting, officers were called to a second shooting believed to have been targeted at the home of a state representative in Brooklyn Park, near the Edinburgh Golf Course. First responders said the victim, a female in her 50s, suffered multiple gunshot wounds to the back and went into cardiac arrest while being transported to the hospital, according to EMS radio dispatches
Residents in the area received a shelter-in-place alert after 5 a.m. as officers and a State Patrol helicopter conducted a search for the suspect. Brooklyn Park Police indicated in their alert that the same suspect is believed to be connected to both shootings and is considered armed and dangerous.
As of 7 a.m. Saturday, the suspect had not been located. Police were operating on encrypted radio channels, limiting the release of further details. Official updates from law enforcement are expected soon.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in a statement that he’d been briefed “this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park.”
Walz said Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are expected to share more information soon. Anyone with information is urged to call 911 immediately and not to approach the suspect.
KSTP-TV reporter Tom Hauser, citing multiple sources, identified two of the victims as Rep. Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park and Sen. John Hoffman in Champlin, both members of the DFL. Rep. Hortman, 50, serves as the Speaker Emerita of the Minnesota House and represents Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids and Champlin. Sen. Hoffman, 60, represents Champlin, Rogers and parts of Hennepin County in District 34.
UPDATE | 9:45 a.m. Saturday, June 14
Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were both shot and killed, authorities have confirmed. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also confirmed to have been shot multiple times at their Champlin home but survived surgery and are now in recovery. Governor Tim Walz says their prognosis is optimistic.
Minnesota BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said Champlin police were called to the Hoffman residence around 2 a.m., where the senator and his wife were found shot multiple times. Both were taken into surgery and remain hospitalized.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said his officers were assisting in Champlin when they learned a lawmaker had been targeted. Officers then proactively went to check on Rep. Hortman’s home. Upon arrival, they saw a vehicle resembling a squad car in the driveway with lights flashing and a man dressed as an officer exiting the home.
As officers approached, the man opened fire. Officers returned fire, and the suspect fled back into the home, and likely escaped out the rear on foot. His vehicle was left at the scene. The man was reportedly wearing a ballistic vest, badge, Taser, and other gear to impersonate a police officer.
Officers found a man with gunshot wounds at the front door and pulled him to safety. He later died from his injuries. A SWAT team and drone were used to clear the residence, where Rep. Hortman was found dead inside.
A manifesto located in the suspect’s vehicle listed names of several lawmakers and government officials. Authorities confirmed no arrests have been made but said they are actively pursuing multiple people of interest.
Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said, “We will not allow fear or violence to define who we are, or how we move forward,” and noted that the suspect “exploited the trust that our uniforms are meant to represent.”
Thousands of residents remain under lockdown as local, state and federal agencies continue the search.
SUSPECT IDENTIFIED AS 57-YEAR-OLD VANCE BOELTER
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