MINNEAPOLIS, MN (Diya TV) — Minnesota is reeling after a deadly political attack. State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were seriously injured. The Saturday morning shootings in Brooklyn Park and Champlin shocked the state and sparked national outrage.

Governor Tim Walz called the incident a “politically motivated assassination.” He labeled it “an unspeakable tragedy” and a direct threat to democracy. Police arrested 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter. He now faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

Police responded to gunfire at Sen. Hoffman’s Champlin home around 2 a.m. Less than two hours later, they discovered Rep. Hortman and her husband dead in their Brooklyn Park residence.

Boelter disguised himself as a police officer to gain entry. He wore a vest, displayed a fake badge, and carried a Taser. When officers arrived at one home, he fired at them before fleeing into nearby woods. A massive manhunt led to his arrest in a rural area near Green Isle. Authorities captured him without resistance.

Investigators confirmed Boelter acted alone. He carried a list of 70 potential targets. The list included Gov. Walz, Reps. Ilhan Omar and Amy Klobuchar, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. Planned Parenthood locations also appeared on the list.

Melissa Hortman, 54, served in the Minnesota House for two decades. She was Speaker from 2019 to 2025. She supported abortion rights and helped legalize marijuana. Known for bipartisan work, she recently voted for a GOP-backed healthcare bill that impacted undocumented residents.

Sen. Hoffman and his wife survived 17 gunshot wounds. Yvette Hoffman shared a message online, writing, “We are incredibly lucky to be alive.” She mourned the Hortmans and called the loss devastating.

President Donald Trump condemned the attack, calling it “horrific” and saying it “will not be tolerated.” Sen. Klobuchar described it as “an attack on everything we stand for as a democracy.”

Leaders from both parties responded swiftly. Rep. Pramila Jayapal urged unity and said, “We must condemn political violence.” Rep. Ro Khanna called the killings a national tragedy. Reps. Raja Krishnamoorthi and Shri Thanedar expressed sorrow and demanded justice.

Republicans also voiced strong reactions. Ohio GOP leader Vivek Ramaswamy said, “Political violence is never acceptable in America — period.”

Boelter had a complex history. He once served on a state workforce board with Sen. Hoffman. Officials are still exploring any past connection.

He worked as a security contractor and missionary. His travels took him to Africa and the Middle East. He preached in the Democratic Republic of Congo. His resume included jobs in food distribution, funeral services, and retail.

Before the shootings, Boelter sent a message to friends. He wrote that he might die and expressed love and regret.

Police criticized Boelter’s impersonation tactics. “He exploited the trust our uniforms represent,” said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley.

Gov. Walz urged Minnesotans to choose unity over hate. “One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota,” he said. “This cannot be the norm.”

Lawmakers across the country called for better security and less political division. Investigators believe Boelter acted based on ideology. They have not found links to any larger group.

Boelter will appear in court Monday afternoon in Minneapolis.