Police looking for a suspect in attack on minnesota legislators
Minnesota officials said they were still looking for Vance Luther Boelter, who was connected to the shots.
Iowa politicians have disowned political violence and offered condolences to families of Two minnesota state legislators after a series of violent attacks Early Saturday June 14.
The representative of the state of Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, and her husband Mark were killed by bullet, and the state senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were killed and injured in “targeted shots” in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, two neighboring suburban cities at 10 to 20 miles outside Minneapolis, said the government of Minnesota Tim Walz.
Hoffman previously lived in West of the Moines and was an active organizer with the Democrats of the County of Polk, According to a Facebook publication of the representative of Iowa State Sean Baginewski.
Minnesota police said that the suspect, identified by several press organizations as Vance Boelter, pretended to be a law enforcement manager. A list of other legislators has been found in a vehicle. An increased guarantee was ensured to those on the list. Managers also found panels with “No kings”, a reference to demonstrations against President Donald Trump This was planned across the country and asked the Minnesota residents to stay at home.
Voisin Iowa politicians have published messages of support on social networks throughout the day on June 14, offering prayers to the families of the victims and triggering the act of “political violence”.
Iowa gov. Kim Reynolds
“Horrible news out of Minnesota,” said the governor of Iowa Kim Reynolds on X. “Political violence is unacceptable, and anyone responsible for this attack must be brought to justice. We keep the victims and all the inhabitants of Minnesota in our prayers.”
American senator Chuck Grassley
The shots were “horrible news,” wrote American senator Chuck Grassley in an article on X.
He said that “violence is never the answer” and that he hoped that a suspect was “quickly brought to justice”.
Representative Ashley Hinson, the 2nd district of Iowa
“My heart is broken by the shooting of two States legislators in Minnesota,” said representative Ashley Hinson on X.
“Political violence is never acceptable and I pray for Hortman & Hoffman families and their loved ones in the midst of this horrible tragedy. The author must be held responsible for the extent of the law.”
Rep. Mariannette Miller-Meeks, 1st Iowa district
“Devastated by the horrible shootings targeting two minnesota legislators and their families,” wrote the representative Mariannette Miller-Meks on X.
“Although the reason is not clear, there is absolutely no place for political violence in America. My prayers are with Hortman and Hoffman families and all the members of the Minnesota delegation during this heartbreaking period.”
Representative Jennifer Konfrrst
The representative of the state of Iowa, Jennifer Konfrrst, who seeks the democratic appointment for the 3rd district of the Iowa congress, said that she was “horrified and devastated” after learning the attack.
“The public service, of course, means a sacrifice,” she wrote in a graph shared on social networks. “But everyone should feel safe at home and political violence has no place in our society.”
She called Hortman as “friend and colleague”.
Senator Sarah Trone-Garriott
In a video published on social networks, state senator Sarah Trone Garriott, who seeks democratic appointment for the 3rd district of the Iowa congress, described the attack on “horrible”.
Trone Garriott made prayers to the victims and their loved ones. She encouraged all iowans to “do our part” to fill the divisions and trace a better way for the country.
Representative Brian Meyer, Democratic leader of Iowa House
“Our thoughts concern the families of the two minnesota legislators and their spouses who were killed at home last night,” said representative Brian Meyer in a statement published by the Democratic Party.
“I am horrified by the apparent assassination of the former president of the Minnesota Chamber, Melissa Hortman. As legislators of the States, it is deeply disturbing to see civil servants become the subject of this type of targeted violence.”
Senator Janice Weiner, Democratic leader of the Iowa Senate
“As a legislator, human and American being, it’s horrible,” said senator Janice Weiner in a statement.
“There is never a place for this kind of violence, period. My deepest condolences to the family, friends and colleagues of the president of Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, and her husband. My prayers for healing for Senator John Hoffman and his wife. As a country, we have to stand side by side with our differences.”
Senator Jack Whitver, majority leader in the Iowa Senate
“I am deeply saddened to hear about Minnesota tragic fire,” said senator Jack Whitver, the head of the majority of the Senate of Iowa, in a statement.
“Unfortunately, today, it is again necessary to condemn political violence in all forms. Our thoughts and prayers are with the legislators and citizens of Minnesota during this unimaginable period. Our hope is that the aggressor is brought to justice and peace is translated to the victims and their families.”
Rita Hart, president of the Iowa Democratic Party
“We are horrified to learn this morning on assassination and assassination attempts in Minnesota,” wrote Rita Hart, president of the Democratic Party of Iowa, in a shared graph on social networks.
She proposed reflections to the victims and the first stakeholders before requesting the end of political violence.
“Especially today, the day of the flag, we must rely on that the United States is never a place where political violence is normal.”
(This story has been updated to add new information.)
The United States journalists Jeanie Santucci and Eduardo Cuevas contributed to this report.