Minnesota Vikings helmet and Melissa Hortman.Minnesota Vikings helmet and Melissa Hortman (Photos via Imagn Images and Minnesota Legislature)
The Minnesota Vikings have released a statement on the horrific assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, John.

On Saturday morning, news broke that Melissa and John Hortman were assassinated at their home. Police responded to the scene just after 3:30 a.m., and a man posing as a cop shot at the responding officers before escaping. About 90 minutes earlier, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot at their home. Both underwent surgery and are recovering from their wounds.

The suspect has been identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, whom authorities are still searching for.

After the tragic deaths of John and Melissa Hortman, the Minnesota Vikings released the following statement, stating they were “shocked and saddened by” the horrifying events:

“As Minnesotans and a team that cares deeply about our state, we are shocked and saddened by the targeted overnight attacks that took the lives of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and seriously injured State Senator Jon Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

“Our organization has worked closely with both legislators and appreciated their duties as civil servants. Speaker Emerita Hortman was a friend of the Vikings for more than 15 years and a tremendous state leader who worked tirelessly to make Minnesota a better place for all residents.

She was a mother, a wife and a friend who genuinely cared about people and relationships. Our prayers are with the Hortman family as they grieve this tragedy and with all government officials who are mourning the loss of a colleague and friend. We hope for fast and full recoveries for Senator Hoffman and Yvette and safety for all members of law enforcement who continue to search for those responsible.

“These senseless acts should have no place in our communities, our state or our society. We must all unequivocally condemn political violence, reject hateful division, and deliberately work toward mutual respect, compassion and unity.”

 

John and Melissa Hortman had two children together. She began serving as a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives in 2005.

Our thoughts are with the families and friends of the Hoffmans and Hortmans during this difficult time.

Boelter is a white male, 57 years of age, 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds with brown eyes. Authorities are asking the public to call local law enforcement if they think they see Boelter, and to not approach the suspect.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz: Assassinations Of Mark & Melissa Hortman Were “Politically Motivated”

Melissa Hortman (Photo via @melissahortman/X Twitter)

Speaking to reporters after the tragedy, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the assassinations of the Hortmans appear to be “politically motivated.”

In a separate statement, Walz praised Hortman as “a great leader,” who “served the state “with grace, compassion, and tirelessness.” He concluded his statement with the message, “We will not let fear win.”