Public sentiment around the Minnesota lawmaker shootings is characterized by shock, outrage, and fear over political violence. Many comments express skepticism towards the motivations behind the shootings and concern over the potential manipulation of narratives by political figures and media. There's a significant distrust towards law enforcement and a belief that the shooter may receive leniency due to political connections. Overall, the public is calling for justice, accountability, and stricter gun laws while expressing deep sorrow for the victims and their families.

Minnesota Lawmakers

Governor Tim Walz

Law Enforcement

Awkward_Definition97

Getting a lot of detail from the press conference.

Officers proactively went to Rep Hortman's house after hearing of the shooting in Champlin to check on things. As they pulled up, they identified an SUV decked out as a police vehicle with bumpers &amp; lights and a man dressed as a police officer (vest, taser, badge) exiting the home. 

The suspect immediately exchanged fire with the officers and fled back into the home before escaping out the back of the home. They have the suspect's vehicle but the suspect remains at large.

Manifesto was recovered in the vehicle and named many local officials who have been notified.

------

Edit: Adding to my comment because I'm a local and I'm sick of the garbage spin from conservatives across the internet. From local news interviewing his roommate and "best friend since 4th grade" -- "Vance Boelter voted for Trump, and that he was a strong supporter".

https://x.com/NoLieWithBTC/status/1934020770419651059?t=T1KmuIda2YgOTs_uVPGSrg&amp;s=19

Longer report from Kare 11 local news where the above tweet was clipped from:

https://www.kare11.com/video/news/local/shooting-suspects-roommate-says-he-was-a-trump-voter/89-d41aeccb-5702-4488-9373-dae149eefebf

bulletbait

By a person impersonating a police officer… yup… this is going to end well

AdditionalAmoeba6358

According to [this article](https://www.fox9.com/news/melissa-hortman-john-hoffman-lawmakers-shot-minnesota.amp) both of their spouses were shot as well.

sweetcherrytea

The fact the suspect was apparently impersonating as a member of law enforcement is terrifying 

zyyp

Both Democrats (DFL is the Minnesota Democratic Farmer Labor party), one state senator and one state representative.

Among the multitude of things absolutely horrific about this, both chambers in the Minnesota State Congress are razor thin margins. House of Representatives is tied and the DFL holds a 1 seat advantage in the Senate. I have not been able to find any reporting on the condition of the victims, but I'm hoping since no casualties have been reported that they are all going to survive.

ETA: Representative Hortman and her husband have died.

1829bullshit

Reminds me of every time they say "but the officers yelled out that they were police, why didnt they just do everything they said right away afterwards"

omgfineillsignupjeez

&gt;Minnesota state senator John Hoffman in Champlin and Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park were reportedly shot in their homes by a gunman impersonating a police officer.

Which is exactly why law enforcement shouldn't be wearing masks while about their work.

JauntyLurker

This is fucking awful and scary. The status of their wellbeing is currently unknown but I hope they pull through, my god.

crystal_clear24

thats why we need to stop setting the precedent that police don’t need to identify themselves, can cover their faces, and that we should just comply without any proof. this is exactly what we all said would happen. i hope them and their spouses recover quickly :(

lilluz

I've met both of them, they are really nice hard-working people that care about their people...  this is bullshit.

angstt

This is going to a national story by tonight.

kmelby33

Not shot. Not murdered. Not killed. Assassinated. It was a political assassination.

msjg

This is what happens when you let officers obstruct their identities.  Criminals will have an easier time impersonating them.

adchick

[deleted]

* Melissa Hortman (Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party - former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives)
* John Hoffman (Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party)

lostharbor

Violence against Democrat state senators and representatives….

I’m sure trump will denounce this and not make some ambivalent statement about both sides….. right?

Ban-Circumcision-Now

Two democrats from Minnesota shot on the same night???? And PA governors house burnt down in attempted murder just over month ago? It almost seems like there’s someone encouraging this behavior!

forgottentaco420

So I’m square here: 

In the past week, we’ve had civilian terrorists dressed as law enforcement and terrorist law enforcement dressed as civilians, but the actual law enforcement officers are the ones in masks. 

Did I get all that right?

PracticableSolution

Dressed as police officer. White male, black SUV. Still loose. Do not open door or get out of car unless TWO police officers are present.

Lestranger-1982

Watch, the FBI will drag their feet on this because of the political affiliation.

secderpsi

Both members of the MN Democratic-Farmer-Labor party. 

This is right-wing terrorism and political violence.

Edit: it looks like the suspect was targeting multiple DEMOCRATIC lawmakers, as well as abortion providers. He is associated with a security company and has had military training.

Regardless of whether this person was RE-appointed to the Governor’s Workforce Development Board by Walz, that does not prove any political affiliation.

I stand by my assessment that this is right-wing political violence, and condemn it regardless if this assessment is found to be false. 

Speaks volumes when there are crickets when something like this happens, but once there is a hint of partisanship that falls in the right’s favor, these trolls come out to gloat. 

A message to you - you hate the left so much, but these are your neighbors. You want to hurt them so bad, but instead only hurt all of us. 

Get fucked.


**Edit 2: the fact that i am receiving personal threats and wishes for me to kill myself tells me all i need to know.**

**This is Trump’s America - MAGA is a bunch of domestic terrorists. At least THIS veteran didn’t forget his oath to the Constitution.**

_______________________

#He was a Trump voter. Right-wing terrorism, end of story. 

https://youtu.be/gaiQipc64_M

Hobohemia_

Two democrats shot in their homes by people imitating police/ICE tactics. This is the violence you can continue to expect under the Trump regime.

interknight1995

What a crazy, crazy timeline. The 2000s seem like a fever dream now what the fuck happened to everyone?

GodsBicep

Geee, I wonder where they got the idea from?

rideadove

When cops are allowed to wear masks and hide their identities, everyone can be a cop

MrTagnan

I would ask what party they belong to, but I have a good idea.

cjp2010

Will the perpetrator be found with as many resources as were used when the billionare CEO of United Health Care was killed? It'll be interesting to see...

Adventurous_Radio_90

&gt;“Police are looking for a suspect in multiple targeted shootings who is armed and dangerous,” Brooklyn Park Police said in an emergency alert sent to residents at 5:30 a.m. “Suspect is white male, brown hair, wearing black body armor over blue shirt and blue pants and may misrepresent himself as law enforcement.”

https://bnonews.com/index.php/2025/06/minnesota-hoffman-hortman-shooting/

genital_lesions

It’s come to the point where I now believe we have more enemies inside our borders than outside

EagleIndependent7650

Why do people not want to put Democratic in the title. They were targeted for that reason. Seems super relevant and factual.

rdereknewell

Sadly, it was just a matter of time; you have cops and ICE agents in masks, and the patch ICE wears can be easily brought online. This is why law enforcement shouldn't be allowed to wear masks or hide their badges. This rightwing terrorism is on the GOP. One day, Trump will be gone, but we have to remember that it didn't start with him; the rot of the party has always been there, he's just boiled over that we can see.

I hope the state reps can recover.

tydestra

Are we sure the gunman was IMPERSONATING an officer?

EpicPartyGuy

"The coup will be bloodless if the left allows it to be"

the far right are already waging a civil war. Learn how to defend yourselves and your communities.

Fleagonzales

News sources now reporting Melissa Hortman has been killed

cinnasota

By the description of the shooter, isn't he just an ICE agent or local cop? They say he was impersonating a police officer but how do we know he isn't actually one? We really think the FBI or local PD is going to do anything to find this person?

Sobeman

Democratic lawmakers assassinated in their own homes. 

This is where we are.

charliehustles

Nothing on TV news about Democratic politicians getting shot. What is wrong America?

Wizinit29

99% sure this was caused by the rhetoric of Trump and other Republicans. Stochastic terrorism by your goverment.

litnu12

Arm yourselves, americans.  It's your right, and now it's your survival.

splitsticks

SHAME on this “journalism”. These are Democrats and not some vague “lawmakers”.

This is what our country is coming to. Buried facts, soft focus on republican vileness, and a slide into fascism.

areallycleverid

yellowHastur

White guy impersonating a police officer killing two democrats. We all know this is a maga trump worshipper.

yalogin

I look forward to Trumpers trying to downplay this and saying people shouldnt politicize political assassinations. Americans need to wake up to what their country is quickly becoming.

JadedArgument1114

Suspect had a manifesto in his car with a list of other politician names

malfano

How many people were shot in LA by "rioters"? Zero.

Where's the national guard and marines in Minnesota to chase down the actual violent wicked criminals in this country, if that's how they're being used?

penguished

NBC saying one of the husbands dived on their 20yo daughter to shield her. Yeesh.

peilearceann

The vast vast majority of domestic terrorists are right wing and it's not even remotely close. Right wing violence was the ONLY crime stat that's been rising the last few years and Trumps administration closed investigations into it

o_MrBombastic_o

Donald trump, Kristi noem, Mike johnson, and Ron DeSantis EACH used violent and inciteful language this week against political opposition. They called for this. All 4 of those digesting vile monsters should be impeached and removed from office immediately and be charged for inciting insurrection.

DarthBluntSaber

Honestly, I don't put anything past current-day Republicans. They'll ignore judges' orders, kidnap people off the street with unidentifiable agents, and send them to a foreign concentration camp. Why wouldn't they start murdering political opposition? There is no law and order anymore. The most corrupt lawless administration in our history.

I'm not saying it is a conspiracy, more likely it's just a random psycho maga hog. But I'm just saying it's possible.

anon-a-SqueekSqueek

Tanks in the streets of DC and a MAGA domestic terrorist on the loose in Minnesota. Who voted for this?

PathAlternativ3

Impossible to tell legal police officers doing crimes from illegal police officers doing crimes.

Mlb1993

Turns out those Second Amendment types were not against tyranny at all, they're on the side of the tyrants.

jd158ug

Welcome to the end result of twenty years of violent rhetoric with zero consequences.

Cigaran

It doesn’t matter what side of the political spectrum you reside on, this is an absolute tragedy. Fuck the person/people who did this and I hope they suffer for their actions.

timberwolvesguy

SucculentSteamedHams

To sort this thread by 'newest comments first', [click or tap here](https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/1lbaya0/megathread_two_minnesota_lawmakers_have_been_shot/?sort=new).

To sort this thread by 'best comments first', [click or tap here](https://www.reddit.com/r/politics/comments/1lbaya0/megathread_two_minnesota_lawmakers_have_been_shot/?sort=confidence).

PoliticsModeratorBot

Domestic Terrorist, dressed as police officer, assassinated Democrat Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. As well as attempted to assassinate Democrat Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. 

Please, let’s not downplay any of this. So far I’ve seen Tim Walz call it an assassination, good for him.

keytotheboard

NoctisVex

Two Democratic Lawmakers* party affiliation is a crucial aspect of this politically motivated assassination and act of domestic terrorism.

kllys

They were assassinated. Use the correct words.

Temporary_Ability996

Yes let’s call it for what it is. It was an assassination. I’m sick of these news articles downplaying it.

memphisjones

Remember when someone tried to do this to Nancy Pelosi with a hammer, and wound up attacking her husband instead, Junior’s response was to laugh about it.

sonofabutch

This is what happened in Argentina. This is what happened in Brazil.

Protest today, and make preparations to defend yourselves tomorrow.

Sad_Dirt_841

The fucking military parade is going to look even worse. Holding an ego stroking “show of force” the day two lawmakers were assassinated is fucking absurd

tresben

They had an SUV car equipped with the proper emergency lighting and it looked exactly like a police vehicle…. Man wtf is going on.

threestaruser

Waste_Molasses_936

[https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-scales-back-staffing-tracking-domestic-terrorism-probes-sources-say-2025-03-21/](https://www.reuters.com/world/us/fbi-scales-back-staffing-tracking-domestic-terrorism-probes-sources-say-2025-03-21/)

Kash needs to be removed from his job.

Not a peep from Trump's fat ass. Still rambling about his stupid birthday party parade though

Edit: Trump finally took a break from his birthday party to copy/paste the statement on Truth Social.

longtermattention

[Conservative sub blaming CNN, MSNBC and ABC for the radicalization of a right wing nut who likely never watched those stations. ](https://ibb.co/tp04LXfV) Absolutely insane cognitive dissonance.

ArchdruidHalsin

Assassinated, not shot. Call it what it is.

CombustiblSquid

RowAwayJim71

When Republicans tell you that [they're domestic terrorists](https://www.snopes.com/fact-check/cpac-banner-domestic-terrorists/), believe them.

SodaCanBob

ande4100

Were assassinated by a domestic terrorist***

linoleum79

Please change the title to them being assassinated. We can't minimize this in any way

Dr_DoesNothing

You can see the right wingers kick the disinfo into overdrive as the reality starts to set in that this guy was a prototypical Conservative Christian Nationalist who had a kill list of left politicians and doctors who provided abortions.

arsene14

I will never forgive trump voters. Never.

txtoolfan

The narrative of "the violent radical leftist Democrats" will not budge an inch.  This assassination will be a complete non-starter in the minds of anyone one the right. I quarantee it. 

Valahiru

Both CNN and ABC are now reporting that the suspect's list included state and federal Democratic politicians, along with abortion providers and abortion rights activists... and the right is still trying to spin this as a democrat....

YeetedApple

"Two Democratic elected officials in Minnesota have been victims of a targeted assassination attempt by a MAGA terrorist"\*

\*Likely one of the pardoned January 6th terrorists

JWTS6

Turns out he's a crazy Christian Nationalist

LeeShakerMoneyMaker

The dude had a manifesto of 70 names that were exclusively Democratic politicians(including Tim Walz), as well as abortion providers and abortion activists. Anyone trying to claim he’s liberal or a leftist or anything like that is either not engaging in good faith or is entirely brainwashed by right wing propaganda.

AnAwkwardJedi

one was assassinated by domestic terrorist(s)

L0uZilla

What are the odds it’s a pardoned Jan 6th-er.

Pave_Low

For those of you going to a No Kings protest today: Don't let this sway you the other way. 

To quote Tim Walz: "Fascists thrive on fear."

Be there. Be peaceful. Be vigilant.

svrtngr

I hadn't read this bit before. Assuming that it's not an actual cop it should be easier to find the assassin. 

&gt;The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that “looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,”

ToNoMoCo

It's absolutely fascinating how few news outlets are calling this an assassination.

mowotlarx

This case is crazy I just saw the press conference. So, after police found the first couple shot (politician and their spouse), an officer on the scene wanted to send other officers to a politician that lived nearby. As the officers arrived at the second location, a “police officer” was leaving the house. When the officers confronted the “officer” leaving the house, the suspect then immediately began firing at them and retreated back into the house. At some point, the suspect escaped the house through the back of the house, and is currently still at large. The police have formed a perimeter and are searching for the suspect.

The suspect was dressed in a complete uniform of a law enforcement officer, with a black tactical vest, taser, weapon (obviously), etc. The suspect also had a SUV that looked identical to a police vehicle, including having lights. A “manifest” was found in the vehicle, with names of other politicians.

In California ICE and other individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers, do not wear any identifying uniforms or badges, are often masked, and do not present badges before handcuffing and taking people away. A major concern in California, is someone perpetrating being an officer and just simply kidnaps someone, with their face covered, no identifying clothing or badges, pretending to be a LEO.

ASebastian2020

AbjectList8

That “We are all domestic terrorists” banner at CPAC was a threat, not a joke.

Manos_Of_Fate

It speaks volumes that conservatives are desperately posting non-credible sources to “prove” it was a democrat, while leftists are not worried or obsessed about names until a major credible news source breaks the story.

Sufficient_Long_3905

The amount of conservatives brigading is hilarious 

MikeyMud

Speaker Johnson just days ago called for the governor of California to be violently attacked.

TimmyB52

"The suspect was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that “looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights and looked exactly like a police vehicle,” Bruley said."

Uh huh. "Looked" exactly like or...? This looks really bad and if they don't catch this person its going to look even worse.

Commentator-X

Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old man from Minnesota, has been charged with the murder of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and attempted murder of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The shootings occurred under alleged politically motivated intentions.

Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings

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