Two state lawmakers were shot Saturday morning in their homes in Minnesota, one fatally. Representative Melissa Hortman, Senator John Hoffman, and their spouses are said to be the victims of politically motivated violence. Hortman, former speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband Mark were killed in the attack on their home.

Images have been released of the suspected gunman, Vance Luther Boelter, going up to the front door of Hortman’s residence wearing a full mask and police attire. In Boelter’s car, authorities found posters for the “No Kings” movement, writings that may have served as motivations for the attack, names of abortion facilities, and a list of lawmakers who are abortion rights advocates.

Boelter is said to have worked in the security industry, along with running a religious nonprofit, and working for several large food companies in the past 25 years. Governors Mark Dayton and Tim Walz both appointed him to serve on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board in 2016 and 2019. Sen. Hoffman also sat on this advisory group, but the extent of their interactions is not currently known.  

Rep. Hortman was until earlier this year the Minnesota House of Representatives’ Minority Leader for the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (DFL). On Saturday, the House DFL Caucus released a statement reflecting on her service and adherence to the “Golden Rule: to whom much is given, much is expected.'” Hortman earned a BA in political science and philosophy from Boston University, a JD from the University of Minnesota, and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School.

Sen. Hoffman is also a member of the DFL, and is currently in his fourth term. He and his wife  Yvettewere both shot multiple times, but are expected to survive.

Boelter has yet to be apprehended. The FBI has posted a $50,000 award for information that leads to his arrest and conviction. Both lawmakers, as well as their spouses, were attacked inside their respective homes.