Minnesota Lawmaker Couple Survives Assassination Attempt After Being Shot 17

TimesThe Voice News: State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, are recovering after surviving a shocking assassination attempt that left them with 17 gunshot wounds. The attack occurred early Saturday morning at their home in Champlin, Minnesota.In a public statement, Yvette Hoffman said she and her husband are “incredibly lucky to be alive.” John was struck by nine bullets and is currently undergoing multiple surgeries. Yvette sustained eight bullet wounds.“We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark. We have no words. There is never a place for this kind of political hate,” she added, referring to Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, who were killed in a similar attack just an hour later at their home in Brooklyn Park.The suspected gunman, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, remains at large. Authorities say he was disguised as a police officer and used a car outfitted with flashing lights to carry out the attacks. The FBI has placed Boelter on its most-wanted list, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture. The manhunt now spans across state lines, including into South Dakota.Investigators found that Boelter had compiled a target list of prominent Minnesota Democrats, including Governor Tim Walz, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, Representative Ilhan Omar, and State Attorney General Keith Ellison. Officials now believe the attacks were politically motivated.”This is clearly politically motivated,” Senator Klobuchar said in an interview with NBC’s Meet the Press.Authorities recovered Boelter’s abandoned car in Sibley County, around 50 miles from the crime scene. Nearby, they found a cowboy hat similar to one he was seen wearing during the attack. His wife, Jenny Boelter, was briefly detained with relatives during a traffic stop in Onamia, more than 100 miles from their home, but was later released after cooperating with police.Tragically, during the attack, Yvette Hoffman reportedly shielded her daughter, Hope—who has spina bifida—with her own body, potentially saving her life.The twin attacks have shaken the Minneapolis suburbs. Bullet holes now mark the Hoffmans’ front door, and police presence remains high outside both crime scenes. Residents have described their neighborhoods as quiet, safe places—now turned into the backdrop of what many are calling a political assassination attempt.Local residents, stunned by the violence, shared their grief. “What a big loss for Minnesota,” said one neighbor who had received annual Christmas cards from the Hortmans. Another, Brian Liebhard of Sibley County, said, “This guy needs to get caught… I don’t agree with all the politicians’ views, but this is just sad—the guy went wacko.”As the search continues, Minnesota mourns the loss of two public servants and prays for the recovery of another.