Melissa Hortman was shot dead in her home. The killer had a list with 70 more names on it.

On Friday night, a US politician and her husband went to sleep in their Minneapolis home.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, a gunman posing as a police officer entered their home in the suburb of Brooklyn Park and shot Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.

They were both killed. They leave behind two children.

Hours earlier, similar scenes occurred a few suburbs away in Champlin.

The gunman entered the home of senator John Hoffman and shot the politician and his wife multiple times.

Both were rushed to hospital to undergo surgery and are expected to make a recovery.

Both Hortman and Hoffman were affiliated members of the Democratic Party.

Hortman's death has been described as an "assassination".

State senator Mark Hoffman and House representative Melissa Hortman.

How the 'politically motivated' attacks unfolded.

Drew Evans, Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said police arrived at Hoffman's home around 2am on Saturday.

Around 90 minutes later, police "proactively" made their way to Hortman's home, where they engaged in gunfire with the suspect before he fled.

Authorities are pointing towards political motivations behind the attacks and have identified the suspect as 57-year-old, Vance Boelter, who remains at large. The FBI has launched a manhunt, and a reward of up to $50k (USD) is being offered for anyone who has information that could lead to Boelter's arrest.

In connection to today’s shootings, law enforcement are searching for Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old male. He was wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, dark-colored, long-sleeved, collared shirt or jacket, light pants & dark bag. Tips: bca.tips@state.mn.us or 877-996-6222. pic.twitter.com/9aO1gp5sTR

— Minnesota Department of Public Safety (@MnDPS_DPS) June 14, 2025

Brooklyn Park (MN) police chief, Mark Bruley, said evidence collected by investigators uncovered a manifesto in the car Boelter had been driving. The document included a hit list featuring the names of around 70 "lawmakers and other officials" giving reasonable cause to suggest the gunman intends to claim more victims.

It's alleged he posed as a police officer by using a fake badge, uniform and an SUV dressed to look like a squad car complete with flashing lights.

FBI released images of the suspect wearing a mask as he attempted to gain access to one of the lawmaker's homes.

Home security video captured the suspect dressed in an officer's uniform with a mask. Image: FBI

Authorities said the people listed had been alerted and provided assistance in ensuring their ongoing safety.

At the time of publication, officials have urged Minneapolis residents to stay inside and refrain from opening the door to any individuals claiming to be police officers.

In response to the shooting attacks, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, fronted the media to pay his respects to Hortman.

He said he believed her killing was "a politically motivated assassination".

"An unspeakable tragedy has unfolded in Minnesota. Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends. She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many," he said.

He also went on to condemn politically motivated violence and urged Americans to engage in mindful debate.

"Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy," he told reporters. "We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint."

Minnesota Secretary of State, Steve Simon, went to law school with Hortman and has described her as "a bright shining light of a human being," in a post on X.

Feature Image: Glen Stubbe/Star Tribune via AP File.