Minnesota Lawmaker’s Home Broken Into Days After Assassination Shocks Political and Public Safety Communities
BROOKLYN PARK, MN — In a deeply disturbing development, the home of late Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) was broken into sometime between Tuesday night and early Wednesday morning, just days after she and her husband, Mark Hortman, were gunned down in a politically motivated assassination inside their residence. The chilling series of events has sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s political circles and raised urgent concerns about the safety of public officials.
According to a news release from the Brooklyn Park Police Department, officers responded to the residence around 8:00 a.m. Wednesday after being alerted that someone had pried off plywood from a rear window—originally boarded up after Saturday’s deadly shooting—and smashed the window to gain entry into the home.
While the house appeared to have been searched, police say the family does not believe anything was taken. Investigators are working to determine whether the break-in was an opportunistic crime, a targeted act connected to the previous attack, or an attempt to tamper with the ongoing investigation.
A Community Still Reeling from Tragedy
The break-in occurred just days after a horrific shooting that left Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband dead in what Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) described as a “politically motivated assassination.” The suspect, Vance Boelter, was captured Sunday night following a two-day manhunt.
Boelter is accused of posing as a law enforcement officer to gain access to the Hortmans’ home, where he then opened fire, killing both. Shortly after, he also allegedly attacked Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman (D) and Hoffman’s wife, Yvette, at their home. Both were seriously wounded but are expected to survive.
In Boelter’s vehicle, police discovered a hit list with the names of nearly 70 individuals, including lawmakers, activists, and others tied to abortion rights and progressive causes. Authorities confirmed that Rep. Hortman and Sen. Hoffman were on the list.
The suspect, who has a long and disturbing online trail of extremist views, reportedly preached against abortion during a church service in Africa, condemning American churches for what he perceived as moral failures.
“Many churches in America didn’t listen to Jesus,” Boelter said in one clip. “The devil comes through and rips everything apart. The churches are so messed up they don’t know abortion is wrong.”
Intensifying Questions About Security for Public Servants
The assassination and subsequent break-in have cast a glaring spotlight on the vulnerability of elected officials, particularly those who advocate for reproductive rights or progressive policies. Melissa Hortman, who served with distinction in the Minnesota House of Representatives and held numerous leadership positions, was known for her strong stances on social justice, education, and abortion rights.
Her death, coupled with the targeted attack on Senator Hoffman, is raising alarms not just about physical security, but about the normalization of political violence in a country increasingly polarized.
“This wasn’t random. This was targeted,” Gov. Walz said in a press briefing. “And it represents a new and dangerous frontier in our politics—where people believe they can silence opposing voices with bullets.”
Walz, members of the Minnesota Legislature, and the U.S. Congressional delegation from Minnesota have called for a comprehensive security review for public officials, particularly those who have received threats in the past.
Ongoing Investigation and Public Outcry
Law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), and Homeland Security, continue to investigate the assassination, break-in, and the broader context of Boelter’s radicalization.
The break-in at the Hortman home, which was still being processed as a crime scene, is considered a serious breach, even though nothing appears to have been taken. The presence of a police trailer camera outside the home raises further questions about how the perpetrator managed to enter undetected.
Some believe the incident may have been an act of intimidation or message-sending, particularly given the recent, high-profile nature of the killings and the political motivation behind them.
Remembering Melissa and Mark Hortman
Tributes continue to pour in for Rep. Melissa Hortman, who served her constituents for over a decade and was a passionate voice for equity, the environment, and women’s rights. Her husband, Mark, a beloved teacher and community volunteer, is being remembered for his warmth and quiet strength.
A joint memorial service is being planned, and security for the event will be significantly heightened. Lawmakers and citizens alike are calling on both state and federal authorities to act decisively to prevent future violence.
“Melissa stood for progress, compassion, and courage,” one former colleague said. “Her voice cannot be silenced. Her values will live on in the laws she helped write and the lives she touched.”
What Comes Next
As Minnesota—and the nation—grapples with this escalating pattern of political violence, there is a renewed call for bipartisan unity to condemn extremist threats and protect public servants. Vigils, tributes, and rallies are expected in the coming days across the state.
The investigation into both the shootings and the recent break-in is ongoing. Anyone with information is urged to contact Brooklyn Park Police or submit anonymous tips through Crimestoppers.