When bullets were fired into Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman’s home early Saturday morning, his wife threw herself on top of her daughter.
According to relatives, Yvette Hoffman responded to the gunfire by attempting to shield her daughter as bullets were fired through the front door of the family home. According to police, the Hoffmans were political assassin Vance Boelter’s first target.
Police said Boelter, 57, arrived at the Hoffmans’ home around 2 a.m. dressed as a police officer and fired multiple rounds through the door. He then went to the home of state Representative Melissa Hortman, killing both her and her husband Mark. Boelter was arrested and charged with murder.
Yvette and her husband were injured in the shooting at their home, but both are expected to survive.
“My aunt threw herself on her daughter, using her body as a shield to save her life,” Mat Ollig wrote on Facebook, according to the Minneapolis Star Tribune. “Fingers crossed that they stay stable. This is simply a huge shock. He has no enemies. “Just a good guy who wants the best for everyone.”
According to the newspaper, the couple’s daughter Hope is in her twenties and was born with spina bifida.
Police arrived as Boelter was leaving Hortman’s home and exchanged gunfire with him. Boelter fled on foot and abandoned the car he was driving. Inside the car, police discovered a hit list of 70 names that included progressive leaders, elected officials, and abortion rights supporters.
Investigators also discovered flyers that read “No Kings,” which could be a reference to anti-Donald Trump protests, according to KSTP.
Democratic Governor Tim Walz appointed Boelter to the Workforce Development Board in 2016 and reappointed him in 2019. His term on the board ended in 2023, and he was replaced, according to KSTP.
Hoffman is currently listed as a member of the Workforce Development Board, but it is unclear whether their memberships overlap. The advisory board is large, with several dozen members.
