"Outstanding Leader": Minnesota Mourns Assassinated Lawmaker Melissa Hortman as Suspect Is Arrested
After the biggest manhunt in Minnesota history, authorities have detained 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who is accused of fatally shooting democratic lawmaker and former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark in their Minnesota home early on Saturday in what authorities say were politically motivated assassinations. He is also accused of wounding state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home in a separate shooting.
Melissa Hortman was an outstanding leader that was very loved and respected by many people, and what this means for us is that we lost a leader that was very important to us, says Patricia Torres Ray, a former Minnesota state senator and a former colleague of both Hortman and Hoffman.
Police say they found three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm handgun and a hit list written by the gunman that contained the names of about 70 people, including prominent Democratic lawmakers and abortion providers and advocates. Flyers for Saturdays No Kings rallies were also found, prompting many organizers in Minnesota to cancel their protests.
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