Murder of Democratic Representative in the United States: Manhunt Underway

Hundreds of police officers were searching Saturday for the suspect in the murder of a Minnesota local official, who was killed in her home in a "deliberate act of political violence," according to Tim Walz, governor of the northern US state. Another local official and his wife, also targeted overnight, were seriously injured.

Melissa Hortman's death comes at a time of already tense conditions in the United States , with troops deployed to Los Angeles to quell protests, a military parade in Washington and anti-Trump rallies across the country.

Police identified Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old white man , as the prime suspect Saturday afternoon, being sought by hundreds of officers in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis.

He should be considered "armed and dangerous," Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Investigation, told reporters, asking residents to help police find him while remaining cautious.

"He was last seen this morning wearing a light cowboy hat ," he added, providing a photo.

"Terrible" attack

Donald Trump quickly denounced a " terrible" attack, with his Attorney General insisting that "this horrific political violence will not be tolerated."

The suspect, who fled on foot after an exchange of gunfire with police, left in his car leaflets bearing the name of the anti-Trump protests, "No Kings," as well as a manifesto listing numerous elected officials, including Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman.

The two Democrats were shot at their respective homes in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis in the middle of the night from Friday to Saturday, according to police.

Around 2 a.m., the gunman first targeted local senator John Hoffman and his wife, who live in the town of Champlin. Both were "shot multiple times" and were treated at the hospital, and "we are reasonably optimistic that they will survive this assassination attempt," Democratic Governor Tim Walz said at a press conference Saturday morning.

Then, around 3:30 a.m., while going to check, as a precaution, the home of Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park, a few kilometers away, the police came across the assailant, who "immediately shot at them," Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Investigation, told the press.

"The individual managed to escape during the exchange of fire," he added, leaving his car at the scene. Security has been increased for elected officials on the suspect's list, according to the Congressional Police in Washington.

However, it is too early to determine the motive for the crime, Drew Evans said Saturday afternoon. An anti-Trump demonstration planned nearby has been canceled by organizers.

Elected "irreplaceable"

Melissa Hortman, who along with her husband Mark were the victims of what Tim Walz said was "a politically motivated assassination," had been a member of the Minnesota House of Representatives since 2004, where she was also the former speaker.

A 55-year-old mother of two, she will be "irreplaceable," he said.

Melissa Hortman "had dedicated her life to serving the people of Minnesota with integrity and compassion," state senator Amy Klobuchar wrote on X, saying she was " shocked and horrified."

"Calm political discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't resolve our conflicts with gunshots," insisted Governor Tim Walz, a former running mate of Democratic candidate Kamala Harris in last November's presidential election.

Several targeted attacks against political leaders have recently taken place in the United States. Last July, Donald Trump escaped an assassination attempt during a campaign rally in Pennsylvania. In 2022, the husband of Nancy Pelosi, then Democratic leader of the House of Representatives, was attacked with a hammer at his home in California.