Additional Coverage:
- Minnesota lawmaker who survived shooting shares harrowing account of how the attack unfolded (cnn.com)
Champlin, Minnesota – State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, released a statement Thursday night detailing the terrifying attack they survived in their home last Saturday. The couple, along with their adult daughter Hope, were confronted by a masked gunman posing as a police officer at their door around 2 a.m.
According to the statement, Senator Hoffman lunged at the intruder after he pointed a gun at him, and was shot nine times. Yvette Hoffman was also shot eight times as she attempted to push the assailant and close the door. Their daughter, Hope, was able to secure the door and call 911, alerting authorities to the potential political motivation behind the attack.
The Hoffmans’ statement expressed gratitude for the law enforcement officers and first responders who apprehended the suspect, identified as Vance Boelter, after a 43-hour manhunt. They also shared their grief over the fatal shooting of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, whose daughter was a school friend of Hope Hoffman.
Both John and Yvette Hoffman underwent surgery and are recovering, with John listed in critical but stable condition and Yvette in stable condition. The family also thanked the community for their outpouring of support, acknowledging a GoFundMe account established to help them rebuild their lives.
While recognizing the inherent risks of public service, the Hoffmans expressed concerns over the escalating climate of political violence. They called for a return to civility and peaceful discourse, emphasizing the importance of this for future generations. Boelter is currently facing multiple state and federal charges.