Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has called for a response filled with “grace and compassion” following a violent incident that targeted state lawmakers and their spouses.
Walz described the tragic quadruple shooting, which reportedly involved the gunman Vance Bolter, as an unacceptable way to handle political disagreements. The suspect has been arrested after a thorough manhunt.
Bolter is alleged to have posed as a police officer and fatally shot Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, before moving on to former Senator Melissa Hortman’s home, where both she and her husband, Mark, were killed.
“Now is the time to reflect on our nation’s core values… engage with your neighbors. It’s about having conversations, being civil,” Walz remarked.
“This isn’t about hatred or social media conflicts. It’s about striving for grace, compassion, compromise, and decency,” he emphasized.
This stands in stark contrast to his remarks made just two weeks earlier at the South Carolina Democratic Convention, where he encouraged party members to become more outspoken against Trump. He had suggested, perhaps provocatively, that “maybe it’s time for us to be a little mean” during his keynote speech, to much applause from the audience.
At a press conference on Sunday, Walz urged all Americans to honor the legacy of the late Hortman.
“Let us remember Melissa’s dedication to public service, which was characterized by selflessness and kindness,” he said, highlighting her unique position as the only Democratic member who joined Republicans in removing healthcare provisions for undocumented immigrants from the budget bill this year.
The shocking murders set off one of the largest manhunts in Minnesota history, culminating in the suspect being tracked down in a wooded area of rural Sibley County southwest of Minneapolis after authorities received credible tips about his whereabouts.
