On Thursday, a Minnesota senator and his wife released their first statement following a shooting incident last weekend that also involved the tragic deaths of state Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband, Mark.
“We are heartbroken to hear about the assassination of our friends Melissa and Mark Hortman,” expressed Senator John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette.
“Our daughters, Hope and Sophie, attended school together. We all feel the heavy impact of that awful night, especially alongside Colin, and we understand the need for support among them,” they mentioned, referencing Hortman’s children.
Both Hoffman and Yvette were taken to the hospital due to injuries sustained in the shooting. Yvette was released on Thursday, while John’s condition remains critical.
“Choosing a career in public service, even with John’s relatively brief tenure as a senator, has always come with privacy sacrifices. Now, we’re facing the unsettling reality that public service can lead to such violence when there’s a disagreement or dislike towards one’s position,” they noted.
“As a society, we need to collaborate to revive a level of civility where everyone can coexist peacefully. Our children’s future hinges on this. We aspire for this change and are grateful to everyone who joins us in this effort,” the Hoffmans continued.
Lawmakers across the political spectrum have denounced the shooting, though some states have initiated measures to safeguard the home addresses of politicians. Investigations are treating the shooting as politically motivated.
Sofia and Colin Hortman released a statement on Tuesday regarding the incident, stating, “Hope and resilience stand against fear. Our parents dedicated their lives to serving others. This tragedy should be a turning point for us to unite. Embrace your loved ones a bit tighter.”
They added, “The best tribute to our parents’ memory is to take action, whether large or small, to improve our community for others.”
Meanwhile, a suspect, Vance Belter, was arrested on Sunday and charged with stalking and murder. He also faces federal murder charges that were filed earlier this week. Authorities discovered a list of other potential targets in Belter’s car, including lawmakers and prominent officials.
