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State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, wounded in last weekend’s shootings that also claimed the lives of Minnesota House DFL leader Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, have issued their first statement on the events of last Saturday.
As the Hoffmans continue to recover from their injuries, they said they are “heartbroken” about the assassination of the Hortmans — noting that not only were John Hoffman and Melissa Hortman colleagues in the Legislature, but that their daughters were in school together.
The Hoffmans’ update Thursday night said John Hoffman — who was shot nine times and critically wounded — was in stable condition; Yvette Hoffman — who was shot eight times — was also reported in stable condition.
Several media outlets, including KSTP-TV, reported that Gov. Tim Walz told reporters Thursday that he had been informed Yvette Hoffman would soon be released from the hospital. The Hoffman family statement did not include that information, and Allina Health said it could not confirm it.
Prosecutors have charged Vance Boelter with attempting to kill the Hoffmans in their Champlin home, before later killing the Hortmans. Federal investigators allege Boelter told the Hoffmans he was a police officer before he opened fire when they recognized that he wasn’t law enforcement.
In their statement Thursday, the Hoffmans shared their account of what happened early Saturday, describing returning home from the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party’s annual Humphrey-Mondale Dinner the previous night, June 13. The couple’s adult daughter, Hope, was also at home.
“At approximately 2:00 a.m., we were all awakened by the sounds of pounding on the front door and shouts of someone seeking entry, identifying himself as a police officer. When the door was opened, all three of us were in the entryway,” the Hoffmans wrote.
“John initially lunged at the gunman as the weapon was pointed directly at him, getting struck nine times. As John fell, Yvette reached out to push the man and shut the door, succeeding before she was also hit eight times by gunfire. Hope then rushed to shut the door and secured the lock; she got to the phone and shared with the 911 operator that Senator John Hoffman had been shot in his home. Her brave actions and quick thinking triggered the notice to public safety officials that a politically-motivated act was potentially underway.”
The Hoffmans said they are “deeply grateful” for the medical providers, first responders, and law enforcement “who worked so quickly, professionally and selflessly to safeguard others and to apprehend the shooter, starting with our own officers in Champlin and Brooklyn Park.”
“We are uplifted by the prayers and support from so many across the state of Minnesota and the country: thank you,” the Hoffmans wrote.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson said Monday that Boelter had been planning attacks on politicians for “some time” and went to the homes of four Minnesota DFL politicians early Saturday with the “intent to kill them.” State Rep. Kristin Bahner of Maple Grove and state Sen. Ann Rest of New Hope issued statements saying they were targeted as well.
Memorial services for Melissa and Mark Hortman are pending. Mourners attended a candlelight vigil for them at the Minnesota Capitol steps Wednesday evening.
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