Virginia leaders react to the two Minnesota state lawmakers who were shot

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- After two Minnesota state lawmakers were shot in their homes early Saturday morning in what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is calling politically motivated, Virginia lawmakers are reacting to the shootings.

In the early morning hours of Saturday, June 14, former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed at their Brooklyn Park home in what Walz said is a politically motivated assassination. Another lawmaker, State Senator John Hoffman, and his wife were also shot multiple times and were injured in their Champlin home.

“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz said at a press conference Saturday. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”

As of the time of reporting, authorities are actively looking for a suspect hours after the respective shootings. The Associated Press (AP) reported that people who wished to remain anonymous were familiar with the matter and identified the suspect being sought as 57-year-old Vance Boelter.

Lawmakers across the Commonwealth are responding, including Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

In a social post on X, Youngkin condemned the shootings and called this a "crime against our entire republic":

"Political violence is not just a crime against those tragically killed or wounded, but a crime against our entire republic. We must all condemn this attack in the strongest possible terms, and I ask all Virginians to pray for the grieving family of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the health and recovery of John and Yvette Hoffman, and the people of Minnesota. As the search continues to bring this assassin to justice, Virginia will offer any assistance we can." Gov. Glenn Youngkin

At 11 a.m. on Saturday, Speaker Don Scott issued the following statement after reports that Hoffman and Hortman were shot in their homes by an individual posing as a police officer.

“The targeted shooting of two lawmakers and their spouses is horrifying and deeply disturbing. Let me be clear: political violence is never acceptable. Ever," he said. "We’ve got to turn the temperature down in this country. The rhetoric. The hate. The threats. It’s gone too far."

“My heart is with their families and loved ones," he added. "I’m praying for strength and comfort for everyone impacted by this horrific and vile tragedy.”

The shootings occurred at a heightened time for political leaders and Americans, as June 14 also marks the major demonstrations against President Donald Trump across the United States over federal immigration enforcement raids across the nation and right here in Richmond.

Former Congresswoman and the Democratic nominee for governor, Abigail Spanberger, said in a social post at around noon on Saturday that political violence doesn't belong in American democracy.

"The news coming out of Minnesota this morning is absolutely devastating," she said. "My heart is with the victims and their families. There is no place for political violence in our democracy — ever. We must all stand united against extremism."

The Hill reported that the FBI has joined in the investigation into both shootings that each occurred in the early morning hours, according to a statement posted by Dan Bonginio, the agency’s deputy director. Drew Evans, the Superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), said the shootings took place within two hours of one another, during the Minnesota press conference Saturday morning.

The shooting that occurred at State Senator John Hoffman's and his wife's home occurred at around 2 a.m., while the murders of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband occurred at around 3:35 a.m.

In a lengthy statement on X, Winsome Earle-Sears, Lt. Governor of Virginia and Republican nominee for governor, said that Americans must reject this violence:

"We are heartbroken to learn of the senseless and tragic loss of Minnesota Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were shot and killed. We are also praying for State Sen. John Hoffman and wife, Yvette, as they were also shot and receiving care. This type of violence has no place in our society—against anyone, for any reason. We must all stand united in rejecting hatred and political violence wherever it emerges. Our thoughts and prayers are with the Hortman family, loved ones, and all Minnesotans during this deeply painful time. Let us honor their lives not with more division, but with a renewed commitment to civility, compassion, and peace." Winsome Earle-Sears

Senator Lamont Bagby wrote on X that he is "heartbroken by the horrific and targeted murder" of Hortman and her husband, as well as the attempted assassination of Hoffman and his wife.

"Political violence has no place in our country," Bagby said. "We must reject hate and lower the temperature, now. My heart is with their families and the people of Minnesota."

Se. Mark Warner called the shootings "tragic" and "senseless" in a post on X early Saturday afternoon.

"My thoughts and prayers are with the families of the victims of this horrible violence in Minnesota," he wrote. "Political violence should have no place in America — this is a tragic, senseless act.

Rep. Bobby Scott emphasized that Americans rejecting political violence is important for the survival of the United States democracy in a social post.

"I am shocked by the killing of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette," he said. "My prayers are with the victims, their families and the state of Minnesota. While we are still learning the facts behind this heinous act, we must reject all forms of political violence. The health and survival of our democracy depend on it."

This is a developing story, stay with 8News for updates.