Image source, Getty Images
- Author, Writing
- Author's title, BBC News World
The president of the Chamber of Representatives of Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, was shot dead next to her husband this Saturday inside her home, located near the city of Minneapolis.
Tim Walz, Governor of the State and former Democratic candidate for the United States vice presidency, described the attack as “a murder for political reasons” and “an atrocious tragedy.”
Hortman, 55 and belonged to the Democratic Party, was found dead with her husband, Mark, in the town of Brooklyn Park.
In addition, John Hoffman, a state senator of Minnesota and the Democratic Party, was injured after a similar shot attack within his home in the town of Champlin.
The 60 -year -old politician was transferred to a hospital together with his wife, Yvette, who was also injured, and both subjected to surgery. At the moment its condition is considered “reserved.”
Walz said he was “cautiously optimistic” about the state of health of the legislator.
The authorities are looking for a man who passed by police to commit both crimes.
The suspect is called Vance Luther Boelter and is a 57 -year -old white man, police said.
Image source, Getty Images
Political violence, an increasingly common phenomenon in the US
Analysis of Anthony Zurcher, BBC correspondent for North America
The tragedy that implies another episode of armed violence of high profile in the United States is aggravated by the political nature of this attack.
Two Democratic legislators were attacked along with their families in their homes. It happened in Minnesota, a state that takes pride in its friendly and relaxed attitude, where political divisions have recently intensified.
The control of the Legislature has changed repeatedly between the Republican and the Democrat from the general elections last November, when controversial special elections were held to cover vacant seats.
Political violence is not new in the United States, but it has become an increasingly common phenomenon.
The most prominent recent incidents include the fire caused in the house of the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, the entry of an aggressor with a hammer in the house of the former president of the House of Representatives, Nancy Pelosi, and, of course, the attempt to murder of Donald Trump during the last electoral campaign.
The security around the president already high -profile national politicians is strict, but thousands of state and local elected officials have minimal protection.
Today's attack, allegedly perpetrated by one or more aggressors who passed through agents of the order, is a particularly chilling reminder of it.
Image source, Minnesota State Senate
Brooklyn Park's chief Park, Mark Bruley, said the suspect used “plaque and uniform” to get the entrance to the housing of legislators and attack them.
The authorities also reported that they exchanged shots with the attacker in the vicinity of Hoffman's house.
Broley said the police are carrying out a “wide search” together with the FBI, the Swat team and hundreds of agents.
The president of the USA, Donald Trump, condemned the fact pointing out that “this type of violence has no place” in the country.
“I have been informed about the terrible shooting in Minnesota, which seems to be an attack directed against state legislators. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI are investigating the situation and will process all those involved with all the rigor of the law,” he wrote in his account of social network X.
“This horrible violence will not be tolerated in the United States. May God bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly wonderful place!” He added.
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