According to a family member, the wife of Minnesota Senator John Hoffman defended the couple’s daughter during the weekend’s “politically motivated assassination” attempt at their home by flinging herself “on top” of the woman and “using her body as a shield to save her life.”
Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman’s nephew, Mat Ollig, said that, “[The daughter] was not hit.”
The couple was at their Champlin home when Hope Hoffman, a woman in her 20s, was allegedly the target of two coordinated attacks by 57-year-old Vance Boetler on Hoffman and Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman. Boetler killed Hortman and her husband early on Saturday following the Hoffman shooting.
In a since-deleted Facebook post on Saturday, Ollig stated, “Early this morning, an absolute vile piece of s— dressed as a cop broke into my aunt and uncle’s house and shot him six and my aunt five times in a political act of terrorism.”
“My aunt saved her daughter’s life by throwing herself on her and using her body as a shield. I’m so sick,” Ollig murmured.
Hoffman entered politics in large part because of Hope, who was born with spina bifida. The senator previously stated that he wished to represent individuals with disabilities. Ollig mentioned this on Facebook.
“He went into politics to help people with disabilities get the care they need, and she works with young school children,” Ollig stated. “They have always been there for me and everyone in our family and community.”
When Champlin Police arrived at the Hoffmans’ house at around two in the morning on Saturday, they discovered the couple alive but with gunshot wounds. According to investigators, Boetler allegedly moved on to the Hortmans’ Brooklyn Park home and killed them at around 3:30 a.m. Officers arrived minutes later, but were shot as Boetler left and fled on foot.
According to investigators, Boetler was donning a mask and police uniform when the shootings occurred. Outside the Hortman residence, a car that looked like a police SUV with bright lights was discovered, along with a manifesto that contained the names of further targets.
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According to police, Vance Boelter later ran away to a house near 49th and Fremont in Minneapolis, where he rented a room on a part-time basis.
According to reports, Boetler texted two of his roommates to warn them that he had made some poor decisions and might soon pass away.
Nearly 70 names were on the list purportedly discovered in Boetler’s car, the majority of whom were Democratic politicians or individuals with connections to abortion rights. The list included Senator Tina Smith and Representative Ilhan Omar of Minnesota.
On Sunday, the suspect remained at large.
“I assure you that those responsible for this will be held accountable,” Walz stated. “Each and every one of us are committed to making sure that a tragedy like this never repeats itself in Minnesota or across this country.”
