Rep. Keith Allen Condemns Political Violence, Honors Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman
State Representative Keith Allen condemns the brutal attack that took the lives of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, following their memorial services this past weekend. He called it “an appalling, calculated act of evil that struck at the heart of our state government and our shared humanity.”
Hortman and her husband were murdered in their Brooklyn Park home in the early hours of Saturday, June 14th by a masked gunman, identified by authorities as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter. Shortly after that attack, Boelter allegedly broke into the Champlin home of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, and opened fire. Senator Hoffman and Yvette are both still recovering from serious injuries. The Hoffman's daughter, Hope, was also at home during the attack, but was heroically shielded from gunfire by her mother, Yvette. As their journey to recovery continues, their bravery and commitment to service remain at the forefront.
Boelter was captured by law enforcement following a two-day, statewide manhunt involving multiple agencies. He has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. Investigators also discovered a "hit list" in Boelter’s possession that included the names and home addresses of dozens of elected officials.
Although Representative Allen did not personally know Senator Hoffman or his wife, he said his prayers are with them and their family during this time. He said what happened was not just an attack on individuals, but an attack on the institution of representative government and the democratic values it stands for.
“This was not just a violent crime. This was a direct attempt to terrorize and destabilize the people who serve our state,” Allen said. “It was intentional, it was targeted, and it was evil. These were not just names on a list. These were people. Public servants. Neighbors. Friends. Spouses. Parents.”
Given that he was elected in 2024, Allen served with Speaker Hortman for only a short time in the Minnesota House but said he saw her commitment to her role and her constituents immediately.
“She was focused, driven, and serious about her work. You could see how deeply she cared about getting things right for the people she represented,” Allen said. “Even across political lines, there was a clear respect for the way she carried herself and the example she set.”
Allen emphasized that Melissa and Mark Hortman were not just political figures but members of a family and community.
“This was a human tragedy before it was a political one. Melissa and Mark built a life together, and they chose to give back through public service. That should never put a target on someone’s back.”
He also acknowledged the professionalism of law enforcement in tracking and arresting the suspect quickly. “I’m grateful to the law enforcement officers who worked nonstop to find and arrest the suspect. Their dedication helped prevent further violence and brought a measure of safety back to communities across the state.”
Allen said the nation must confront the rising political anger that fuels acts like this and urged people to turn down the volume of personal attacks in politics.
“We can have sharp disagreements. That’s part of the job. But those disagreements must never justify hate, violence, or fear. We need to remember that the people we argue with are still people. This should be a wake-up call.”
He concluded by saying that unity in government is still possible and still worth pursuing.
“Most people don’t see what happens behind the scenes at the Capitol. We work together more often than we don’t. We talk, we eat together, we laugh, and we listen. That basic human connection matters. We cannot let fear or division erase it.”