Alabama Leaders condemn political violence in Minnesota

June 15, 2025 – Alabama leaders released statements expressing condolences to the two Minnesota legislators – who along with their spouses – were shot early Saturday morning. They also condemned political violence.

Speaker of the Alabama House Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) said on his X social media account, "Heartbroken to hear that former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were murdered earlier today," said Speaker Ledbetter. "Violence of any kind has no place in our country, and my prayers are with law enforcement as they work to apprehend those responsible for this heinous crime, and with the Hortman family and friends as they grieve this horrific tragedy."

U.S. Senator Katie Boyd Britt (R-Alabama) said on X, "The escalation of political violence in our nation is deeply concerning and there is absolutely no place for it in our society. My prayers are with loved ones of Melissa and Mark, and I'm wishing John and Yvette a swift and full recovery. I'm grateful the Trump Administration is committed to holding responsible parties accountable for these targeted shootings in Minnesota."

Congresswoman Terri A. Sewel (D-AL0&) said on X, "I am horrified and heartbroken by the targeted shootings of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband and Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Political violence has NO place in the United States of America. I'm keeping their families and the people of Minnesota in my prayers."

Alabama Lieutenant Governor candidate Ncole Jones Wadsworth (R) said, "Political violence has no place in the United States of America. The recent tragic murder of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and Mr. Mark Hortman along with the attempted murder of State Senator John Hoffman and Mrs. Yvette Hoffman are a sobering reminder that we must stand united against political violence and hate in any form."

Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-Minnesota) said that the deadly shooting of state Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband Saturday was politically motivated.

"Clearly, this is politically motivated," she told NBC's "Meet The Press" host Kristen Welker on Sunday when asked about a possible motive for the slayings.

Law enforcement has identified the suspected murderer as Vance Boelter, age 57. He also shot state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife. They were hit multiple times and as of press time are still alive.

Authorities found a list of targets in Boelter's car.

Authorities say that the list includes, "prominent pro-choice individuals in Minnesota, including many Democratic lawmakers who have been outspoken about pro-choice policy positions."

"It was politically motivated, and there clearly was some throughline with abortion because of the groups that were on the list, and other things that I've heard were in this manifesto," Klobuchar said.

"They're also checking out, did he have interaction somehow with these without legislators?" said Klobuchar. "Is there more to this?"

"The FBI offers a reward of up to $50,000 for info leading to the arrest and conviction of Vance L. Boelter, suspected of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses at their residences on June 14, 2025," the FBI wrote on X.

FBI Deputy Director Dan Bongino said on X, "The FBI is fully engaged on the ground in Minnesota and is working in collaboration with our local and state partners."

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-New York) has requested additional security for Klobuchar and Sen. Tina Smith (D-California) in the wake of the assassinations.

Boelter is believed to be still in the Minnesota area though authorities are also exploring the possibility that he may have fled to South Dakota.

(The Hill and NBC News contributed to this report.)