Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, are recovering following a harrowing, politically motivated assassination attempt that left the couple seriously wounded and resulted in the deaths of another Democrat lawmaker and her husband.

In a public statement Thursday, the Hoffmans described how a masked gunman opened fire on them in their home last week — part of what appears to be a coordinated attack against multiple Democrat politicians. According to KARE 11, Yvette Hoffman has been discharged from the hospital, but Senator Hoffman remains in critical yet stable condition.

The couple revealed chilling details of the early morning ambush. A man claiming to be a police officer began pounding on their front door. When the family opened it, they were met with gunfire.

“When the door was opened, all three of us were in the entryway. John initially lunged at the gunman as the weapon was pointed directly at him, getting struck nine times,” the statement read. “As John fell, Yvette reached out to push the man and shut the door, succeeding before she was also hit eight times by gunfire."

Their adult daughter, Hope, quickly acted to lock the door and alert 911, triggering an immediate law enforcement response. Her decisive actions likely prevented further bloodshed.

The suspected attacker, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, allegedly went on to murder State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, before fleeing after a shootout with police. Prosecutors said Boelter had also visited the homes of two other Democratic officials who were not present at the time.

Police later discovered a disturbing “hit list” in Boelter’s vehicle. The list included high-profile Minnesota Democrats such as Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar, Rep. Angie Craig, AG Keith Ellison, and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan.

Boelter — notably reappointed by Gov. Walz in 2019 to the state’s Workforce Development Board — was described by an acquaintance as "very conservative," though his exact ideological motives remain unclear. Authorities apprehended him more than a day later in a wooded area near his home, southwest of the Twin Cities.

The suspect had a background in ministry and business, having preached in Congolese churches and studied theology in Texas. He was most recently employed by funeral homes in Minnesota and had previous experience in the food service industry.

In their statement, the Hoffmans mourned the loss of the Hortmans:

“We are heartbroken to know that our friends Melissa and Mark Hortman were assassinated. Our daughter Hope and Sophie Hortman went to school together, and we know that they – along with Colin Hortman – will have each other’s support as we all work through the devastating consequences of that horrific night.”

The couple expressed dismay at the growing risk tied to public service roles:

“Choosing to work in the public sector, even in as limited a way as John’s career as a senator, has always meant sacrificing a level of privacy. But now we are grappling with the reality that we live in a world where public service carries such risks as being targeted because someone disagrees with you or doesn’t like what you stand for.”

The Hoffmans called for a renewed societal commitment to civility:

“As a society, as a nation, as a community, we must work together to return to a level of civility that allows us all to live peacefully. The future for our children depends on that. We will be praying for that work and appreciate all those who will join with us.”

While the motivations behind the attack are still under investigation, the event serves as a grim reminder that political violence — regardless of the target — has no place in a constitutional republic. The weaponization of grievances, particularly in an age of radicalization and social disconnection, represents a threat to civil order that must be confronted decisively by leaders on all sides.