Husband killed in Minnesota lawmaker shooting was Raleigh native, attended UNC and NC State

A man who died in a highly publicized shooting believed to be politically motivated has a Triangle connection.

Democratic former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, home early Saturday.

Mark Hortman was a Raleigh native, according to a New York Times article. A LinkedIn page for Hortman lists him as a graduate of UNC-Chapel Hill and NC State. Other Facebook posts circulating on Saturday noted he graduated from Millbrook High School.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the incident “a politically motivated assassination.” Authorities said the suspect also shot and wounded a second lawmaker and was believed to be trying to flee the area.

Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin address, about nine miles away. 

Hundreds of law officers fanned out across the Minneapolis suburb Saturday in pursuit of a man who authorities say posed as a police officer.

Authorities identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, and the FBI issued a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

There is no word on a possible motive.