Bishop Robert Barron, bishop of the Diocese of Winona-Rochester in Minnesota, and a native of Minnesota, offered prayers after two legislators were attacked by a gunman on Saturday, June 14.
"A terrible tragedy occurred in my home state of Minnesota early this morning. A gunman, disguised as a police officer, shot and wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife and subsequently shot and killed State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband," said Bishop Barron.
The message was posted across the bishop's various social media accounts.
A few months ago, Barron, along with his brother bishops in Minnesota, visited with various members of political leadership in the state, he said, including Sen. Hoffman and Rep. Hortman.
"I was deeply impressed by both," said Barron.
"Rep. Hortman listened to us with sharp intelligence and acute attention. And I had a wonderful conversation with Sen. Hoffman, who was a graduate of St. Mary’s University in my diocese. He shared his passion for Catholic Social Teaching."
Bishop Barron continued,
"God knows we are divided society, but our political differences must never, ever give rise to violence. Please pray for the swift recovery of Sen. Hoffman and his wife and for the repose of the souls of Rep. Hortman and her husband."
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said on Saturday that Hortman's death was “a politically motivated assassination." Both Hoffman and Hortman belonged to the Democratic Party.
"This was an act of targeted political violence," said Walz. "Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint."
Walz ordered that flags in Minnesota be flown at half-staff in honor of Hortman.
"She woke up every morning determined to make Minnesota a better place, and she will be greatly missed," said Walz.
The man suspected of shooting both legislators and their spouses was identified Saturday afternoon as Vance Boetler, 57. He is, as of writing, not yet in police custody.
