On the 14th (local time), an incident occurred in Minnesota, where two state legislators were shot and killed. The suspect has been identified as a 57-year-old man who is an executive of a private armed security company and a self-proclaimed Christian activist.

Memorial at State Capitol for two Minnesota state lawmakers killed. /Courtesy of Yonhap News

According to The Washington Post (WP) on the 15th, the suspect, Barnes Boelter, disguised himself as a police officer on the day of the incident and broke into the home of Melissa Hortman, a representative from the Democratic Farmer Labor Party (Minnesota's Democratic Party), where he opened fire indiscriminately. Boelter then moved to the home of State Senator John Hoffman and also fired shots there. As a result, the Hortman couple was killed at the scene, while Senator Hoffman and his wife were seriously injured and are receiving treatment in a hospital. Boelter fled the scene and is currently at large.

WP reported that Boelter has previously been involved with multiple security companies and religious organizations. He worked as a patrol supervisor for a security company in the Twin Cities (Minneapolis and St. Paul), and according to the company’s website, he is known to have military training. Authorities believe that his experience with firearms may have influenced his actions.

In addition, it was revealed that Boelter frequently engaged in overseas activities and had interactions with various religious groups. He is currently the head of a nonprofit organization based in Minnesota and has previously led another nonprofit with his wife, WP stated. Both organizations are believed to be Christian-based, and Boelter has served in the position of Reverend.

Boelter also has a history of conducting missionary work among Islamic militants in Africa and has been confirmed to have encouraged participation in presidential voting through social media (SNS). The New York Times (NYT) reported that a friend of Boelter indicated he voted for President Trump in the last election.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) has launched a large-scale search operation, believing this incident is likely a 'targeted attack' motivated by political reasons. According to anonymous sources, a list of about 70 politicians who expressed support for abortion rights was found in Boelter's vehicle. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also condemned the act as 'a clear political assassination' during a press conference.

This incident has sent shockwaves across the political sphere as key figures in the Democratic Party were targeted. Notably, the deceased Representative Melissa Hortman previously served as the Speaker of the House and has been involved in the state legislature for over 20 years, leading progressive legislation on abortion rights and environmental policies.

As a result, concerns about political violence are spreading throughout the United States. The Democratic Party has significantly increased security measures ahead of its annual convention in Wisconsin, and threats have also been reported at a planned protest in front of the Texas legislature, where one person has been arrested amid escalating tensions.

Violence targeting politicians in the U.S. is becoming increasingly serious. WP reported that over 60 incidents of politically motivated violence have occurred this year alone, with 7 of them specifically targeting individuals or public agencies.

However, some critics argue that the current political environment fosters excessive division and conflict, encouraging violence. According to a survey conducted in 2023 by the Brookings Institution and the Public Religion Research Institute (PRRI), 23% of Americans responded that 'violence may be necessary to save America,' with that figure rising to 33% among Republican supporters.

Politicians have expressed a hardline stance. Former U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi strongly criticized the situation, calling it 'horrific and abominable political violence,' while President Donald Trump stated that 'such acts of violence are absolutely unacceptable in America.'