Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed by an individual impersonating a police officer. Hortman was the former speaker of the Minnesota House of

Sophie and Colin Hortman are responding to the fatal shooting of their parents, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman.

Before a suspect was ever named in the shootings, conspiracy theorists and opportunists jumped at the chance to blame their political opponents.

Sen. Mike Lee (R-Utah), appeared to blame the assassination of Smith’s friend, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman, on the political left. Smith sought him out to chat.

As shooting suspect Vance Boelter faced a judge Monday, friends and loved ones of shooting victims Mark and Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman continue to share tributes."Many times, when something tragic happens,

Before Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman became a nationally recognized figure following her fatal shooting death alongside her husband Saturday morning — an act public officials have called an act of “political violence” — she was revered by colleagues as a dedicated public servant.

Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in politically motivated shootings early Saturday, Gov. Tim Walz said. Authorities have also identified a suspect who is still at large.