'We know where you live': guns and bomb threats target US politicians

A house speaker killed, a state senator shot ... lawmakers across the country fear for their lives as the discourse darkens.

- Katie McQue

In the early hours of 14 June, Minnesota state senator John Hoffman and his family were woken by someone knocking at their door. Moments later, the visitor opened fire, shooting Hoffman nine times. His wife, Yvette, was also shot, after throwing herself on top of their daughter, Hope, to shield her from the bullets. Hope, who is in her 20s, managed to close and lock the door before calling 911.

Police quickly realised they were dealing with an attempted political assassination and raced to check on other legislators. As they approached the home of Representative Melissa Hortman, they spotted a man dressed like a police officer. He forced his way through Hortman’s door and killed her, her husband Mark, and their family dog.

The attacker — later identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter — was wearing body armour, a realistic latex mask to disguise his face, and carrying identification that allowed him to pass as law enforcement. He fled the scene on foot but his car, modified to resemble a police cruiser, was later found nearby. Inside were notebooks listing potential targets and their addresses, among them Democratic lawmakers and abortion providers.

The shootings underline an escalation in vitriol and threats to safety that legislators from both the Democrat and Republican parties say they're grappling with. The Observer has interviewed nine state lawmakers from across the country, all of whom reported receiving threats of violence from constituents, which they say is increasingly shaping the landscape of state politics. Major flashpoint issues include legislation on firearms, abortion and immigration, they said.

"It’s gotten to this point in society when legislators and others who are just trying to make a difference are risking their lives to do so," said Connecticut state senator James Maroney, a Democrat.