United States of America - June 2025

On 14 June, Minnesota House of Representative Speaker, Emerita Melissa Hortman of the Democratic Party, and her husband, were killed at their home, while State Senator John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife were shot in a separate attack the same night. Minnesota officials characterized the killings as politically motivated, citing evidence that the suspect had compiled lists of elected officials as potential targets. The suspect, who was apprehended days later, was charged with multiple federal crimes, including murder, stalking and firearms violations. Federal rather than state charges were brought because the attacks targeted public officials and involved interstate elements, giving federal authorities jurisdiction and allowing them to pursue harsher penalties, including the death penalty. 

Sources: Department of Justice, Public Broadcasting Service