Caught

A massive manhunt is over.

Early Saturday, Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband were shot and killed in their home, just over an hour after State Senator John Hoffman (D) and his wife were shot, about nine miles away. The Hoffmans are expected to recover.

The suspect—a 57-year-old man who posed as a police officer, wearing a tactical vest, badge, mask, and driving a replica squad SUV—exchanged gunfire with officers outside Hortman’s home before fleeing on foot. Inside his abandoned vehicle, authorities found a list with nearly 70 names, including other lawmakers and abortion providers. Last night, after a two-day search, authorities arrested the suspect in a wooded area of rural Minnesota. 

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) called Hortman’s death a “politically motivated assassination” and ordered the flags to fly at half-staff across the state.

RADIATE HOPE
While mourning with victims and their families, Christians have hope in the face of a violent world. God’s Son, who Himself did no violence, sacrificed Himself for us so that we can live in the Lord’s peaceful presence forever.

“Yet he himself bore our sicknesses, and he carried our pains; but we in turn regarded him stricken, struck down by God, and afflicted. But he was pierced because of our rebellion, crushed because of our iniquities; punishment for our peace was on him, and we are healed by his wounds.”  Isaiah 53:4-5 (CSB) (read full passage)