EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — U.S. Rep. Veronica Escobar, D-Texas, said she was among the potential targets of the man who is accused of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband as well as wounding another lawmaker and his wife.
Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested and charged with fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.
Authorities say he also shot Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, who lived just a few miles away.
Federal prosecutors announced Monday that they charged Boelter with federal murder and stalking charges. He is already facing Minnesota state charges including murder and attempted murder.
Here is Escobar’s entire statement:
“Sunday morning, I was notified by Capitol Police that I was one of the names on the Minnesota shooter’s list of targets.
“This was only a day after protestors were shot in Utah, an extremist drove a car into protests in Virginia, credible threats were made against state lawmakers in Austin, and a man pointed a gun at protestors here in El Paso.
“All of these instances are jarring reminders that right-wing extremism has a foothold in our country. Politically motivated violence, and violence of any kind, have no place in our democracy and we all have a role to play in moving our country toward healing.
“In the same breath, I am immensely grateful to the millions of people who showed up to peacefully protest – you are the very best of our country and give me so much hope. We will not be silenced or forced to live in fear; there are so many more opposed to fascism than in support of it.
“My heart is with the family of Melissa and Mark Hortman and for the recovery of John and Yvette Hoffman.”
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