Rep. Veronica Escobar (D) has revealed that she was on a target list found in connection to the Minnesota shooting that claimed the lives of Melissa and Mark Hortman. Rep. Escobar said she was notified by Capitol Police that the alleged shooter, Vance Boelter, had included her among other political figures as potential targets.
“Sunday morning I was notified by Capitol Police that I was one of the names on the Minnesota shooter’s list of targets,” Rep. Escobar said in a statement shared on social media. “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.”
— Rep. Veronica Escobar (@RepEscobar) June 16, 2025
Authorities say Boelter, who was apprehended by over 200 law enforcement officers, fatally shot the Hortmans during what officials believe was a politically motivated attack.
John and Yvette Hoffman, who were also injured in the shooting, remain hospitalized.
Rep. Escobar, who is a vocal advocate for gun control, said the attack is part of a growing trend of right-wing political violence in America.
“All of these instances are jarring reminders that right-wing extremism has a foothold in our country,” she said. “Politically motivated violence, and violence of any kind, have no place in our democracy.”
Despite the threat to her safety, Rep. Escobar praised the many Americans engaging in protests. “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,” she said. “We will not be silenced or forced to live in fear; there are so many more opposed to fascism than in support of it.”
Authorities have shared that Boelter had a “hit list” of 45 political figures, all Democrats.
