Violence and fear swept through towns in an arc around Minneapolis for more than 40 hours over the weekend as a man seemingly intent on sowing political devastation killed one Minnesota state

When the gunman in the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers approached their homes early on Saturday morning, he was armed with not just a handgun but also a wealth of other gear: a black tactical vest, a badge, a flashlight, a Taser. He arrived in a black S.U.V. with flashing police lights.

The children of late Minnesota state Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman (D), who was fatally shot over the weekend along with her husband Mark, acknowledged the death of their parents in a statement

The man suspected of shooting and killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and shooting and wounding a second lawmaker and his wife is due in court.

Gov. Tim Walz called the event a “politically motivated assassination," with the attack marking the latest such incident over the last several years.

In a statement to ABC11, a Hortman family member wrote: "We are in total disbelief over this. Mark and Melissa are the type of people that would do anything for you. Melissa loved working in politics, and Mark was always so supportive of her. It's just horrific, and everyone is just trying to process it."

Melissa Hortman and her husband died in the Minnesota shootings. John Hoffman and his wife were seriously wounded. Here's what we know.

Vance Boelter, the man accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, is set to make his first court appearance Monday afternoon on charges of murder and attempted murder.