A quiet Saturday morning turned into a nightmare for Minnesota lawmakers.  Kelly Morrison, a congresswoman, was jolted by an early morning visit from police.  They warned her about a man impersonating an officer and told her to stay inside.  She had no idea that a violent spree had already begun.  A man, later identified as Vance Boelter, had attacked state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, leaving them seriously hurt.  Boelter then targeted another lawmaker, Melissa Hortman, and her husband, tragically killing them both.  It was later revealed that Morrison's name was on Boelter's hit list, along with many other Democrats and abortion rights advocates.

        This wasn't Boelter's first attempt.  Earlier, he had tried to break into another lawmaker's home but was thwarted by a quick-thinking police officer.  Boelter's plan was meticulous.  He used a Black SUV with police lights and a license plate that read "Police. "  He was dressed in tactical gear, making it difficult for victims to distinguish him from a real officer.  The manhunt that followed was the largest in Minnesota's history.  Investigators found hit lists among Boelter's belongings, naming dozens of potential targets.

        Meanwhile, Morrison was trying to process the news.  She had faced threats before, but this was different.  She immediately called her husband, an ex-Army Ranger, who rushed home.  They hired private security and Morrison activated a panic button provided by Capitol Police.  Across town, Representative Esther Agbaje was also glued to her phone, receiving updates on the manhunt.  She spent the day with her fiancé and his mom, lying low.  Both Morrison and Agbaje had to consider how to tell their families about the threats.  Morrison's daughters wanted to come home, while her son stayed in constant contact.  Agbaje, meanwhile, had forgotten it was Father's Day until the afternoon.

        The weekend was a rollercoaster of emotions.  Morrison and Agbaje spent hours reassuring their constituents and reiterating a common message: this violence must stop.  They feared for their safety and the safety of their colleagues.  But even as the manhunt continued, they were determined to stand strong.  Boelter was eventually caught, crawling out of a forest near his home after 43 hours on the run.  He now faces multiple charges, including potential death penalties.

        For Morrison and Agbaje, the end of the manhunt was just the beginning of a new struggle.  They were left to grapple with the grief and trauma of the weekend's events.  They emphasized the need for unity and shared humanity in the face of rising political violence.  They remembered Hortman, a dedicated public servant, and her husband, Mark.  The attacks highlighted the chilling effect political violence can have on future public servants.  But Morrison was clear: this is an attack on democracy itself.  She encouraged others to pursue public service, undeterred by the threats.  After all, democracy depends on the bravery of those willing to serve, even in the face of danger.

Minnesota's Lawmakers Face a Chilling Weekend

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