Kaptur named on alleged assassin's hit list

SANDUSKY — U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, Sandusky's representative in the U.S. House, said she was one of the Democrats targeted by a suspected political assassin in Minnesota. Vance Boelter, 57, is accused of killing a Minnesota state representative and her husband and of also shooting and wounding a state senator and another state senator and his wife. He faces both state and federal murder charges. Police said they found a hit list of dozens of other Democratic politicians that Boelter intended to attack. Kaptur's office said Monday that the longtime Congresswoman was told her name was on the list. Two other Ohio members of Congress, U.S. Rep Joyce Beatty, D-Columbus, and U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman, D-Cincinnati, also have confirmed they were on the target list. Boelter is accused of killing state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. She was the former speaker of the Minnesota House. He's also accused of shooting and wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Kaptur's office issued a statement on her behalf. "Congresswoman Kaptur is exceedingly grateful to law enforcement for keeping our Great Lakes communities safe on several occasions over these past few years and for their work around the clock this weekend in Minnesota. "Political extremism in America is cause for serious reflection and concern. The inclusion of Congresswoman Kaptur's name in the Minnesota suspect's writings is a matter better left for law enforcement and investigators — but it will not deter her work to make life better for families across northwest Ohio. "Uplifting those who she has the honor to serve has been her sole focus every single day she has served and nothing will deter her from doing so now. "At this time out of respect to law enforcement working around the clock locally and nationwide to keep lawmakers safe, we will not be providing further public comment on this matter."