This article was originally published by Hawaii News Now on June 15. Read the original article HERE.

HONOLULU (HawaiiNewsNow) – After a Minnesota man shot two politicians on Saturday morning, killing one and injuring the other, Hawaii lawmakers decried the attack and offered condolences.

Authorities reported that 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter posed as a police officer, ambushed, and slayed former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.

Boelter is also accused of shooting and injuring state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

During a “No Kings” protest against President Donald Trump that drew thousands to the Hawaii State Capitol Saturday, U.S. Rep. Jill Tokuda, D-Hawaii, shared her reactions to the shooting.

“Lives lost, tragically taken in the safety of their own home,” Tokuda said. “Political violence, violence of any sort, is never the answer. So every day, we’re seeing more and more assaults on our democracy.”

Hawaii Senate President Ronald Kouchi issued a statement saying he was “devastated that Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were murdered and State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot by a man posing as a law enforcement officer.”

Kouchi’s remarks added, “While we grieve with the Hortman family and pray for the Hoffman family, it is our duty to unconditionally denounce and quash these heinous, unspeakable acts and to prevent the normalization of these events.”

Hawaii House Speaker Nadine Nakamura also offered comments on the attack:

“We are heartbroken by the tragic events that unfolded this morning in Minnesota. Hawaii stands in solidarity in grieving the loss of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. We extend our deepest prayers and thoughts to their family, to Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, as they heal and recover from this horrific act of violence, and to the entire Minnesota Legislature during this unimaginable time.”

The shooting comes after California Sen. Alex Padilla was handcuffed and forcibly removed from a news conference when he tried to speak up about immigration raids that prompted protests nationwide, including Saturday’s “No Kings” demonstration.

U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, D-Hawaii, argued the treatment of Padilla was unwarranted, even if he was disruptive.

“Being disrespectful is legal. Being disrespectful is American. Being disruptive is okay if it’s just using your words and not your body,” Schatz said during an emotional speech on the Senate Floor.

In a statement, U.S. Sen. Mazie Hirono, D-Hawaii, said:

“I’m shocked and horrified by the targeted attacks on lawmakers and their families in Minnesota. The resort to violence is increasing in our country, but it is never the answer. Saying violence will not be tolerated alone isn’t enough. Each of us has a responsibility to do more.”

Camron Hurt of the political watchdog organization Common Cause Hawaii was also at the “No Kings” rally and argued that peaceful protests are a needed reminder that violence has no place in a democracy.

“We’re to use our voices, we’re to raise up in our spirit and our bodies in protest, but we’re never to cause physical harm. Being a politician should not be a life or death job situation, it just shouldn’t be,” Hurt said.

Since the recent attacks, Tokuda said congressional leaders have briefed her and her colleagues on safety measures, even for their own homes.
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