Independent gubernatorial candidate Sen. Jason Pizzo (I-Sunny Isles) reacted Saturday to the murder of Minnesota state Democratic Rep. Melissa Horton and her husband, which also left Minnesota state Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife shot but fortunately alive.
"Reports of the shootings and murder of elected officials should be horrifying," Pizzo said. "Our country has become pockets of disgust that fester into disorder, and hate that boils into rage."
The suspect in the shooting has reportedly been identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter. Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer when he shot Sen. Hoffman and his wife in their Chaplin, Minnesota.
He then allegedly drove to Horton's home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where he shot and killed Rep. Horton and her husband.
In his remarks, Sen. Pizzo, a former prosecutor, recalled a dangerous incident against him in 2012. Luckily for Pizzo, the scary ordeal didn't cost him his life.
"In late 2012, two defendants I was prosecuting, followed me home from court. They later stole my car, committed armed robberies, and were later apprehended," Pizzo said.
Another dangerous situation occurred against him and his chief of staff years later.
"In January of 2020, police alerted me that someone had arranged payment to have me and my chief of staff killed, along with instructions on where our bodies were to be dumped," Pizzo added. "It’s toughest on the kids - mine have been relocated a few times."
Pizzo also mentioned that other Florida lawmakers have faced similar threats.
The tragic situation in Minnesota comes after last year's assassination attempt against then-Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump in Butler, Pennsylvania. Trump was also targeted in a second assassination attempt while golfing at Trump International Golf Club in West Palm Beach.
Despite the dangerous times, Pizzo vowed to keep pushing forward.
"We’ll all continue to show up, because here’s the thing - our constituent families need public servants who recognize that they are worth the risk and sacrifice," Pizzo said.
Editor's note: Boelter was apprehended Sunday night
