Brooklyn Park officers cleared by department in use of deadly force in wake of Hortman assassinations

The Brooklyn Park Police Department announced that it has cleared two officers in their response to the assassinations of Melissa and Mark Hortman in June.

The review was based on department policy and several law enforcement agencies, including Brooklyn Park PD, also requested a third-party review.

In the early hours of June 14, after learning of the shootings of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in their home, Brooklyn Park officers Zachary Baumtrog and Jay Bloyer went to check on the Hortmans.

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As they got to the home, they saw a vehicle that looked like a squad car with emergency lights flashing in the Hortmans’ driveway. They also saw a man, now identified as Vance Boelter, at the front of the Hortmans’ home dressed as a police officer.

Authorities say Baumtrog fired his gun while on the scene in response to gunshots.

RELATED: Officer who shot at Vance Boelter outside Hortman home identified

Baumtrog and Bloyer then saw that Mark Hortman was injured and pulled him from the doorway of the home. The department said neither officer was aware that Melissa Hortman was in the home at the time.

Both Melissa and Mark Hortman died of their injuries.

Baumtrog’s and Bloyer’s actions were found to be in accordance with department policy.

“The findings are considered preliminary in nature, and any newly discovered information will be evaluated accordingly,” the department said. “The Brooklyn Park Police Department, in conjunction with other law enforcement partners, has requested a third-party after-action review of the incident in its entirety.”
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