08/13/2026
Today has been a devastating day for the Hopkins and Burnsville communities and for Minnesota. Through such pain and tragedy it is often difficult to find the words, and at this time there is still so much information we do not yet know and cannot speak to publicly.
Our hearts go out to the many people whose loved ones were taken from them today, and to the children, family members, and witnesses to such violence. Our hearts and gratitude are with the domestic and sexual violence advocacy programs who work tirelessly day in and day out to support victim/survivors.
Since 1989, we have lost at least 886 lives to intimate partner violence and domestic violence in Minnesota. Please remember these lives were not statistics or numbers on a page. They were beautiful, brilliant souls who loved the color pink; fishing; dancing; catering for weddings and holidays; spending time on the lakes; dressing up in leopard print to cheer up their coworkers; and writing kind messages on customers' coffee cups to brighten up their days. They were everything you could possibly dream of and more.
Each and every single life lost to domestic violence is precious.
Domestic violence affects our entire state, from survivors and their loved ones, victims' family members, friends, neighbors, and coworkers, to advocates, medical and emergency personnel, and children's friends and fellow students.
Nowhere in Minnesota is left untouched by domestic violence. This is a public health issue, a public safety issue, and a social justice issue. It requires all of our collective care and compassion to prevent and end.
We believe that it is possible to one day end domestic violence in Minnesota and worldwide. This belief guides and sustains us. It is the power of all of us, together, that will end violence and abuse for good.
The 24/7 Minnesota Day One Hotline is available for individuals looking for support and guidance with domestic and sexual violence:
Call 866.223.1111, text 612.399.9995, or email [email protected]. https://dayoneservices.org/
A list of domestic and sexual violence advocacy programs organized by county in Minnesota can be accessed on our website here: https://www.vfmn.org/find-a-program
At the bottom of our Get Help page, you can find guidance for how to support a loved one experiencing abuse: https://www.vfmn.org/get-help
A violence-free Minnesota is our future.
