Minnesota Man Arrested After Deadly Attacks on Lawmakers
A massive, multi-day manhunt culminated Sunday night with the capture and charging of a suspect in the shootings that killed one Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband and severely injured another lawmaker and his wife. Vance Boelter, 57, was apprehended in a rural area after authorities located a vehicle he had used and tracked him to nearby woods.
Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder in connection with the early Saturday morning attacks. His arrest follows what Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley described as the “largest manhunt in state history,” involving hundreds of law enforcement personnel across local, state, and federal agencies.
The Extensive Manhunt Ends
The intense search for Boelter began after a violent confrontation with police early Saturday. The manhunt zeroed in on Sibley County after authorities found Boelter’s abandoned vehicle near his rural residence. An alert officer reportedly saw someone matching his description run into nearby woods, prompting law enforcement to establish a large perimeter.
Over 20 tactical teams, supported by air units from the Minnesota State Patrol, combed the area throughout Sunday. Using drones and infrared technology, investigators narrowed the search. Boelter was eventually located in a field and, after approximately an hour of attempted evasion, surrendered by crawling towards officers. He was armed at the time of his capture but was taken into custody peacefully without incident.
Timeline of the Attacks
The series of violent events unfolded early Saturday morning. Police initially responded to a 911 call from the Champlin home of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, around 2:05 a.m. According to the criminal complaint, a masked person wearing a police vest and badge, arriving in a dark SUV with police lights, shot the couple multiple times before fleeing. Yvette Hoffman later shared they were hit by a combined 17 bullets but were “incredibly lucky to be alive,” although both sustained significant injuries requiring multiple surgeries.
Less than an hour and a half later, around 3:35 a.m., Brooklyn Park police proactively responded to the home of Democratic House leader Melissa Hortman after learning a lawmaker had been targeted in Champlin. Officers arrived to find a vehicle resembling a police SUV with activated emergency lights outside. As police approached, Boelter allegedly exited the home and shot Mark Hortman through the open door. Boelter then exchanged gunfire with officers before escaping on foot, abandoning his vehicle. Police found Melissa and Mark Hortman deceased inside their home.
Evidence Points to Targeted Political Violence
While authorities have not formally announced a definitive motive, evidence recovered strongly suggests the attacks were a targeted act of political violence. Inside the vehicle Boelter abandoned, investigators found a list containing 50 to 70 names of individuals and businesses. Sources indicate this list included prominent state and federal lawmakers, community leaders, abortion rights advocates, and health care facilities, including Planned Parenthood locations. Victims Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman were among those listed, as were figures like U.S. Senator Tina Smith, Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Governor Tim Walz, and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar.
BCA Superintendent Drew Evans stated that if police had not encountered Boelter at the Hortman residence, forcing him to abandon his vehicle, the violence likely “would have continued throughout the day,” suggesting a broader plan of attack. Investigators also found “No Kings” flyers in the vehicle, a reference tied to protests that occurred on the same day.
Boelter, who once served on a state workforce development board alongside Senator John Hoffman, is being investigated for the extent of any connection. Friends have reportedly described Boelter as experiencing financial and mental health issues after failed business ventures abroad, although others who knew him through missionary work expressed shock at the allegations.
A Troubling Trend Nationwide
Governor Tim Walz condemned the shootings as an “unspeakable act” and a “politically motivated assassination,” emphasizing that “political violence cannot be the norm” in dealing with differences. The tragedy in Minnesota occurs amidst a documented rise in threats, harassment, and attacks directed at political figures across the United States. Reports from organizations like the Brennan Center for Justice and data from the U.S. Capitol Police highlight an alarming increase in threats against state and federal lawmakers in recent years. Other recent incidents, such as an alleged arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home, underscore the growing concerns about political violence in the country.
Boelter was booked into the Hennepin County Jail and is scheduled for his initial court appearance Monday afternoon. State charges have been filed, and the FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office are reviewing the case for potential additional federal charges. While the capture brings some relief, officials emphasize that the process of gathering evidence for prosecution is ongoing. Governor Walz ordered state flags flown at half-staff to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman.
