Suspect Captured After Massive Manhunt
Vance Boelter, 57, the man sought in connection with a deadly attack targeting Minnesota political leaders, was apprehended Sunday night after a nearly two-day manhunt. Authorities located Boelter in a rural field in sparsely populated Sibley County, Minnesota, about an hour southwest of Minneapolis.
Boelter, who authorities say was armed, was taken into custody without incident while reportedly crawling through the field. The capture marked the end of what officials described as the largest manhunt in state history.
Alleged Attacks and Victims
Authorities allege Boelter first attacked State Senator John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, at their Champlin home early Saturday morning. The couple survived but sustained serious injuries; Senator Hoffman was reportedly shot nine times, and Mrs. Hoffman eight times. Their adult daughter called 911 during the attack.
Shortly after the incident in Champlin, Boelter is accused of fatally shooting State Representative Melissa Hortman, a 55-year-old Democrat and former House Speaker, and her husband, Mark Hortman, at their residence in nearby Brooklyn Park. Brooklyn Park police officers checking on the Hortmans reportedly arrived just as Mark Hortman was shot through an open door. An exchange of gunfire occurred before the suspect fled the scene. Melissa Hortman was found deceased inside the home.
Authorities stated Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer to gain access to the victims’ homes, using a police-style SUV with emergency lights and wearing a mask or police attire.
Motive Under Investigation, “Hit List” Found
While authorities have not publicly disclosed a definitive motive, evidence found at the scene points towards a politically motivated attack. Inside a fake police vehicle left at the Hortman residence, investigators discovered a notebook containing a list of names. Sources indicate this list included approximately 70 individuals, among them state and federal lawmakers, community leaders, abortion rights advocates, and information about healthcare facilities. Senator Hoffman and Representative Hortman were reportedly near the top of this list. Officials speaking anonymously linked the motive to the victims’ political stances, particularly those outspoken in favor of abortion rights. Representative Hortman was known for her work on reproductive rights legislation during her time as Speaker.
Investigators have spoken with Boelter’s wife and relatives, who reportedly cooperated fully. Authorities found no prior evidence that the suspect had threatened the lawmakers or anyone else on the list before the attacks. Boelter himself reportedly texted friends Saturday morning, apologizing and suggesting he expected to be “gone for a while” and “may be dead shortly.”
Massive Manhunt and Capture Details
The search for Boelter involved nearly 200 law enforcement officers, including members of 20 regional and local SWAT teams. The effort focused on rural Sibley County after Boelter’s car and cowboy hat were found abandoned about three miles from his Green Isle residence on Sunday morning.
Despite the discovery, the suspect managed to evade capture for over 10 hours, potentially using the rural terrain and crawling through ditches in farm fields. The breakthrough came when a local police officer spotted a man running into the woods, prompting authorities, including ground teams, SWAT, and a state helicopter, to converge on the area. After calls for surrender, Boelter was located and apprehended while crawling in the field.
Charges and Official Reaction
Boelter is in custody and has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. A federal warrant was also issued alleging he was on the run to avoid prosecution. The FBI and U.S. attorney’s office are examining whether to bring additional federal charges. Boelter was booked into the Hennepin County Jail early Monday morning and was scheduled to appear in court.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz announced Boelter’s capture, expressing relief after the intense, collaborative effort by law enforcement. He strongly condemned the violence, stating it “cannot be the norm” for dealing with political differences. Walz spoke movingly about Representative Hortman, describing her as a leader embodying “grace, compassion, vision, compromise, and decency,” whose loss represents both political violence and the taking of an “ardently effective” leader. He noted the attacks will have a “deep impact” on Minnesota politics.
Senator Amy Klobuchar shared updates on the Hoffmans’ recovery and a statement from their family expressing gratitude to law enforcement and supporters while conveying devastation over the Hortmans’ deaths.
The incident has renewed national concerns about rising political violence. Other figures, including U.S. Senator Rand Paul, commented on the attacks in the context of political division, while former President Trump also weighed in, criticizing Governor Walz. A memorial adorned with flowers and notes has been established at the Minnesota State Capitol to honor the Hortmans.
