Vance Boelter Arrested After Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings, Charged with Murder

On Sunday, June 15, 2025, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested in Sibley County, Minnesota, following a 43-hour manhunt—the largest in the state’s history—for the targeted shootings of two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses. Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, 55, former House Speaker (2019–2025), and her husband Mark, 58, were fatally shot at their Brooklyn Park home around 3:35 a.m. on Saturday, June 14, 2025. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot and wounded at their Champlin home, about 5 miles away, around 2:00 a.m. the same day. Boelter, apprehended without force in a wooded area near Green Isle, was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, per a Hennepin County District Court complaint unsealed on Sunday.

Details of the Incident: The shootings, described by Governor Tim Walz as a “politically motivated assassination,” began with Hoffman and Yvette, each shot multiple times, prompting a 911 call from their child. Brooklyn Park police, responding to the Hoffman attack, proactively checked on Hortman’s residence, encountering Boelter exiting the home dressed as a police officer, driving a Ford Explorer with emergency lights. He exchanged gunfire with officers before fleeing on foot, leaving behind his vehicle, which contained three AK-47 rifles, a 9mm handgun, a manifesto, and a list of about 70 targets—mostly Democratic politicians, abortion providers, and Planned Parenthood centers, including Walz, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. Boelter allegedly wore a latex mask during the attacks, exploiting trust in law enforcement uniforms, as noted by Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson.

Manhunt and Arrest: The manhunt involved over 100 agents, 20 SWAT teams, drones, helicopters, and infrared technology across multiple counties. On Sunday morning, Boelter’s vehicle—a black sedan—was found in Sibley County, 60 miles from the crime scenes, with a cowboy hat nearby, triggering an emergency alert. A trail camera captured Boelter at 7:00 p.m., leading to his surrender by crawling toward officers around 9:00 p.m., as confirmed by State Patrol Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger. The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office posted, “The face of evil… justice is one step closer,” thanking multi-agency efforts. Boelter was booked into Hennepin County custody early Monday, June 16, with a court appearance scheduled for 1:30 p.m.

Official and Public Reactions:

• Governor Tim Walz: Praised law enforcement for their Father’s Day sacrifice, calling Hortman a “formidable public servant” and urging unity against political violence. He noted Hoffman’s recovery post-surgery, crediting Yvette’s heroic act of shielding their daughter.
• President Donald Trump: Decried the “absolutely terrible” shootings on Truth Social, with Attorney General Pam Bondi vowing prosecution to the fullest extent. Trump, when asked about contacting Walz, called him “grossly incompetent” but said he might call, per ABC News.
• Law Enforcement: BCA Superintendent Drew Evans emphasized ongoing evidence collection to ensure accountability, noting Boelter’s prior Workforce Development Board overlap with Hoffman (2016–2023) but unclear personal connection. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley called the manhunt unprecedented.
• Community: A memorial at the Minnesota State Capitol grew with flowers and signs reading “Rest in Power” for the Hortmans. Neighbors described the couple as kind, with Brooklyn Park reeling from the violence, per BBC and AP.

Suspect Background: Boelter, a Green Isle resident with a Minneapolis rental, worked at Metro First Call (2023–February 2025) and Wulff Funeral Home, quitting before a trip to the Democratic Republic of Congo. He claimed security expertise via Praetorian Guard Security Services, which roommate David Carlson called a “fantasy” with no clients, per NPR. Carlson, receiving a text from Boelter on Saturday saying, “I may be dead soon,” noted Boelter’s anti-abortion stance, Trump vote in 2024, and recent financial and mental health struggles. Boelter’s wife, Jenny, was detained briefly in Onamia but released. A manifesto with “No Kings” flyers found in his vehicle was not linked to nationwide protests, per Minnesota State Patrol.