Vance Boelter, the man who authorities believe shot two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses in politically motivated shootings early Saturday morning, is now in custody. He now faces charges of murder and attempted murder.
Law enforcement officials said Boelter, 57, was taken into custody after being located in the woods near his home in Green Isle, in Sibley County, on Sunday night.
Hennepin County court records show Boelter is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder. He is due in court Monday afternoon.
The Attacks: A Timeline of Tragedy
Early on Saturday, June 14, 2025, Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old Minnesota resident, allegedly carried out targeted attacks on two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses in the Minneapolis suburbs. Disguised as a police officer, Boelter reportedly used a vehicle resembling a police SUV, complete with emergency lights, to gain trust and access to his targets’ homes.
Champlin Attack (2 a.m.): Boelter began his spree at the home of State Senator John A. Hoffman in Champlin, Minnesota. He shot both Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, multiple times. Yvette heroically shielded their daughter, saving her life. Both victims underwent surgery and are reported to be recovering, though Hoffman’s injuries are serious.
Brooklyn Park Attack (3:35 a.m.): Boelter then drove approximately 9 miles to the home of State Representative Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, in Brooklyn Park. He fatally shot Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were pronounced dead at the scene and at North Memorial Health in Robbinsdale, respectively. When police arrived, Boelter exchanged gunfire with officers before fleeing on foot, leaving behind his fake police vehicle.
A notebook found in Boelter’s vehicle contained a list of about 70 potential targets, including Democratic politicians like U.S. Senators Tina Smith, Amy Klobuchar, and U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, as well as community leaders, abortion rights advocates, and Planned Parenthood centers. Some targets were in neighboring states, indicating a broader scope to his plans.
The Manhunt and Arrest
The attacks triggered the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history, involving over 100 law enforcement officers, including 20 SWAT teams and federal, state, and local agencies. On Sunday, June 15, authorities located Boelter’s vehicle and hat in a rural area of Sibley County, near Green Isle, roughly 10 minutes from his listed address. An officer spotted a man matching Boelter’s description in a wooded area, and by Sunday night, Boelter was apprehended in a field without the use of force. He was armed at the time of his arrest.
Boelter was charged with two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman and two counts of attempted second-degree murder for the attack on John and Yvette Hoffman. He made an initial court appearance on Monday, June 16, in federal court in St. Paul, where he did not enter a plea. His next court date is scheduled for June 27.
Who Is Vance Boelter?
Vance Boelter, 57, has ties to Minnesota politics, having served on the state’s Workforce Development Board under appointments by former Governor Mark Dayton in 2016 and Governor Tim Walz in 2019. It’s unclear if he had a personal connection with Senator Hoffman, a fellow board member. Boelter’s public records show no party affiliation, listed as “none or other” in 2016 and “no party preference” in 2020. However, his roommate and childhood friend, David Carlson, revealed that Boelter voted for Donald Trump in the previous election and was passionate about opposing abortion rights. Carlson also noted Boelter’s recent financial and mental health struggles.
In a 2018 LinkedIn post, Boelter urged followers to vote, emphasizing the importance of elections and referencing his travels to countries without democratic voting. Before the attacks, he emptied his bank account and paid four months’ rent in advance to Carlson, suggesting premeditation. He also sent text messages to friends, hinting at his plans and expressing regret without implicating them.
View this post on Instagram
Political and Social Context
The shootings come amid a rising tide of political violence in the U.S., including the 2020 attempted kidnapping of Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, the 2022 attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband, and two assassination attempts on Donald Trump in 2024. Minnesota’s 2023 gun control laws, which tightened restrictions on handgun and assault weapon ownership, highlight the state’s polarized political climate.
Governor Walz condemned the attacks as a “chilling attack on our democracy,” urging Minnesotans to reject political violence. The discovery of “No Kings” protest flyers in Boelter’s vehicle led to the cancellation of planned anti-Trump demonstrations across the state, as authorities feared further targeting. U.S. Senator Raphael Warnock, speaking at a Democratic gathering in Wisconsin, called for unity, emphasizing that Americans are “not at war with one another.”
The attacks shifted the Minnesota House to a one-vote Republican majority, but Democrats emphasized that the focus should remain on justice, not political consequences. A special election to fill Hortman’s seat is planned before the next legislative session in February 2026.
Community and National Response
The shootings prompted widespread condemnation from leaders across the political spectrum. Former Representative Gabby Giffords, a survivor of a 2011 assassination attempt, called the attacks “an attack on American democracy itself.” President Trump announced that the FBI and Attorney General Pam Bondi would pursue the case to the fullest extent of the law. Minnesota officials, including Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, reiterated that “violence has no place in our political system.”
In Brooklyn Park and Champlin, communities mourned the loss of Hortman, a respected legislator known for her negotiation skills and dedication to her district. A small memorial with flowers and notes emerged outside the Minnesota State Capitol. The city of Champlin canceled its Father Hennepin festival, reflecting the somber mood.
Court Appearance
On Monday, June 16, 2025, Boelter made his initial appearance in federal court in St. Paul, Minnesota, wearing an orange jail suit and requesting a public defender due to limited finances. He faces six federal charges, including murder through the use of a firearm, stalking, and firearms offenses, which carry a potential life sentence or death penalty. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has also charged him with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, with plans to seek first-degree murder charges, each carrying a maximum of 40 years in prison. His next hearing is scheduled for June 27, though Boelter has already requested a delay in his detention hearing.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson described Boelter’s actions as “the stuff of nightmares,” emphasizing how he “stalked his victims like prey” and exploited public trust by impersonating a police officer. Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson called the betrayal “deeply disturbing” to law enforcement.