Man Arrested After Killing Minnesota Lawmakers in Targeted Attack

Police arrested Vance Boelter, 52, after a nearly two-day manhunt that gripped Minnesota. Authorities accuse him of killing Minnesota lawmakers, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, and injuring Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Officers took Boelter into custody on June 15, 2025, after he crawled toward them in the woods near his home. The arrest ended a massive search across Sibley County, where Boelter lived.

Details of the Attack and Manhunt

The shootings took place early on Saturday, June 14. Boelter, posing as a police officer, fatally shot Melissa and Mark Hortman in their Brooklyn Park home. Police arrived just in time to see Boelter shoot Mark through the front door, leading to an exchange of gunfire. While Mark Hortman was killed, Melissa Hortman was found dead inside the house. Boelter then attacked Senator John Hoffman and his wife 15 kilometers away, injuring both of them.

A large manhunt followed, involving 20 tactical teams and the FBI. The police located an abandoned vehicle that Boelter had used and traced his movements to a rural area. After several hours of searching, officers found Boelter in the woods and arrested him after he surrendered.

Investigating the Motive

Authorities have not confirmed the motive for the attack, but they discovered a list of names in writings recovered from the abandoned vehicle. The list included prominent lawmakers, community leaders, and abortion rights advocates, which raises questions about a possible political motive. Boelter, a former political appointee, served on the state workforce development board with Hoffman, but it’s unclear whether they personally knew each other.

Boelter had texted friends before the attacks, apologizing for what he had done, but did not provide any specifics. His message read: “I’m sorry for all the trouble this has caused.”

Political Violence in America

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the attacks, saying, “This cannot be the norm.” He called the violence a disturbing escalation in political differences. The attack in Minnesota reflects a growing wave of political violence in the United States, where polarized politics continue to drive threats against lawmakers and public figures.

A State in Mourning

The killings of Melissa and Mark Hortman have left the state in shock. A small memorial has been set up at the Minnesota State Capitol, with flowers and messages honoring the Hortmans. Senator Amy Klobuchar shared a statement from Yvette Hoffman, who expressed gratitude for the public’s support. She noted that the Hoffmans were fortunate to be alive after both were critically injured in the shooting.

More…

• https://www.cbc.ca/news/world/minnesota-shooting-suspect-1.7561810
• https://abcnews.go.com/US/search-suspect-vance-boelter-enters-2nd-day-after/story?id=122864115
• https://www.cnbc.com/video/2025/06/16/suspect-in-fatal-shooting-of-minnesota-lawmaker-captured-after-manhunt.html