A man alleged to have killed a Minnesota lawmaker and injured another is now facing murder charges after being apprehended by police near his residence on Sunday following an intensive manhunt that spanned almost two days.
Vance Boelter is accused of impersonating a police officer before fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse, Mark, at their home early on Saturday in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. In addition to this tragic incident, officials state that he also shot and injured Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, at their nearby home. Furthermore, authorities revealed that he visited the residences of two other state legislators, although he did not encounter them, and law enforcement in other states reported that he had them on his list of potential targets.
Currently, Boelter is under federal custody, being held without bail following his initial court appearance on Monday, where he faces multiple charges, including murder and stalking both at the federal and state levels. Minnesota does not practice the death penalty, though federal statutes allow for its application; however, acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson mentioned during a news conference that it remains too soon to determine whether his office will seek it. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced intentions to file first-degree murder charges against Boelter, which, upon conviction, would result in life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. Thompson further elaborated, suggesting that Boelter’s actions were meticulously planned, involving significant research on the intended victims and thorough surveillance of their abodes. However, no motive for the shootings has yet been provided.
Boelter visited the homes of four Democratic lawmakers residing in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis within approximately 90 minutes early on Saturday, beginning with Hoffman’s residence and concluding at Hortman’s home, according to investigative authorities. During this period, reports indicate he paused at the home of an unnamed legislator who was absent at the time. Notably, Democratic state Sen. Ann Rest noted that Boelter parked near her New Hope home. Law enforcement, suspecting nothing at the time, verified the situation, with an officer briefly interacting with Boelter before he departed for Hortman’s residence.
Beyond Minnesota, Thompson noted that about 45 names of state and federal elected officials were found on a list linked to Boelter, retrieved from writings inside a fake police vehicle left at the scene of the crime, including some individuals being mentioned more than once. This list also contained details regarding community leaders, abortion-rights supporters, and healthcare facilities. Officials in at least three other states acknowledged being informed by law enforcement about being among Boelter’s intended targets. These include Democratic U.S. Sen. Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin and Democratic U.S. Rep. Greg Landsman of Ohio, with Democratic U.S. Reps. Hillary Scholten and Debbie Dingell from Michigan also confirming their inclusion on Boelter’s target list, prompting Scholten to postpone a scheduled town hall meeting.
The extensive manhunt, labeled as the “largest in the state’s history” by Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, culminated in Boelter’s capture on Sunday in a rural area of Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis, where he resides. His vehicle was abandoned when found, leading officers to believe they saw him fleeing into a wooded area before he eventually surrendered. Former associates and friends described Boelter as a devout Christian active in an evangelical church, attending rallies for President Donald Trump and holding strong conservative beliefs that he seldom discussed openly. Despite his views, local authorities in Sibley County had not previously been aware of him as a potential threat or involved in any incidents.
Among the victims, Melissa Hortman was a revered figure in the Minnesota political landscape, having served with distinction since her election to the Minnesota House in 2004. Known for championing liberal initiatives, her leadership helped pass significant legislation, including free lunches for public school students in 2023. Currently, both State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife are recuperating from multiple gunshot wounds received during the assault at their Champlin home, a suburb of Minneapolis. Hoffman chairs the Senate committee responsible for human resources spending, maintaining a professional association with Boelter through their mutual service on a state workforce development board, although their personal acquaintance remains unclear.