- Vance Boelter captured after allegedly killing former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding Senator John Hoffman and his wife.
- Boelter disguised as a police officer during the attacks, then fled, sparking a statewide manhunt before his dramatic arrest.
- Minnesota shaken by the targeted political violence, with ongoing investigations into Boelter’s motive and possible accomplices.
This weekend, a horrifying double shooting shattered the quiet corners of Minnesota, rocked the political world, and stunned the entire state. A gunman brutally killed a respected former state leader and her husband in cold blood, while another sitting senator and his wife barely escaped with their lives. At the center of this carnage stands 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter—a man once trusted with public duty, now branded a cold-blooded killer.
The manhunt that followed was nothing short of cinematic, and by Sunday night, it ended with a dramatic capture that has the entire state—and the nation—talking.
From Trusted Public Servant to Alleged Murderer
Boelter wasn’t always a name people whispered in fear. Years ago, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz appointed him, trusting him to serve the people. Now, many say that trust was tragically misplaced.
Over the weekend, police say Boelter dressed as a police officer—complete with a bulletproof vest and a chilling Halloween mask—and launched an attack that has left a trail of devastation.
At 2 a.m. Saturday, Boelter reportedly stormed into the Champlin home of State Senator John Hoffman and opened fire. Hoffman, 60, and his wife Yvette were both shot multiple times. The attack wasn’t just cold-blooded—it was terrifyingly methodical.
Their nephew revealed a harrowing detail: Yvette threw herself on top of their daughter, Hope, shielding her from the bullets with her own body. That selfless act likely saved the young girl’s life.
Both John and Yvette survived, undergoing emergency surgery. They remain in stable condition, though their road to recovery—physically and emotionally—will be long.
Two Lives Lost: Speaker Emerita and Husband Gunned Down
But the horror didn’t stop there.
Roughly an hour after the first shooting, Boelter—still in his disguise—headed to Brooklyn Park. His next target: Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.
This time, there was no survival story.
Melissa, just 55 years old, died inside her own home—gunned down in a brutal attack. Her husband suffered multiple gunshot wounds and died shortly after paramedics rushed him to the hospital. The loss of the prominent Democrat sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s political sphere, where colleagues described her as a fierce advocate, a dedicated public servant, and a compassionate leader.
The motive? Still unclear. But investigators suggest this wasn’t random. It was personal. Calculated.
The Moment of Truth: Police Close In
After the killings, Boelter wasn’t done. But neither were the police.
As authorities responded to the first crime scene at the Hoffman residence, they began to piece together what was happening. When they arrived at the Hortman home shortly afterward, they confronted Boelter just as he was attempting to flee.
Shots rang out. Officers exchanged fire with the masked impersonator. At one point, they managed to trap him inside the house. But astonishingly, Boelter slipped away.
For a day, fear swept through the state. Was he still in the area? Would he strike again?
A Chilling Confession and an Emotional Goodbye
What came next only deepened the horror.
Boelter sent a farewell message to two of his closest friends, David and Ron. The text, sent shortly after the shootings, felt more like a suicide note than a confession.
“I love you guys,” he wrote. “I made some choices… may be dead shortly.”
It was a twisted goodbye from a man who knew exactly what he had done. Yet instead of turning himself in or ending his life, he ran.
Meanwhile, his wife Jenny was also pulled into the chaos. Police stopped her car Saturday morning and took her in for questioning. She wasn’t alone. Relatives were in the vehicle, and when officers searched it, they found passports—and a weapon.
Was she helping him escape? Was she involved in planning the attacks? That’s still under investigation.
Manhunt Ends with Arrest
By Sunday evening, the net closed in. Multiple law enforcement agencies coordinated a massive search effort. With help from the community and a wave of tips from locals who refused to let a killer hide, they tracked him down.
The Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office confirmed his arrest with a blunt but powerful message on social media.
They posted a photo of Boelter, hands cuffed behind his back, surrounded by officers. The caption read: “The face of evil.”
The sheriff praised the “relentless and determined” work of all involved. For many, the image offered a bittersweet mix of relief and sorrow. Justice might be moving forward, but the lives shattered by Boelter’s actions cannot be repaired so easily.
What Happens Next
Boelter now faces multiple charges, including two counts of first-degree murder and two of attempted murder. Authorities say more charges could be added as the investigation deepens.
Jenny Boelter’s role remains under scrutiny, and investigators haven’t ruled out the possibility that others may have had knowledge of the plan.
The political world in Minnesota remains shaken. Grief counselors have been brought into the Capitol. Security has been visibly increased. For many public servants, the events of the weekend feel like a grim warning: even the highest offices aren’t safe from violence.
A State Changed Forever
This wasn’t just a random act of violence—it was a targeted, brutal rampage against some of Minnesota’s most well-known public figures.
The sense of loss is deep. The horror is real. And the wounds—emotional, political, and societal—will take a long time to heal.
But for now, one thing is clear: the man who brought terror to Minnesota is behind bars. And the people of this state, while grieving, are standing strong—united by a shared loss and determined to see justice served.
