The largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history concluded Sunday night with the arrest of Vance Boelter, 57, who is accused of killing Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and wounding State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife in targeted attacks that have stunned the state.
Boelter, a former member of the state’s workforce development board and operator of a private security firm, was captured near his home in rural Green Isle after a two-day statewide search. Authorities say he was armed at the time of his arrest but was taken into custody without the use of force after being tracked by drones and police dogs through dense terrain.
According to police, Boelter impersonated a law enforcement officer during the attacks, donning a rubber mask and carrying a fake badge. Charging documents state he fatally shot Mark Hortman through an open door before exchanging gunfire with officers and retreating. Representative Hortman was later found dead inside. Hours earlier, Boelter had reportedly entered the Hoffman residence under the guise of being an officer and shot both the senator and his wife, Yvette. The couple remains hospitalized, with Governor Tim Walz confirming they are recovering.
Authorities discovered a notebook in Boelter’s vehicle listing nearly 70 potential targets—primarily Democratic lawmakers, activists, and medical centers such as Planned Parenthood. U.S. Senator Tina Smith confirmed her name appeared on the list, alongside colleagues Ilhan Omar, Kelly Morrison, Angie Craig, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. Some targets were located in neighboring states, and the documents also referenced the anti-Trump "No Kings" protests held the day of the shootings.
The political nature of the attack has alarmed officials and the public alike. “One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota,” said Governor Walz, who called the killings “a politically motivated assassination.” The FBI and federal prosecutors are reviewing the case to determine whether additional federal charges are warranted.
Boelter’s background includes work in funeral services, missionary activity in Africa, and online posts expressing opposition to abortion and LGBTQ+ rights. He was described by acquaintances as increasingly troubled in recent months. In text messages sent shortly after the killings, Boelter alluded to suicidal intentions and apologized to friends for “the trouble this has caused.”
Law enforcement credited a tip from a resident, who spotted the suspect on a trail camera, with helping locate Boelter. A perimeter was quickly established and drones deployed, ultimately leading to his arrest in a nearby field.
The killings of Hortman and her husband have left the Minnesota political community in mourning. Hortman, a seasoned lawmaker and former Speaker of the House, was known for her role in landmark legislation on reproductive rights, cannabis legalization, and paid family leave. Senator Hoffman, currently chair of the Human Services Committee, is a longtime advocate for disability rights and bipartisan governance.
As security tightens around public officials nationwide, the attacks have reignited debates over political violence, public transparency, and the accessibility of elected representatives. Several states, including Michigan and North Dakota, have moved to remove lawmakers’ home addresses from public records in response.
“This cannot be the norm,” Walz said in a Sunday news conference. “Now is the time for us to recommit to the core values of this country.”
Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Additional charges could follow pending the outcome of the ongoing investigation.
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