MINNEAPOLIS (AP) – A wave of violence and fear engulfed towns surrounding Minneapolis over a tumultuous weekend, culminating in the tragic death of Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and the serious injury of another, John Hoffman. The assailant, identified as Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old with a history of conservative beliefs, orchestrated a violent spree that shocked the state and drew national attention.
The incidents began in the early hours of June 14, 2025, when Boelter, dressed in tactical gear and brandishing a 9 mm Beretta, approached Hoffman’s home in Champlin, Minnesota. He falsely claimed to be a police officer, prompting the couple to open the door. He opened fire on them, inflicting numerous gunshot wounds. A report from their adult daughter led to a swift police response, transporting both victims to the hospital.
Shortly after the attack on Hoffman, Boelter targeted another unidentified public official in Maple Grove, reiterating the same false police claims. He had prepared meticulously, carrying a list of approximately 70 names that predominantly included Democratic lawmakers and abortion-rights advocates. The scope of his premeditated plan alarmed law enforcement, as Boelter ‘stalked his victims like prey,’ according to U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson.
Minutes later, Boelter drove to the home of Ann Rest, a Democratic state senator in New Hope, where local police were already conducting safety checks. The situation was escalated with officers’ concerns mounting about Boelter’s whereabouts. By around 3:30 a.m., Boelter had forced his way into the home of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park and fatally shot both her and her husband, Mark Hortman. The scene was gruesome, leaving law enforcement in a frantic search for the suspect.
With fear gripping the region, law enforcement officials initiated the largest manhunt in Minnesota's history, utilizing tactical teams and helicopters to locate Boelter. Alerts were distributed warning residents to shelter in place. By dawn, Boelter had abandoned a disguised vehicle and fled on an electric bike. He made several financial transactions after acquiring a new car, all the while evading ongoing police efforts.
By the afternoon of June 15, 2025, law enforcement had located Boelter’s abandoned Buick near Green Isle. Inside, they discovered evidence linking him to the shootings, alongside a handwritten message addressed to the FBI where he acknowledged his role in the attacks. A perimeter was established, and a sudden sighting led to Boelter’s eventual surrender later that evening, where he complied with officers after being surrounded.
Presently, Boelter faces a slew of state charges, including murder and attempted murder. Federal charges of murder and stalking may lead to a possible death sentence. During his initial court appearance in St. Paul, Boelter claimed to be unable to afford legal representation, resulting in a federal defender being appointed. He was subsequently held without bail pending his next court appearance.
The shockwaves from these events have prompted urgent discussions across the nation regarding security measures for public officials. Many politicians are now reconsidering their personal safety protocols in light of this alarming attack. Senator Amy Klobuchar highlighted the resilience of those injured, sharing a message from Yvette Hoffman, who noted her husband’s ongoing recovery and the deep pain caused by the Hortmans’ deaths.
This incident serves as a grim reminder of the escalating tensions and divisions within American society and the drastic implications they can have on political figures and their families.
