A Minnesota man, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, has been apprehended after allegedly shooting two state lawmakers and their spouses, resulting in two fatalities. The incident unfolded early Saturday morning in Brooklyn Park, where former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed. Additionally, state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were injured during a related attack at their nearby home. Following a two-day manhunt, authorities captured Boelter in Sibley County after he reportedly identified himself to law enforcement. He now faces multiple state and federal murder charges, alongside other serious offenses.
Investigations into the timeline of events revealed a harrowing sequence of actions by Boelter. Early Saturday at 2:06 a.m., police responded to a 911 call from the Hoffmans’ daughter, reporting gunfire at their residence. Both victims were swiftly transported to a hospital and are recovering, with Yvette detailing the night’s ordeal, stating her husband suffered nine bullet wounds while she had eight. Despite their injuries, both expressed profound grief over the loss of their friends Melissa and Mark and condemned the violent political sentiments that led to the attack.
As authorities pieced together the events, they learned that Boelter had meticulously planned his attacks. After shooting the Hoffmans, he attempted to break into the home of another lawmaker who was on vacation. Security footage captured him wearing a police uniform and mask as he approached their door. He then moved to another senator’s residence for a wellness check but fled the scene when law enforcement arrived, narrowly evading capture.
Around 3:35 a.m., Boelter arrived at the Hortmans’ home and shot the couple. Officers had been alerted to perform a proactive welfare check due to the earlier shooting, arriving just in time to intervene. Boelter exchanged gunfire with police before fleeing, indicating a precarious situation that could have escalated had they not acted promptly. The police review highlighted the critical moments when officers arrived, catching Boelter in the act and potentially saving additional lives.
Later, Boelter texted family members, reflecting on his violent actions in coded language. He met an unidentified witness to purchase an electric bike and subsequently a sedan, withdrawing cash from a bank while attempting to evade apprehension. Law enforcement launched a comprehensive search, establishing a large staging area as they sought to locate Boelter, issuing warnings to the public regarding his potential whereabouts.
As the manhunt unfolded, investigators uncovered a disturbing cache of weapons in Boelter’s vehicle, including assault rifles and a list of public officials’ names. His arrest marked a significant moment in this complex case, and authorities described the search as among the largest in Minnesota’s history, involving over 20 SWAT teams. Following his capture, Boelter was charged with multiple counts of second-degree murder, with prosecutors pledging to pursue first-degree charges. The gravity of the situation underscores the challenges posed by violent political extremism, leaving officials and the community in a state of shock and mourning.
