After a two-day massive manhunt, Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested on Sunday, June 15, for allegedly killing a Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker and her husband while posing as a police officer. Governor Tim Walz characterized the crime as a “politically motivated assassination.”
Boelter is accused of fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, and her husband, Mark, in their Brooklyn Park home on Saturday. Authorities also allege that Boelter shot and wounded another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette at their Champlin home a few miles away.
“After a two-day manhunt, two sleepless nights, law enforcement have apprehended Vance Boelter,” Governor Walz announced at a news conference. “One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota. A moment in this country where we watch violence erupt, this cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences. Now is the time for us to recommit to the core values of this country, and each and every one of us can do it.”
Details of the Attacks and Manhunt
Walz reported that Senator Hoffman, who was hit by nine bullets, emerged from his final surgery and is recovering.
Boelter has links to evangelical ministries and claimed to be a security expert with experience in the Gaza Strip and Africa, according to online postings and public records reviewed by Reuters.
He has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder. Three of these charges carry potential jail terms of up to 40 years.
According to a Hennepin County criminal complaint unsealed on Sunday, Boelter impersonated a police officer, wearing a uniform and driving a Ford SUV equipped with police-style lights. He fled on foot early Saturday when confronted by officers at the Hortman residence. Police had warned residents to stay indoors during the extensive search.
When Boelter’s SUV was searched after the shootings, authorities discovered three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm handgun, and a list of other public officials including their addresses. Both Hortman and Hoffman were on this list, which reportedly contained over 50 individuals, some outside of Minnesota, including abortion rights advocates and facilities.
Acting on a tip that Boelter was near his home in Green Isle, over 20 SWAT teams aided by surveillance aircraft combed the area. Boelter was armed but surrendered without resistance. Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Geiger of the Minnesota State Patrol stated, “The suspect crawled to law enforcement teams and was placed under arrest. The suspect was taken into custody without any use of force.”
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley confirmed that the operation to capture Boelter, involving hundreds of detectives and numerous federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, was the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history. “Now begins the hard work of looking at what the motive is,” Bruley added.
This incident marks the latest in a series of high-profile political violence in the U.S., following events such as the 2022 attack on Nancy Pelosi’s husband, an assassination attempt on Donald Trump last year, and an arson attack at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s house in April.
