Suspect Arrested in Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings
On Sunday, June 15, 2025, US police arrested Vance Luther Boelter, 57, in connection with the targeted shootings of Minnesota lawmakers.
The arrest ended a two-day manhunt in Sibley County, about 70 miles from the crime scenes. Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder.
Authorities described the attacks as deliberate and politically motivated. The arrest brought relief to a state shaken by the violent spree.
Details of the Attack
Early Saturday, June 14, 2025, Boelter allegedly shot and killed Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their Brooklyn Park home.
Around the same time, he shot State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their Champlin residence, about nine miles away. Hoffman and his wife survived but sustained serious injuries. Police responded to a 911 call at Hoffman’s home around 2 a.m., then checked on Hortman, encountering Boelter. He fled after exchanging gunfire with officers.
Manhunt and Capture
The manhunt, described as Minnesota’s largest, involved 20 SWAT teams and multiple agencies, including the FBI. On Sunday, authorities found Boelter’s vehicle near Minnesota Highway 25 in Sibley County’s Faxon Township.
An emergency alert urged residents to lock doors and secure vehicles. A drone spotted Boelter in a field late Sunday. He surrendered to SWAT officers without further incident. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley praised the coordinated effort.
Suspect’s Background
Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old Minneapolis resident, had a varied past. His LinkedIn profile described him as a food industry veteran seeking employment.
He claimed extensive security and military training, leading Praetorian Guard Security Services in the Twin Cities. Boelter served on a state workforce board from 2016 to 2023, appointed by Gov.
Mark Dayton and later Gov. Tim Walz. A friend, David Carlson, told CNN that Boelter’s security expertise was partly exaggerated. Carlson received a text from Boelter Saturday morning hinting he might “be dead soon.”
Evidence Uncovered
Boelter impersonated a police officer during the attacks, wearing a realistic latex mask and a uniform. He drove a Ford SUV equipped with police-style lights. A search of his vehicle revealed three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9-mm handgun, and a manifesto.
The document listed about 70 potential targets, including Minnesota lawmakers like Sen. Amy Klobuchar and Rep. Ilhan Omar, as well as abortion rights advocates. Authorities also found papers with “No Kings” written on them. Boelter’s wife, Jenny, was stopped Saturday with cash, passports, and a weapon, but she was not arrested.
Political Reactions
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz condemned the shootings as an attack on public servants, calling for unity to reject political violence. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, whose name appeared on Boelter’s list, said during the manhunt that authorities believed he remained in the Midwest.
The FBI offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest. Senate Majority Leader Erin Murphy expressed gratitude to law enforcement for protecting lawmakers and apprehending Boelter. Authorities continue to investigate Boelter’s motives, including his reported anti-abortion views and financial struggles. The shootings sparked debates about political violence, with some right-wing conspiracies emerging online.
Minnesota Lawmaker Killed in Targeted Attack