MINNEAPOLIS — Federal authorities have charged 57-year-old Vance Boelter in connection with a series of targeted shootings that left Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband dead, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife wounded.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson described the killings as “the stuff of nightmares,” revealing that Boelter had stalked his targets, disguised himself in tactical gear and a hyper-realistic mask, and left behind lists of dozens of Democratic officials, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar.
Timeline of Events: Four Homes Targeted
Boelter allegedly visited four lawmakers’ homes early Saturday morning:
- Champlin, MN: Boelter posed as a police officer at Sen. John Hoffman’s home. After Hoffman and his wife opened the door, Boelter forced his way in and shot them. Their daughter called 911.
- Maple Grove, MN: Boelter arrived at another lawmaker’s home, but no one was present.
- New Hope, MN: An officer spotted Boelter’s vehicle but believed he was law enforcement and let him drive off.
- Brooklyn Park, MN: At Rep. Melissa Hortman’s home, Boelter opened fire on arriving police before entering the house and fatally shooting Hortman and her husband, Mark.
Authorities said the officers’ quick response may have prevented additional deaths.
Suspect’s Arsenal and Surveillance Notes
Investigators recovered:
- A list of 45 public officials in Boelter’s vehicle.
- Notebooks containing detailed surveillance notes, including routes, home layouts, and family information.
- Multiple firearms, tactical gear, and a mask used to impersonate law enforcement.
Authorities believe Boelter was planning more attacks. A search of his wife’s vehicle also uncovered $10,000 in cash and family passports.
Capture and Motive
After a two-day manhunt involving 20 SWAT teams, Boelter was arrested Sunday night near his rural farm in Green Isle, Minnesota. He was armed but taken into custody without incident.
Boelter’s motive remains unclear. In a text to family following the attacks, he wrote:
“Dad went to war last night… I don’t wanna say more because I don’t want to implicate anybody.”
Political and Public Response
The shootings have shocked Minnesota’s political community and sparked renewed concern over political violence:
Boelter faces both federal and state charges, including first-degree murder and federal firearms violations.
A memorial has been established on Rep. Hortman’s desk at the Minnesota Capitol.
Law enforcement sources say the recovered hit list included multiple high-profile Democrats.
