Man suspected of shooting legislators apprehended, State Senator Hoffman’s condition improving

Updated June 16, 12:37 p.m.

After the shocking news of four shootings on Saturday, June 14, targeting two DFL members of the state Legislature, authorities announced Sunday night that they have arrested a suspect.

The arrest

Vance Boelter is suspected of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their Brooklyn Park home, and attacking State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin on Saturday morning. Boelter was taken into custody without incident in Sibley County on Sunday night.

At a press conference held late Sunday night, Gov. Tim Walz commended the many agencies involved in the search for Boelter. “After a two–day manhunt, two sleepless nights, law enforcement have apprehended Vance Boelter. That’s 48 hours that law enforcement were involved in a complex and dangerous manhunt,” Walz said. “The state of Minnesota owes you a debt of gratitude. Thank you. You ran towards the danger and you served the state of Minnesota.”

The law enforcement leaders at the press conference listed the many organizations that were part of the search for Boelter. They included Brooklyn Park Police Department, the Tri-City SWAT team, Eagan Police Department, Brunsville Police Department, the South Metro SWAT team, the FBI, ATF United States Marshal Service, Minnesota State Patrol, Washington County Sheriff’s Office, Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office, Richfield Police Department, St. Paul Police Department, Bloomington Police Department, Sibley County, Green Isle Fire Department, and the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said of the 43-hour manhunt, “There’s no question that this is the largest manhunt in the state’s history.”

Law enforcement leaders were unable to share all of the details of how they were able to locate Boelter; however, they did confirm that thermal imaging was used to find him in the wooded area and fields where he was ultimately arrested. Law enforcement was tipped off to his general location by a citizen who spotted him with their trail camera.

So far, Boelter has been charged with the murder of Melissa and Mark Hortman and the attempted murders of John and Yvette Hoffman. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said, “We are also in close contact with our federal partners, both the FBI and, United States Attorney’s Office, who are examining whether or not additional charges should be brought at the federal level related to this. ”

Evans added that a list of what they believe are other potential targets belonging to the suspect was recovered, and included people in several other Midwest states.

The press conference also included some details about the shootings on Saturday morning and how law enforcement was initially alerted to the violence. After Boelter allegedly shot John and Yvette Hoffman, their daughter Hope called the police. The Champlin police department communicated with the Brooklyn Park Police Department, who then conducted a wellness check at the Hortman home, since the elected officials lived less than 10 miles apart. At the Hortman residence, officers say they saw Boelter shoot Mark Hortman, then flee the scene in what appeared to be a police uniform, leaving behind a vehicle resembling a police car.

The victims

Walz’s statements on Sunday night included words about the victims. “Melissa Hortman was the core of who our values were,” he said. “To Melissa and Mark’s family, I cannot fathom your pain and the grief that you’re going through. We’ll take solace in the memory and the work that Melissa did, and you can rest assured that we will put every ounce of effort that the state of Minnesota has to make sure that justice is served, and the individual responsible for this serves the time for the unspeakable act. The state grieves with you.”

Walz also commended the Hoffman family, mentioning specifically his belief that Hope Hoffman alerting the police could have saved the lives of other potential victims.

John Hoffman is reported to be improving following surgery to address the nine gunshot wounds he sustained. Yvette Hoffman shared a statement with U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar, whom she gave permission to share it publicly.

“John is enduring many surgeries right now and is closer every hour to being out of the woods. He took 9 bullet hits. I took 8 and we are both incredibly lucky to be alive,” Yvette Hoffman’s message to Klobuchar read. “We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark. We have no words. There is never a place for this kind of political hate. Thank you for your friendship always. Minnesotans are at our very best when we stand together.”

The political landscape

Walz commented previously, saying Saturday’s attack “appears to be a politically motivated assassination.” Acquaintances of Boelter have told the Associated Press that he identified as conservative and an evangelical Christian. However, during both a press briefing earlier on Sunday and after Boelter was arrested, Evens encouraged the public not to speculate on any specific motive for the alleged crime, and added that they have found no evidence of any threats made by the suspect before the attacks.

While law enforcement issued a “shelter in place” warning for lawmakers in the Twin Cities metro after the shootings, and advised residents against attending the “No Kings” rally planned for Saturday, 25,000-30,000 people gathered at the Capitol in St. Paul. Walz did not address the crowd as originally planned.

On Sunday, mourners began leaving flowers and messages at the state capitol, honoring Melissa Hortman.

This has proven to be a particularly divisive time in U.S politics. At the Sunday night press conference, Walz reflected on Hortman’s history of negotiating in the legislature. Speaking about the shootings, he said, “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, talk to a neighbor rather than arguing, debate an issue, shake hands, find common ground.”

Monday update

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson announced at a Monday press conference that Boelter would be facing federal murder and stalking charged. He also shared that investigators had found evidence that Boelter had detailed plans for the attacks, including on several other elected officials. Boelter allegedly went to two other residences of state lawmakers on Saturday morning. Authorities did not name which legislators’ homes they believe Boelter went to, but did state that one was in Maple Grove and another in New Hope.

Boelter allegedly stopped at those residences between the attacks on the Hoffmans and the Hortmans, where he was ultimately seen by law enforcement.

This is an ongoing story. WTIP will provide additional updates as they become available.

Kirsten Wisniewski June 15, 2025