Vance Luther Boelter has been apprehended

June 16, 2025 – MINNEAPOLIS, MN - Vance Luther Boelter has been apprehended in rural Minnesota. Boelter has been charged with shooting two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses this weekend went to the homes of at least two other Minnesota elected officials as he carried out the attacks, authorities said on Monday.

Joseph H. Thompson is the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota.

Vance said that Boelter disguised himself and his vehicle as a law enforcement officer during the attacks. He was also wearing a mask.

Boelter allegedly began by going to the home of State Senator John Hoffman where he shot both Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. They are both recovering in the hospital. He then went to the homes of a state representative in Maple Grove and a state senator in New Hope. At one home the legislator and his family were on vacation, so no one was there. At the other he encountered law enforcement there on a wellness check; but ignored their efforts to speak to him and instead drove off. Then he went to the home of past Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. Law enforcement saw him at the door, but Boelter shot through the door, entered the home, and gunned down both of the Hortmans as well as their dog. Both died and the dog was put down on Monday. Boelter fled out the back door and escaped law enforcement.

Law enforcement eventually tracked down Boelter to Green Isle, Minnesota where he owned a home. He is now in custody and appeared in federal court on Monday. He was charged with two counts of Second-Degree murder. Hennepin County District Attorney Mary Moriarty said that she intends on upgrading those charges to murder in the First Degree.

Police have said that they found a manifesto where Boelter explained why he committed his crimes and a lengthy hit list that included 11 Democratic state legislators in Minnesota, U.S. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minnesota), and other Midwest states including Michigan, Illinois, and Iowa. The list also includes supporters of abortion rights and other liberal causes.

(Original reporting by The Hill and the Washington Post contributed to this report.)