In what authorities are calling one of Minnesota’s most disturbing acts of political violence in decades, 57-year-old Vance Boelter went on a terrifying spree early Friday morning, targeting the homes of Democratic lawmakers across the Twin Cities. The deadly rampage ended with the murder of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.
It Started with a Knock
At around 2 a.m., Boelter—dressed as a police officer, complete with fake badge, body armor, and a silicone mask—arrived at the Champlin home of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He rang their doorbell and said he was law enforcement. When the couple realized something was off, they challenged him. That’s when he pulled out a gun and opened fire.
Both were hit multiple times but miraculously survived. They remain hospitalized.
He Kept Moving
After fleeing the Hoffman home, Boelter continued his chilling plan. He drove to the Maple Grove home of Rep. Kristin Bahner, but she was out of town. No one answered the door.
Roughly 10 minutes later, police say he was spotted sitting in his vehicle outside Senator Ann Rest’s residence in New Hope. A sharp-eyed police officer, responding to a welfare check, saw the fake police lights on Boelter’s SUV. When approached, Boelter didn’t say a word—he just drove off. That quick response may have saved Senator Rest’s life.
The Final Stop: Brooklyn Park
At around 3:35 a.m., police raced to the home of Melissa Hortman, the former Speaker of the Minnesota House. But it was too late.
Boelter had already broken in and opened fire. Hortman, 54, and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their front door. The couple’s family dog was also killed. Officers who responded found a scene of unspeakable horror.
Who Was Vance Boelter?
Investigators say Boelter spent weeks planning the attacks. Inside his car, they found a notebook with detailed addresses of more than 45 public figures. He had written chilling notes, maps, and even plans for surveillance. His alleged targets included abortion-rights advocates, progressive lawmakers, and other public officials.
Federal prosecutors say he used fake IDs, military-style gear, and even surveillance equipment in what they’re calling an “attempted political assassination.”
Boelter was arrested the next day, hiding in the woods near his home in Green Isle after a massive manhunt involving SWAT teams, drones, and K9 units. He surrendered without a fight.
Charges and Legal Fallout
Vance Boelter is now facing a long list of charges. Federally, he’s charged with stalking and murdering two people in connection with that stalking, as well as firearms violations. At the state level, prosecutors are pushing for first-degree murder charges, which could lead to life without parole. The death penalty is also under consideration by federal prosecutors.
He’s being held without bail and has a court appearance set for June 27.
Lawmakers Shaken, But United
Governor Tim Walz called the attacks an “act of domestic terrorism” and emphasized the threat such violence poses to democracy. Lawmakers across the political spectrum expressed grief, shock, and a new level of fear. Several have now requested security upgrades and privacy protections, especially after discovering their personal data may have been acquired from online databases.
“This isn’t just about one man with a gun,” said a Democratic state senator. “This is about the rising threat we all feel just doing our jobs.”
What’s Next?
This tragedy has sparked new conversations in Minnesota—and across the country—about the safety of public officials, the dangers of political extremism, and how easily sensitive information can fall into the wrong hands.
For now, families are mourning. Survivors are healing. And a state is grappling with the realization that even their elected leaders can be hunted in the middle of the night—just for doing their jobs.
