Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old resident of Green Isle, Minnesota, has been charged with the stalking and murder of Melissa Hortman, former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband. He is also accused of stalking and shooting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson announced these charges following a two-day manhunt.
Court documents reveal that on June 14, 2025, Boelter allegedly executed a plan to target Minnesota officials. Disguised as a police officer and armed with firearms and body armor, he first approached Senator Hoffman’s home. Claiming to be law enforcement, he gained access before opening fire on both Senator Hoffman and his wife.
Boelter then proceeded to visit other elected officials’ homes but failed to make contact. His next stop was at Representative Hortman’s residence where local police had arrived for a safety check after learning about the earlier incident. Officers witnessed Boelter’s vehicle outside the Hortman home before he fired shots into the house, fatally wounding both Mr. and Mrs. Hortman.
Following this attack, authorities found multiple firearms in Boelter’s abandoned SUV along with notebooks listing names and addresses of various state officials. The ensuing manhunt involved federal, state, and local agencies working together until Boelter was captured near his residence in Green Isle.
Attorney General Pamela Bondi commented on the situation: “The horrific, targeted murders… have shocked the nation.” She emphasized that severe consequences would follow if Boelter is convicted.
Acting United States Attorney Joe Thompson described the events as unprecedented political assassinations in Minnesota: “It was an attack on our state and on our democracy.”
FBI Special Agent Alvin M. Winston Sr., reflecting on the investigation’s success due to collaboration among law enforcement agencies said: “This marked the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history.”
Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Whitt expressed gratitude for inter-agency cooperation: “Our community is shaken by this violence… Today we are one step closer to justice.”
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley highlighted ongoing efforts to ensure justice: “Our investigation with partner agencies is ongoing.”
ATF Special Agent Travis Riddle underscored ATF’s contribution through investigative resources like firearms tracing: “We extend our deepest condolences to victims’ families.”
Boelter will appear before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty in U.S District Court today.
This case results from collaborative investigations by multiple agencies including FBI Minneapolis Bureau; ATF St Paul Field Division; Brooklyn Park Police Department; Minneapolis Police Department; Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office; Champlin Police Department; New Hope Police Department alongside others under guidance from National Security Division’s Counterterrorism Section assisting U.S Attorney’s Office partnering closely with Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.
Assistant U.S Attorneys Harry M Jacobs Bradley M Endicott Matthew D Forbes Daniel W Bobier are prosecuting this case which remains allegations until proven guilty beyond reasonable doubt within legal proceedings.
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