GREEN ISLE, Minn. — A Minnesota man has been charged with stalking and murdering Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as stalking and shooting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, in a series of targeted attacks that officials described as politically motivated.
Vance Luther Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, Minnesota, faces multiple federal charges, including murder and stalking. According to court documents, Boelter armed himself with firearms, wore body armor, and disguised himself as a law enforcement officer before launching the attacks in the early morning hours of June 14.
Boelter first went to Senator Hoffman’s residence, repeatedly knocking on the door and claiming to be a police officer. When Hoffman and his wife Yvette opened the door, they noticed Boelter was wearing a face mask. As they tried to shut the door, Boelter opened fire, striking both victims.
“These horrific acts of violence will not go unanswered,” said Attorney General Pamela Bondi. “The Department of Justice will prosecute this suspect to the fullest extent of the law.”
Second attack leaves House speaker and husband dead
Following the shooting at the Hoffman home, Boelter proceeded to the residence of Representative Hortman. Law enforcement, responding to the first incident, arrived at the Hortman home to conduct a welfare check and found Boelter already on the scene.
Boelter’s black Ford Explorer SUV, outfitted with police-style lights, was parked outside. Officers witnessed Boelter fire multiple shots into the home, striking Mark Hortman. Boelter then rushed inside and fired additional shots, killing Representative Hortman. Officers attempted to render aid but both victims succumbed to their injuries.
“This was a horrific act of targeted violence,” said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. “A gunman, impersonating a police officer, deliberately lured public servants to their own doorstep and opened fire.”
Inside Boelter’s vehicle, investigators recovered five firearms, a significant amount of ammunition, and handwritten notebooks listing dozens of Minnesota state and federal officials with their home addresses.
Two-day manhunt leads to arrest
Boelter then attempted to target two additional Minnesota officials but was unable to make contact. A manhunt spanning federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies followed. Authorities located Boelter in a field roughly one mile from his family residence in Green Isle on the evening of June 15.
“Vance Luther Boelter went on a violent rampage against our elected officials,” said Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson for the District of Minnesota. “These were targeted political assassinations the likes of which have never been seen in Minnesota.”
Boelter is scheduled to make his initial court appearance today before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty in U.S. District Court.
Ongoing investigation coordinated by multiple agencies
The FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, ATF, and numerous local police departments continue to investigate. Officials have not disclosed additional details regarding Boelter’s motive or whether other potential targets remain at risk.
“The deliberate targeting of elected officials and their families is an appalling act of political violence that has no place in our country,” said ATF St. Paul Special Agent in Charge Travis Riddle.
