Minnesota Lawmaker Slayings Spark Outrage, Investigation into Political Motive

BELLE PLAINE, Minn. — A massive two-day manhunt ended Sunday when Vance Boelter, the man accused of fatally shooting a former state lawmaker and wounding another, crawled out of the woods near his rural home and surrendered to police.

Boelter, 51, now faces two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder after a weekend of violence that shook Minnesota and drew national attention to rising political tensions across the country.

Authorities say Boelter posed as a police officer and carried out targeted attacks on prominent Democratic figures. Early Saturday, former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot inside their Brooklyn Park home. Hours earlier, State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and critically wounded at their residence in nearby Champlin.

According to investigators, the attacks were carefully planned. Police believe Boelter altered a vehicle to resemble a law enforcement cruiser and arrived at both homes under false pretenses. At the Hoffmans’ residence, their adult daughter called 911 after a masked intruder opened fire on her parents. Roughly two hours later, Brooklyn Park police responded to a welfare check at the Hortmans’ home—arriving just in time to witness Boelter fatally shoot Mark Hortman through an open doorway. Melissa Hortman was later found dead inside the home.

The violence prompted what officials called the largest manhunt in Minnesota history, involving over 20 tactical units and aerial support. After locating Boelter’s vehicle abandoned in rural Sibley County, officers set up a search perimeter. Hours later, they found him hiding in the woods. He surrendered without resistance and was taken into custody around 1 a.m. Monday.

“This was an unthinkable tragedy,” said Gov. Tim Walz. “One man’s actions have altered the state of Minnesota forever.”

Investigators have not publicly disclosed a clear motive. However, law enforcement sources say a list of 70 names was discovered in Boelter’s vehicle, including state and federal lawmakers, community leaders, abortion rights advocates, and healthcare facilities.

A former political appointee, Boelter previously served on the same state workforce board as Hoffman, though their relationship is unclear. Text messages obtained by the Associated Press show Boelter texted friends Saturday morning to say he was sorry and may not survive the day.

“This cannot become the norm,” Walz emphasized. “This cannot be how we settle our political disagreements.”

In a public statement shared by Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Yvette Hoffman expressed gratitude for the outpouring of support: “John took nine bullets. I took eight. We are incredibly lucky to be alive and are devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark.”

Outside the Minnesota State Capitol, mourners left flowers, flags, and handwritten notes honoring the Hortmans’ service. One message read: “You were our leader through the hardest of times. Rest in Power.”

Authorities continue to investigate the extent of Boelter’s plans and whether others on his list may have also been targeted.