- Monday, June 16, 2025
Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in what officials call a politically motivated attack. The suspect, ex-security contractor Vance Boelter, was arrested after a two-day manhunt involving drones, SWAT teams, and statewide alerts.
By: Vibhuti Pathak
A two-day manhunt in Minnesota ended Sunday night (15) with the arrest of 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, suspected of killing Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounding State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
The attacks, described by Governor Tim Walz as a “politically motivated assassination,” shook the state and prompted one of the largest law enforcement operations in Minnesota’s history.
Boelter, a former political appointee and security contractor, allegedly posed as a police officer to carry out the shootings on Saturday morning (14). He was armed at the time of his arrest in rural Sibley County, about 50 miles from the original crime scene in Brooklyn Park, but surrendered peacefully when confronted by police.
Air support, SWAT teams, and advanced surveillance technology, including drones and infrared systems, were deployed during the search.
Donald Trump’s Bail Bond: set at $454 Million and then reduced to $175 Million
Vance Luther Boelter’s Bail Bond: set at $5 Million for butchering 2 people
Do you see how corrupt the Justice System is ? pic.twitter.com/ObONO0pmbP
— MAGA Voice (@MAGAVoice) June 16, 2025
Victims and Community React
Melissa Hortman, a veteran lawmaker and former speaker of the Minnesota House, was killed alongside her husband in their home. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot but survived and are recovering in hospital. “We feel incredibly lucky to be alive,” Mrs. Hoffman said on Sunday.
Governor Walz condemned the violence, calling it an “unspeakable act” that “has changed the state of Minnesota.” He added, “This cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences.”
Walz praised law enforcement for their “skill and bravery,” and emphasized, “Political violence is abhorrent, it cuts against the most basic moral fabric of our democracy. It’s critical that those who commit these acts be held accountable under the law”.
Investigation Details and Motive
Authorities revealed that Boelter impersonated a police officer, wearing a uniform and driving a Ford SUV, to gain access to the victims’ homes.
Investigators found a notebook in Boelter’s vehicle listing up to 70 potential targets, including prominent Minnesota officials such as Governor Tim Walz, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. Officials have notified authorities in neighboring states to alert individuals named on the list.
Drew Evans, Superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said, “We will be looking into the possibility of any wider networks. However, we have not discovered anything of that nature so far.” He added, “As we recover, we will not permit fear to prevail”.
Charges and Next Steps
Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, according to a criminal complaint from Hennepin County. He is currently being questioned by investigators, and authorities have issued a federal warrant for his capture on charges of “unlawful flight to avoid prosecution”.
As Minnesota mourns, Governor Walz called for unity and a recommitment to the nation’s core values: “We cannot allow ourselves to grow desensitized to this brutality.
Our country is significantly divided, a reality that has become even more apparent in the past two days… The path forward is not through animosity or aggression, but rather through humility, grace, and civility”
