A 57-year-old man has been arrested in Minnesota in connection with the fatal shooting of Democratic state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. The arrest follows a massive two-day manhunt described as the largest in the state’s history.
Vance Luther Boelter, the prime suspect, was apprehended Sunday night in a rural area west of Minneapolis. Authorities say he was armed at the time of arrest but surrendered peacefully when confronted by law enforcement. He faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder.
Boelter is also accused of shooting Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, in their Champlin home earlier the same day. Both victims survived and are recovering in hospital after sustaining a total of 17 gunshot wounds between them. In a statement, Mrs. Hoffman said the couple felt “incredibly lucky to be alive” and were devastated by the loss of their close friends, the Hortmans.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the attack as a “politically motivated assassination” and described it as an “unspeakable act” that had altered the state. While the motive remains under investigation, Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar both pointed to political extremism as a likely cause behind the targeted shootings.
Investigators found a car believed to have been used by Boelter in Sibley County, about 50 miles from the crime scene in Brooklyn Park. A notebook discovered in the vehicle reportedly contained a list of targets, including high-profile Minnesota officials such as Governor Walz, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. Authorities have notified officials in neighboring states in case the list included additional individuals.
Boelter, a former political appointee, once served on the same workforce development board as Senator Hoffman. He is also reported to be a security contractor and religious missionary who has worked in Africa and the Middle East. Photos posted on Facebook show Boelter preaching in the Democratic Republic of Congo as a church pastor.
The shootings began early Saturday morning when Boelter allegedly impersonated a police officer to access the Hoffmans’ residence. Reports suggest that during the assault, Mrs. Hoffman threw herself on top of her daughter to shield her from gunfire. Shortly after, the suspect is believed to have driven to the Hortmans’ home in Brooklyn Park, where both victims were fatally shot.
At a press conference on Sunday, local and state officials thanked law enforcement for their swift action and coordination during the search. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey praised the “skill and bravery” of the officers involved, stating that “political violence is abhorrent” and has no place in the state or country.
Residents of Brooklyn Park expressed deep shock at the killings, describing the Hortmans as long-time community members and kind neighbors. One local resident said the family had sent them Christmas cards every year. “What a big loss for Minnesota,” she added.
Melissa Hortman had served in the Minnesota House of Representatives for two decades and was Speaker of the House from 2019 to 2025. Her death, alongside that of her husband, has sent shockwaves through the state’s political landscape and renewed calls for a united stand against political violence. Boelter is expected to appear in court in Minneapolis on Monday at 1:30 PM local time.
