In the early hours of Saturday, June 14, 2025, a chilling act of violence shook Minnesota’s political landscape. Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old man with a background in security and state government service, is now the subject of a massive manhunt after allegedly killing Minnesota House Democratic Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and shooting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their respective homes in the Twin Cities suburbs.
The attacks unfolded in two locations roughly five miles apart. Around 2 a.m., Sen. Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times at their home in Champlin. Both survived after undergoing surgery and are reported to be in stable condition, with Governor Tim Walz expressing cautious optimism about their recovery. Shortly after, at about 3:35 a.m., police officers proactively went to Rep. Hortman’s home in Brooklyn Park. It was there they encountered Boelter, who was impersonating a police officer, complete with a latex mask and a vehicle outfitted with emergency lights and sirens that closely resembled an official police SUV.
When officers approached, Boelter opened fire, prompting a gunfight during which he managed to flee on foot. Authorities later found the Hortmans — Melissa and Mark — fatally shot at their residence. The suspect’s vehicle was left behind in the driveway, containing a disturbing manifesto listing dozens of Minnesota Democrats, including Governor Walz, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, U.S. Senator Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison. The list also named abortion providers and pro-choice activists, indicating a possible politically motivated agenda.
Governor Walz condemned the attack as an assault on democracy itself, stating, “We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint. We will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice.” The governor also activated the State Emergency Operations Center in response to the crisis.
Boelter, standing 6-foot-1 and weighing approximately 220 pounds, was last seen in Minneapolis wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark long-sleeved collared shirt, and light pants. Surveillance footage shows him dressed as a police officer, wearing a realistic latex mask during the attack. Authorities have urged the public not to approach him, labeling him armed and dangerous, and have set up a tip line for information leading to his capture. The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information that results in his arrest and conviction.
Boelter’s background is complex and unsettling. He has extensive military and private security experience, having worked in conflict zones across Eastern Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, including the West Bank, Southern Lebanon, and the Gaza Strip. He served as the director of security patrols at Praetorian Guard Security Services, a Twin Cities-based company providing armed security services. The company’s website features images of tactical gear and vehicles resembling police cruisers, underscoring the professional security veneer Boelter maintained.
Politically, Boelter was no stranger to Minnesota’s government circles. He was appointed in 2016 by then-Governor Mark Dayton to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board, a policy advisory group, and was reappointed in 2019 by Governor Walz. He served as a private sector representative until his term ended in January 2023. Notably, he served on the same board as Sen. Hoffman, though it remains unclear how well they knew each other.
Adding a human dimension to this tragic story, Boelter’s longtime friend and roommate revealed that Boelter had been under financial stress and sent a text message to his roommates on the morning of the shootings. In it, Boelter wrote, “David and Ron, I love you guys. I made some choices, and you guys don’t know anything about this, but I’m going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn’t gone this way.” He also expressed concern about not implicating his friends in whatever was about to happen.
The violence has sent shockwaves through the community and the nation, with political rallies planned for the day being canceled out of caution. Authorities have issued shelter-in-place orders in affected areas and urged the public to remain vigilant. The South Dakota Highway Patrol even issued a “Be on the Lookout” alert for a maroon Buick believed to be connected to the suspect’s movements.
Law enforcement agencies, including the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the FBI, are working closely to locate Boelter. Several people have been detained and questioned, but no arrests have been made. The investigation remains active and fluid, with officials emphasizing the importance of public cooperation.
The shootings have reignited conversations about political violence and the safety of public servants. The fact that the suspect left behind a manifesto targeting pro-choice advocates and Democratic lawmakers raises profound concerns about the escalating polarization and the threats faced by elected officials.
As this story develops, Minnesota and the country grapple with the tragic loss of two lives and the ongoing threat posed by a man who once operated within the very systems he now appears to have violently rejected. The hunt for Vance Luther Boelter continues, underscoring the urgent need for vigilance and unity against acts of hatred and violence.
