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A man from Minnesota has been arrested after he allegedly shot two state legislators and their spouses, resulting in two deaths on Saturday morning.
Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was apprehended in Sibley County following a two-day search and now faces both state and federal murder charges, along with additional offenses.
He is accused of fatally shooting former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband, Mark, at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minneapolis, early Saturday morning. Additionally, he allegedly shot state Senator John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin during a related incident.
The Sibley County Sheriff’s Office informed Fox News that Boelter “verbalized” his identity to officers who were tracking him in the area on Sunday evening.
MINNESOTA LAWMAKER WAS ON VACATION WHEN MASKED SUSPECT KNOCKED ON DOOR
A mugshot of Minnesota shooting suspect Vance Boelter in custody at Hennepin County Jail. (Hennepin County Jail)
“The face of evil,” the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office stated in a Facebook post on Sunday, along with a picture of Boelter’s arrest. “Thanks to the relentless and collaborative efforts of multiple law enforcement agencies, this killer is in custody. Justice is now a step closer.”
In the time following the shootings, officials have disclosed more information in court documents that clarifies the sequence of events:
June 14
2 a.m.
Authorities responded to a 911 call at approximately 2:06 a.m. Saturday from the Hoffmans’ daughter reporting that her parents—John and Yvette—had been shot in their Champlin home.
Both individuals were taken to a nearby hospital and are anticipated to make a full recovery.
MINNESOTA SHOOTING SUSPECT VANCE BOELTER TO FACE FEDERAL CHARGES IN LAWMAKER ATTACKS
The back of the home belonging to former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was murdered in Brooklyn Park, Minn., June 14, 2025.(Fox News)
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, shared a message from Hoffman’s wife on Sunday, revealing that John was shot nine times and Yvette was hit eight times.
“John is undergoing multiple surgeries right now and is improving every hour,” Yvette communicated to Klobuchar. “He took nine bullets. I endured eight, and we both consider ourselves incredibly lucky to be alive. We are heartbroken over the loss of Melissa and Mark. Such political hatred should never exist.”
HEAR THE DISPATCH CALL:
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz stated, “The brave actions of the Hoffman family and their daughter Hope prevented many more tragedies” during a news conference on Sunday.
“The latest update is that Sen. Hoffman has completed his final surgery and is progressing toward recovery,” Walz added at the news conference on Sunday evening.
2:24 a.m.
Following the incident at the Hoffmans’ residence, Boelter reportedly made his way to another Minnesota state legislator’s home in Maple Grove, according to court documents and acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson, who spoke at a news conference on Monday announcing federal charges against Boelter.
MINNESOTA LAWMAKER SHOOTING SUSPECT HAD CACHE OF WEAPONS, HIT LIST IN VEHICLE, COURT DOCUMENTS SHOW
A surveillance image shows a masked suspect in the shooting of two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota on June 14, 2025. (Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
At around 2:24 a.m. Saturday, he knocked on the door of the unnamed state representative, but received no response as the lawmaker and his spouse were on vacation. Thompson described the security footage as “chilling,” as Boelter was still wearing the silicone mask and police uniform he had on during the Hoffmans’ shooting.
“Boelter planned his attack carefully.”
— Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson
2:36 a.m.
Shortly after attempting to knock on the Maple Grove family’s door, Boelter allegedly drove to another state senator’s residence in New Hope, Minnesota. He parked his black SUV in front of the house. New Hope police sent an officer to conduct a wellness check on the state senator. Upon arrival, the officer found Boelter’s SUV parked on the street with its lights on, according to the U.S. Attorney’s office.
Vance Boelter allegedly wore a “hyper-realistic” silicone mask while targeting his victims Saturday. (DOJ)
“The New Hope police officer approached Boelter … rolled down her window, and tried to speak with him. However, Boelter did not reply,” Thompson said. “The officer then proceeded to the state senator’s home and waited for backup. By the time help arrived, Boelter had left the location.”
SUSPECTED MINNESOTA LAWMAKER ASSASSIN VANCE BOELTER CAPTURED
3:35 a.m.
Boelter then went to the Hortmans’ home in Brooklyn Park, where he allegedly shot Melissa and Mark while still wearing the same police uniform and mask.
Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman were victims in a shooting that left her dead and him seriously injured. (AP Images)
Officials had proactively dispatched units to the Hortmans’ residence in Brooklyn Park after learning about what had transpired at the Hoffmans’ home.
Upon arrival around 3:35 a.m., officers reportedly saw the suspect shoot one of the victims through the open front door. Both victims were later found deceased from gunshot wounds inside the home, as documented in a probable cause statement.
MINNESOTA OFFICIALS FIND CAR, HAT BELONGING TO ASSASSIN SUSPECT VANCE BOELTER ON HIGHWAY IN ‘FLUID’ SEARCH
Upon arrival at the Hortman home around 3:35 a.m., officers witnessed the suspect shoot one of the victims through the open front door. (DOJ)
Police engaged in a shootout with Boelter before he fled the area, according to court documents.
“The question is, how crucial was it that the police officer checked in at Rep. Hortman’s home, which foiled the entire plan?” Thompson remarked during a Monday press conference. “It’s extremely important. It began with an off-duty sergeant who had heard about a shooting at Sen. Hoffman’s residence, and being attentive, said to his team, ‘Hey, drive by Melissa Hortman’s house and check it out, okay?’ That basically initiated their presence and led to him being found in the driveway.”
Police tape surrounds the residence of state Rep. Melissa Hortman
Sunday, June 15, 2025, in Brooklyn Park, Minn. (AP Photo/George Walker IV)
According to Thompson, “the criminal act was ongoing” when law enforcement arrived at the Hortman residence.
“It’s no exaggeration to say this is the stuff of nightmares.”
— Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson
“If they hadn’t stopped the plan … essentially seizing his vehicle, which contained all his maps, names, and weaponry – I would be extremely concerned about what might have unfolded in the following hours had [they] not intervened,” remarked the U.S. attorney.
Vance Luther Boelter was accused of assaults that resulted in two fatalities and two injuries, according to officials. (Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
5:30 a.m.
The Brooklyn Park Police Department urged residents in the vicinity to shelter in place, as reported by FOX 9 Minneapolis.
MAN CHARGED IN MINNESOTA LAWMAKER SHOOTING WITH MURDER, STALKING; FACES LIFE OR DEATH PENALTY
6:18 a.m.
After the shootings, Boelter sent a text to his family members at 6:18 a.m. on Saturday, as stated in court documents.
“Dad went to war last night… I don’t want to say more because I don’t want to implicate anyone,” the alleged message read.
Shattered windows at Melissa Hortman’s residence, June 15, 2025, in Brooklyn Park, Minn. (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
At roughly the same time, Boelter reportedly reached out to his wife with a message saying, “Words can’t express how sorry I am for this situation… armed individuals will come to the house and I don’t want you all around.”
7 a.m.
Boelter met a witness, referred to as Witness 1 in court documents, at a bus stop in north Minneapolis.
Dramatic images expose damage at Minnesota lawmaker’s home as manhunt for suspect continues.
Witness 1 explained to police that Boelter, whom he was unfamiliar with, was carrying two duffel bags and wanted to buy an electric bike from him. After some conversation, they boarded a bus to the witness’s home. Once there, Boelter allegedly expressed interest in purchasing the witness’s Buick sedan, which the witness agreed to.
Authorities released a photo of Vance Luther Boelter taken on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
Boelter then drove the sedan to a bank in Robinsdale, withdrawing $2,000, while being captured on surveillance wearing a cowboy hat. Allegedly, he paid the witness $900 for both the e-bike and the car.
9 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Officials held a press conference where they announced the casualties at the Hortman residence after officers were dispatched that morning.
Governor Tim Walz advised the public to refrain from attending political rallies scheduled in Minneapolis that Saturday.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley addresses the media at the Minnesota Emergency Management Center following Vance Boelter’s arrest on June 15, 2025. (Christopher Mark Juhn/Anadolu)
At some point on Saturday morning, Boelter’s wife, Jennifer Boelter, agreed to a search of her vehicle, as mentioned in the probable cause statement.
“Law enforcement recovered two handguns, nearly $10,000 in cash, and passports for Mrs. Boelter and their children from the vehicle, where Mrs. Boelter was present with the children,” the document noted.
1 p.m. to 3 p.m.
The Associated Press identified Vance Luther Boelter as a suspect in the related Saturday morning shootings. Local record checks indicated that Gov. Walz and former Gov. Mark Dayton appointed him to a nonpartisan workforce development board in 2019 and 2016 respectively, with his term concluding in 2023.
Gov. Walz and former Gov. Mark Dayton appointed Boelter to the nonpartisan workforce development board. (Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
Officials conducted a search at a Minneapolis residence where Boelter rented a room with two roommates. He reportedly stayed there on some nights for work, while his family lived in a separate house in Green Isle, as reported by the Star Tribune. Authorities established a staging area near Boelter’s Green Isle home that Saturday afternoon.
Boelter’s rental property in Minneapolis, where he was staying some weeknights for work, according to the Star Tribune. (Fox News Digital)
By 3 p.m. on Saturday, authorities had publicly named Boelter as a suspect in the shootings.
4 p.m.
The FBI announced a $50,000 reward for any information leading to Boelter’s capture.
June 15
2:30 a.m.
Authorities received reports of a person riding an e-bike approximately two miles northeast of Boelter’s Green Isle home.
7 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The search for Boelter extended into Sunday morning, with Sibley County authorities notifying residents about his wanted status just prior to 11 a.m.
A notice to Sibley County residents indicates that shooting suspect Vance Boelter’s vehicle has been found in the vicinity. (Fox News Digital)
Authorities located the suspect’s vehicle and cowboy hat off Highway 25 in Faxon Township early Sunday, prompting multiple law enforcement agencies and around 20 SWAT teams to search for Boelter in the rural suburban farming area.
Read the complaint:
Documents revealed a concerning arsenal found in Boelter’s possession. Inside his registered vehicle, police discovered three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm handgun, and a list of names and addresses of other public officials.
Law enforcement recovered approximately five firearms from Vance Boelter’s SUV along with significant amounts of ammunition organized in loaded magazines. (U.S. District Court for District of Minnesota)
5:30 p.m.
Authorities in Minnesota held an evening news conference, referring to the ongoing search for Boelter as “fluid.”
Law enforcement officers from the River Valley Tactical Team prepare to visit Vance Luther Boelter’s residence near Green Isle, Minn., Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Anthony Souffle/Star Tribune via AP)
9:10 p.m.
Law enforcement located Boelter “in a field” just a mile from his Green Isle home shortly after 9 p.m. on Sunday.
The Sibley
County Sheriff’s Office informed Fox News that Boelter “verbally” identified himself to law enforcement officials who were searching for him in the vicinity on Sunday evening.
Kevin Effertz, a resident of Sibley County and owner of the property where Boelter was apprehended, shared with Fox News Digital on Monday that a friend visiting his home on Sunday noticed something unusual.
“She spotted a man in the field all alone, dressed in black, facing away from her,” Effertz recounted. “As she approached down the driveway, he crouched down, which raised her suspicions.”
CHECK OUT SIBLEY COUNTY RESIDENT’S INTERVIEW:
The friend then “flagged down” a nearby police officer, who advised her to move to a safe spot.
“In less than 20 minutes, she called me back to say they had already caught him,” Effertz mentioned.
10:30 p.m.
Authorities conducted a news briefing to announce the suspect’s capture.
Vance Luther Boelter was apprehended on Sunday evening. (Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)
At a news conference alongside various law enforcement representatives following Boelter’s arrest, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley mentioned that over 20 different SWAT teams participated in the search. He labeled it as “the largest manhunt in the state’s history.”
The extensive manhunt involved multiple agencies, utilizing officers on foot and a helicopter.
The Hennepin County District Court filed a criminal complaint charging Boelter with four felony counts of second-degree murder with intent (not premeditated).
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz addresses a news conference at the Minnesota Emergency Management Center after Vance Boelter’s arrest on June 15, 2025. (Christopher Mark Juhn/Anadolu via Getty Images)
June 16
11 a.m.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office announced it would be seeking first-degree murder charges against Boelter.
His bail was set at $5 million.
12 p.m.
U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson revealed new federal charges against the suspect, which include two counts of stalking, two counts of murder, and two counts of gun-related offenses connected to the Saturday shootings.
Audrey Conklin is a digital reporter for Fox News Digital and FOX Business. To share tips, email audrey.conklin@fox.com or connect on Twitter at @audpants.
