Minnesota officials report that Vance Luther Boelter, 57, charged with the murders of Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, also attempted to assassinate two other state lawmakers. The attacks, described as “truly chilling” by US Attorney Joseph Thompson, involved pre-meditated surveillance of the victims and their families, suggesting a larger, thwarted plot.
Boelter appeared in court Monday on six federal charges, facing the potential death penalty if convicted. He declared indigency and will be represented by a federal public defender. During the brief hearing, he disclosed assets including seven vehicles, $20,000-$30,000 in savings, and a weekly income of approximately $540.
A press conference detailed the events of early Saturday morning in the Minneapolis suburbs. The Hortmans were fatally shot, while state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, sustained multiple gunshot wounds in a separate attack. Boelter faces federal charges including two counts each of stalking, murder, and firearms offenses; state charges include two counts each of second-degree murder and attempted second-degree murder.
Thompson recounted how Boelter, disguised as a police officer using a black car with emergency lights and a realistic silicon mask, approached the Hoffmans. Security camera footage provided crucial evidence. After falsely claiming a shooting, Boelter fired repeatedly when the Hoffmans resisted, fleeing after their daughter called 911. Yvette Hoffman suffered eight gunshot wounds, John Hoffman nine. Governor Tim Walz later reported Senator Hoffman’s progress towards recovery.
Boelter subsequently attempted to target two additional lawmakers’ homes; one was away on vacation, the other’s identity remains undisclosed. State Senator Ann Rest publicly confirmed the suspect’s presence near her home, expressing gratitude for the New Hope Police Department’s intervention. An officer briefly encountered Boelter, mistaking him for a fellow officer responding to the scene. Boelter’s unresponsive demeanor raised suspicion.
Boelter’s final attack targeted the Hortman residence, resulting in the couple’s deaths. Police engaged him in gunfire before he fled; a two-day search culminated in his peaceful surrender Sunday night. Thompson highlighted Boelter’s meticulous planning, including surveillance, notes, and a list of over 45 state and federal officials, including Hortman, found in his vehicle along with additional firearms and ammunition.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley credited officers with thwarting a potentially larger-scale attack by seizing Boelter’s vehicle and its contents, averting what he described as a terrifying escalation. Thompson characterized the incident as a chilling assault on democracy, reflecting a concerning trend of escalating political extremism.
Boelter’s next court appearance is scheduled for June 27th.