A 57-year-old Minnesota man has been arrested for the suspected murder of Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The arrest, following a two-day manhunt, concluded Sunday night.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the killings as a “politically motivated assassination.”
Authorities apprehended Vance Luther Boelter in a rural area west of Minneapolis. While armed, he surrendered peacefully. Boelter is also accused of shooting and wounding Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, both of whom are recovering in the hospital.
Mrs. Hoffman expressed gratitude for their survival, noting they sustained seventeen gunshot wounds between them. She and her husband are deeply saddened by the Hortmans’ deaths and condemned the political hatred underlying the attack.
Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder. His court appearance is scheduled for Monday.
Boelter, a former political appointee, previously served on the same state workforce development board as Senator Hoffman, though their acquaintance is unconfirmed.
While police haven’t released a motive, Governor Walz and Senator Amy Klobuchar have both alluded to political motivations. Authorities located Boelter’s vehicle in Sibley County, leading to his arrest following a large-scale manhunt, described as the state’s largest in history.
The arrest involved air and SWAT teams, but no officers were injured. Boelter’s wife was briefly detained but released after cooperating with investigators. No other suspects are being sought.
At a press conference, Governor Walz called the attack “unspeakable” and urged against political violence. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey commended law enforcement’s actions.
Boelter allegedly impersonated a police officer before the attacks, exchanging gunfire with officers and fleeing the scene.
Melissa Hortman served 20 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives, including as Speaker from 2019 to 2025. Boelter’s background includes work as a security contractor, religious missionary, and, according to online profiles, pastoring in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Investigators reportedly found a list of potential “targets” in Boelter’s vehicle. While the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans refrained from labeling it a “manifesto,” local media reported it included Governor Walz, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Authorities contacted officials in neighboring states to alert those named on the list. Mrs. Hoffman’s statement also provided an update on her husband’s condition, noting ongoing surgeries and a positive outlook.
The attacks began around 2:00 AM Saturday with the Hoffmans, followed by the Hortmans’ deaths approximately eight miles away. A social media post from Mrs. Hoffman’s nephew described her shielding her daughter during the attack.
Neighbors expressed shock and described the Hortmans as kind and well-liked members of their community.
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