Latest news with #HennepinCountySheriff'sOffice
Global News
5 days ago
- Politics
- Global News
Man charged with shootings of Minnesota lawmakers pleads not guilty
The man charged with killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and injuring a state senator and his wife pleaded not guilty in federal court on Thursday. Vance Boelter, 58, was indicted on July 15 on six counts of murder, stalking and firearms violations. The murder charges could make him eligible for the federal death penalty, though prosecutors say that decision won't be made for months. One of Boelter's lawyers entered his not guilty plea on his behalf. The accused was present in the courtroom and wore an orange sweatshirt and yellow pants, according to The Associated Press. He spoke only to affirm that he understood the charges and thanked the judge. When Boelter was arraigned on June 16, prosecutors released a letter they say he wrote to FBI Director Kash Patel admitting to the murders. Story continues below advertisement View image in full screen This booking photo provided by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office shows Vance Boelter in Green Isle, Minn., on June 16, 2025. Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AP In it, he confessed to the June 14 shootings of Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. It does not provide a motive as to why he targeted the Hortmans or Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who both survived after being shot nine and eight times, respectively. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'Dear Kash Patel. My name is Dr. Vance Luther Boelter Ed.D. I am the shooter at large in Minnesota involved in the shoo 2 shootings the morning of Saturday June 15th at approximately 2:30 am and 3:30 am, or around that time. I will probably be dead by the time you read this letter,' Boelter wrote. In it, he made rambling mentions of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and boasted about the number of weapons he had stashed with him during his shooting spree. He concluded the letter by writing, 'I am willing to spill all the beans. I just want my family safe. They had nothing to do with this and are totally innocent. This was a one person job.' Story continues below advertisement On Thursday, U.S. Magistrate Judge Dulce Foster issued a revised schedule with various deadlines without setting a trial date to allow both sides ample time to review mountains of evidence. 'The investigation of this case arose out of the largest manhunt in Minnesota's history,' prosecutors wrote. 'Accordingly, the discovery to be produced by the government will include a substantial amount of investigative material and reports from more than a dozen different law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and local levels.' They added that the evidence could potentially include thousands of hours of video footage, tens of thousands of pages of responses to dozens of grand jury subpoenas, and data from numerous electronic devices seized during the investigation. Foster on Thursday agreed that the case is complex and excluded it from speedy trial requirements. Story continues below advertisement The motive for the crimes remains unclear. People who know Boelter said he is an evangelical Christian, politically conservative and had been struggling to find work. Authorities said Boelter made long lists of politicians in Minnesota and other states — all or mostly Democrats. In several letters written to the New York Times via his jail's messaging service, Boelter implied his actions were rooted in part in the Christian commandment to love one's neighbour. 'Because I love my neighbors prior to June 14th I conducted a 2-year-long undercover investigation,' he wrote. The acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, Joe Thompson, told reporters last month that 'there is little evidence showing why he turned to political violence and extremism.' Prosecutors say Boelter was disguised as a police officer and driving a fake squad car in the early hours of June 14 when he went to the Hoffman home in the Minneapolis suburb of Champlin. Boelter later went to the Hortman home, killing them both and gravely injuring their dog, authorities say. Boelter turned himself in to the police the next day. — with files from The Associated Press
Global News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Global News
Wife of Minnesota senator shielded their daughter from gunfire, nephew says
A relative of one of the lawmakers who was shot in Minnesota over the weekend says Democratic Sen. John Hoffman's wife saved the life of her daughter by shielding her from the barrage of bullets. Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman are recovering in hospital after the alleged gunman, Vance Boelter, 57, shot them nine and eight times, respectively. During the shooting, Yvette used her body to cover her adult daughter, Hope Hoffman, shielding her from the gunfire, said a nephew. 'Early this morning, an absolute vile piece of [expletive] dressed as a cop broke into my aunt and uncle's house and shot him 6 times and my aunt 5 times in a political act of terrorism,' Matt Ollig, a nephew of the Hoffmans said on Facebook, which was first reported by the BBC 'My aunt threw herself on her daughter, using her body as a shield to save her life.' Story continues below advertisement Boelter surrendered to police Sunday after they found him in the woods near his home following a massive manhunt that stretched over two days. He is accused of fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home, shortly after he opened fire on the Hoffmans in their home a few miles away. View image in full screen This booking photo provided by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office shows Vance Boelter in Green Isle, Minn., on June 16, 2025. Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via AP A Minnesota lawmaker also said that Hortman's dog had to be euthanized after being shot in the attack. 'Her children had to put down him after learning their parents had been murdered, ' Rep. Erin Koegel posted on the social media platform X. 'Gilbert wasn't going to survive. Melissa loved that dog. She trained him as a service dog. He flunked out of school and she was so happy he failed so he could stay!' Story continues below advertisement Her children had to put down him after learning their parents had been murdered. Gilbert wasn't going to survive. Melissa loved that dog. She trained him as a service dog. He flunked out of school and she was so happy he failed so he could stay! She needed him in heaven with her. — Erin Koegel (@ErinKoegel) June 16, 2025 Boelter is accused of posing as a police officer while carrying out the fatal attack and acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson told reporters Monday morning that Boelter meticulously panned the attacks, carrying out surveillance missions, taking notes on the homes and people he targeted and disguising himself as a police officer just before the shootings. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy Thompson said the suspect arrived at the Hoffmans' home in the early morning hours Saturday, and knocked on their door. He was wearing a silicon mask and shined a flashlight in their faces, saying there was a shooting reported at the house and asking if they had any weapons. The Hoffmans shouted, 'You're not a cop!' Thompson said. Then, the suspect announced 'this is a robbery' and he forced his way into the home and shot them. Story continues below advertisement At 2:05 a.m., Hope Hoffman called 911 to report her parents had been shot, officials said. View image in full screen Bullet holes mark the front door of the house of Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife who were shot earlier in the day, Saturday, June 14, 2025, in Champlin, Minn. Bruce Kluckhohn / The Associated Press Boelter had many notebooks full of plans that appeared to be months in the making, Thompson said. Underscoring what law enforcement officials said was the premeditated nature of the attacks, Boelter wrote out in one notebook a list of internet-based people search engines, according to court records. A list of about 70 names was found in writings recovered from the fake police vehicle that was left at the crime scene outside the Hortmans' home, officials said Sunday. The writings and list of names included prominent state and federal lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about healthcare facilities, according to the officials. But authorities have not found any writings that would 'clearly identify what motivated him,' Thompson said. Though the targets were Democrats and elected officials, Thompson said it was too soon to speculate on any sort of political ideology. Story continues below advertisement Democratic Gov. Tim Walz described the shootings as 'a politically motivated assassination.' We must stand united against violence. — Governor Tim Walz (@GovTimWalz) June 14, 2025 Friends and former colleagues of Boelter told The Associated Press that he was a devout Christian who attended an evangelical church and attended campaign rallies for U.S. President Donald Trump. They added he didn't often talk about politics and gave no impression that he might have held extreme beliefs. 'He was right-leaning politically but never fanatical, from what I saw, just strong beliefs,' Paul Schroeder, who has known Boelter for years, told AP. 'It seemed to be just that he was a conservative Republican who naturally followed Trump.' Story continues below advertisement 3:43 Minnesota shooting suspect faces 1st degree murder charges In a statement, shared by the Hoffman family, the senator and his wife shared that they are recovering and 'both incredibly lucky to be alive.' 'We continue our healing journey and are humbled by the outpouring of love and support our family has received from across the state and our nation,' the family said in a statement viewed by ABC News. Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other. Around 6 a.m. Saturday, Boelter texted friends to apologize for his actions, though he didn't say what he had done. Story continues below advertisement '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. … I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused,' he wrote in messages viewed by the AP. Boelter has been charged with federal murder and stalking offences. He also faces state charges, including murder and attempted murder.
Toronto Sun
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Toronto Sun
Minnesota shooting suspect planned to target two other legislators: Prosecutors
Vance Boelter, meticulously planned out the attacks, officials said Published Jun 16, 2025 • 5 minute read This booking photo released by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office on June 16, 2025, shows Vance Boelter at the Hennepin County Jail in Minnesota. (Photo by HANDOUT/Hennepin County Sheriff's Office/AFP via Getty Images) MINNEAPOLIS — The man accused of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another went to the homes of two other legislators on the night of the shootings, intending to inflict more carnage against those on his hitlist, a federal prosecutor said Monday. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account But one of the other lawmakers was on vacation and the suspect left the other house after police arrived early Saturday, acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said at a press conference. The suspect, Vance Boelter, meticulously planned out the attacks, carrying out surveillance missions, taking notes on the homes and people he targeted and disguising himself as a police officer on the night of the attacks, Thompson said. 'It is no exaggeration to say that his crimes are the stuff of nightmare,' he said. Boelter surrendered to police Sunday after they found him in the woods near his home following a massive manhunt over nearly two days that began near Minneapolis. He is accused of posing as an officer and fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Authorities say he also shot Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, who lived just a few miles away. Federal prosecutors announced Monday that they have charged Boelter, 57, with federal murder, stalking offenses. He already faces state charges, including murder and attempted murder. Boards cover the doors and windows outside the home of DFL State Rep. Melissa Hortman on June 15, 2025 in Brooklyn Park, Minn. Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were shot and killed. Photo by Stephen Maturen / Getty Images Boeltner had many notebooks full of plans and made efforts to find the addresses of his victims and their family members, Thompson said. But authorities have not found any writings that would 'clearly identify what motivated him,' he said. Though the targets were Democrats and elected officials, Thompson said it was too soon to speculate on any sort of political ideology that could explain his motives. Authorities declined to name the two other elected officials whom Boelter allegedly stalked but who escaped harm. But it was clear the shootings were politically motivated. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'This was a targeted attack against individuals who answered the call to public service,' said Alvin Winston, the special agent in charge of the FBI's Minneapolis field office. The resulting search, he said, was the largest search for a suspect in the history of the state. Boelter's wife consented to a search of her phone by law enforcement, according to an FBI affidavit that cites from a text from Boelter to a family group chat: 'Dad went to war last night … I don't wanna say more because I don't wanna implicate anybody.' His wife got another text that said: 'Words are not gonna explain how sorry I am for this situation … there's gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy and I don't want you guys around,' the affidavit said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. This photo made available by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office shows Vance Luther Boelter, the man accused of assassinating the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, as he was arrested late Sunday, June 15, 2025. (Ramsey County Sheriff's Office via AP) At one point, Boelter bought an electronic bike and a Buick sedan from someone he met at a bus stop in north Minneapolis, the federal affidavit said. Police found the sedan abandoned on a highway Sunday morning. In the car, law enforcement found a cowboy hat Boelter had been seen wearing in surveillance footage as well as a letter written to the FBI, authorities said. The letter said it was written by 'Dr. Vance Luther Boulter' and said he was 'the shooter at large in Minnesota involved in the 2 shootings.' The car was found in rural Sibley County, where Boelter lived, and a police officer reported that he believed he saw Boelter running into the woods. Police called in 20 different tactical teams, divvying up the area to search. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. During the search, police said they confirmed someone was in the woods and searched for hours, using a helicopter and officers on foot, until they found Boelter. He gave himself up to police, crawling out to officers before he was handcuffed and taken into custody in a field, authorities said. Jail records show Boelter was booked into the Hennepin County Jail early Monday. This combo from photos provided by Minnesota Legislature shows from left, Senator John A. Hoffman and Rep. Melissa Hortman. Photo by Minnesota Legislature via AP / AP A targeted attack Drew Evans, superintendent of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said the violence likely would've continued had Brooklyn Park officers not checked on Hortman's home, causing Boelter to flee. The Hoffmans were attacked first at their home in Champlin early Saturday. A criminal complaint unsealed after Boelter's arrest indicated their adult daughter called 911 to say a masked person had come to the door and shot her parents. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. After police in nearby Brooklyn Park learned that a lawmaker had been shot, they sent patrol officers to check on the Hortmans' home. Brooklyn Park police officers arrived just in time to see Boelter shoot Mark Hortman through the open door of the home and exchanged gunfire with Boelter, who fled into the home before escaping, the complaint said. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside, according to the document. Authorities said Boelter posed as a police officer, even allegedly altering a vehicle to make it look like a police car. A Minnesota lawmaker said that Hortman's dog had to be euthanized after being shot in the attack. 'Her children had to put down him after learning their parents had been murdered, ' Rep. Erin Koegel posted on the social media platform X. 'Gilbert wasn't going to survive. Melissa loved that dog. She trained him as a service dog. He flunked out of school and she was so happy he failed so he could stay!' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. A list of about 70 names was found in writings recovered from the fake police vehicle at the crime scene, said two law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation. The writings and list of names included prominent state and federal lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about health care facilities, according to the officials. A Minnesota official told the AP that lawmakers who had been outspoken in favor of abortion rights were on the list. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other. Just hours after the shootings, Boelter texted friends to apologize for his actions, though he didn't say what he had done. '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 wrote in messages viewed by the AP. Toronto Maple Leafs Toronto & GTA Toronto Maple Leafs Music Canada
Yahoo
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Vance Boelter Bio: Minnesota Lawmakers Attack Suspect Charged
Vance Luther Boelter, in custody, at an unidentified location; Booking photo provided by the Hennepin County Sheriff's Office shows Vance Boelter Credit - County Sheriff's Office via Facebook/Reuters; Hennepin County Sheriff's Office/AP Vance Luther Boelter, the 57-year-old man suspected of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses at their residences, is facing federal murder charges that could carry the death penalty, authorities announced. Boelter is being charged on the federal level with stalking both lawmakers, murdering state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and shooting state senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, the acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota, Joe Thompson, said during a press conference on Monday. The murder charges could potentially subject him to the death penalty if he is convicted, Thompson said, though he declined to say whether his office would seek the penalty in the case. Boelter also faces multiple state charges. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, told reporters that Boelter was arrested under a state criminal warrant and charged with the murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman as well as the shootings of John and Yvette Hoffman. Minnesota has abolished the death penalty. The maximum sentence for first-degree murder in the state is life in prison without the possibility of parole. Boelter is set to appear in both state and federal court Monday afternoon. Boelter's apprehension on Sunday night ended what Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called a 'complex and dangerous manhunt,' which involved local, state, and federal law enforcement officials. At a press conference Sunday night, Walz thanked the authorities involved for spending 'Father's Day away from their families to deliver justice for Melissa and Mark Hortman and their children who spent this Father's Day alone.' Read More: FBI Offers $50k Reward in Hunt for Man Suspected of Killing Minnesota Lawmaker and Her Husband Hortman and her husband were killed at their residence in Brooklyn Park in the early hours of Saturday morning. A short while before, the Hoffmans had been targeted at their home in nearby Champlin, where they were shot multiple times but survived the attack. Police discovered the couple after responding to a 911 call at around 2 a.m. local time. They have since undergone surgeries and are recovering in the hospital. The FBI had earlier placed Boelter on its Most-Wanted list, describing him as having gray hair and brown eyes with a 6 ft., 1 in. height and weighing about 220 lbs. Per the FBI, the suspect was impersonating a police officer when he carried out the assaults. Additional reports suggest he may have been wearing a realistic-looking latex mask. Minnesota's Commissioner of Public Safety Bob Jacobson said at the press conference that Boelter 'exploited the trust our uniforms are meant to represent,' adding that the 'betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility.' When officers searched a fake police vehicle, believed to have been used by the suspect, on site near Hortman's residence, they found a 'manifesto,' which named a number of local lawmakers and organizations (including Hoffman and Hortman). This led to fears the suspect may have had additional targets in mind. Authorities said they are continuing to investigate whether anyone helped Boelter, but that nothing in the criminal complaint suggests he did. Walz decried how one man's 'unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota' and promised that Boelter will 'serve justice.' Walz also emphasized that 'this cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences.' Here is what we know about Boelter. Mark Bruley, chief of Brooklyn Park Police in Minnesota, described the operation as 'the largest manhunt in the state's history,' with over 20 different SWAT teams involved in a span of 43 hours. Earlier on Sunday around midday local time, residents of Sibley County, Minn., were sent an emergency alert informing them that Boelter's vehicle had been found near the state's Highway 25. Boelter was not present at the scene. Prior to this, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension reported that Boelter was last seen on Saturday morning in Minneapolis, shortly after the shootings, when at around 6 a.m., local time, he stopped by a home near 49th and Fremont, where residents say he had rented a room. Security cameras captured footage of Boelter wearing casual clothing and a cowboy hat. Officials said the search for Boelter included the use of unmanned aerial vehicles and helicopters, as well as infrared technology. Bruley said authorities created a perimeter after they were provided information that Boelter was seen in the area of Sibley County, which Evans, the superintendent, described as 'rural' and filled with 'streams, fields, woods, crops.' Where Boelter 'was ultimately taken into custody was in a field,' Evans said, adding that Boelter was armed during his arrest. Minnesota State Patrol Assistant Chief Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger said law enforcement did not use force during the arrest and no law enforcement personnel was injured. Boelter 'crawled to law enforcement teams,' Geiger said, before his arrest. Boelter and Hoffman worked together in some capacity on the Governor's Workforce Development Board. In a press conference, superintendent Evans was asked about the nature of the relationship between Boelter and Hoffman. 'There's certainly some overlap with some public meetings with Sen. Hoffman and the individual, but we don't know the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other,' Evans said. It's unclear if the suspect had previously crossed paths with state Rep. Hortman or her husband. When officers arrived on the scene at Hortman's residence, they spotted a fake police vehicle. When law enforcement searched the SUV, they found a 'manifesto' marked with around 70 names of lawmakers and organizations. Hoffman and Hortman were named. The list reportedly included several different lawmakers across Minnesota, the Midwest, and the Capitol, as well as locations for Planned Parenthood. Superintendent Evans has said it would be 'premature' to comment with any certainty on the motivation of the attacks based on the writing alone. The authorities have sent extra security to those that they believe are in harm's way with the suspect still at-large. On Meet the Press, Klobuchar said that more security had been added to her team. 'It was politically-motivated, and there clearly was some through line with abortion because of the groups that were on the list, and other things that I've heard were in this manifesto,' Klobuchar said. In an interview with NPR, Minnesota Sen. Tina Smith, a Democrat, said she was on the manifesto list and that she is currently working closely with Capitol Police and local law enforcement. There were also "No Kings" flyers, in reference to the protests that took place across the U.S. on Saturday, found in the vehicle. As a result, police urged the public not to attend the Minnesota "No Kings" demonstration. Despite the organizers canceling the event, large crowds still showed up. Boelter is listed as having a home near Green Isle, Minn. The Police conducted a search of the home on Saturday. David Carlson, a friend of Boelter, is quoted as telling CNN affiliate KARE that Boelter texted his friends in the lead-up to the shootings. 'I just wanna let you know that I love you guys and I wish it hadn't gone this way. I don't wanna say anything more and implicate you in any way, because you guys don't know anything about this, but I love you guys and I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused,' the text reportedly said. According to Carlson, Boelter worked at a funeral home, owned guns, and voted for President Donald Trump last year. A LinkedIn page that seemingly belongs to Boelter states he has a doctorate in educational leadership and a master's of science in management from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee. The prefix "Dr." is used across his online profiles. That LinkedIn profile puts Boelter as the CEO of the Red Lion Group, a self-described security services company. Boelter also appears to be listed as 'director of security patrols' for Praetorian Guard Security Services, which is introduced on the company's website as a security firm that provides residential security patrols, event security services, and uniformed security. The company describes how it drives "the same make and model of vehicles that many police departments use in the U.S.' A woman named Jenny, believed to be Boelter's wife, is listed as the company's president. Read More: The Trump Assassination Attempt Represents a Dark New Chapter in American Politics Boelter appears to be an Evangelical Christian, who has delivered testimonials in Africa. In one video reviewed by TIME, a man that resembles a strong likeness to Boelter can be seen criticizing the LGBTQ+ community, saying: 'There's people, especially in America, they don't know what sex they are, they don't know their sexual orientation, they're confused. The enemy has gotten so far into their mind and their soul.' Six years ago, a post on the LinkedIn profile believed to belong to Boelter urged people in the U.S. to vote, though it did not specify who people should vote for. Contact us at letters@
GMA Network
16-06-2025
- Politics
- GMA Network
Suspect in shooting of Minnesota lawmakers to appear in court on murder charges
A composite of a photo released by the FBI allegedly showing Vance Boelter wearing a mask and disguised as a police officer at the door of Assemblywoman Melissa Hortman and husband Mark Hortman, both of whom were shot dead; and the June 16, 2025 mugshot provided by Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via REUTERS MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — A man accused of killing a Democratic state lawmaker while posing as a police officer is expected to appear in a Minnesota court on Monday afternoon on state murder charges. Vance Boelter, 57, is being held in Hennepin County after he was arrested on Sunday following a massive manhunt over the weekend. Boelter is accused of shooting dead Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, and her husband, Mark, in their home on Saturday. Authorities said Boelter was also suspected of shooting and wounding another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette at their home a few miles away. Governor Tim Walz has characterized the crimes as a "politically motivated assassination." "A moment in this country where we watch violence erupt, this cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences," Walz said. Boelter was charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder, a criminal complaint showed. He is scheduled to appear in court at 1:30 p.m. local time, jail records showed. Three of those charges are punishable with jail terms of up to 40 years, according to a Hennepin County criminal complaint unsealed on Sunday. Boelter had been impersonating a police officer while carrying out the shootings, wearing an officer's uniform and driving a Ford SUV with police-style lights, the complaint said. Boelter fled on foot early on Saturday when officers confronted him at Hortman's Brooklyn Park home, said authorities who had warned residents to stay indoors for their own safety and unleashed the state's biggest manhunt. When police searched Boelter's SUV after the shootings, they discovered three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9-mm handgun, and a list of other public officials including their addresses, the criminal complaint showed. Working on a tip that Boelter was near his home in the city of Green Isle, more than 20 SWAT teams combed the area, aided by surveillance aircraft, officials said. Boelter was armed but surrendered with no shots fired. The operation to capture Boelter, drawing on the work of hundreds of detectives and a wide range of federal, state and local law enforcement agencies, was the largest manhunt in state history, Brooklyn Park police Chief Mark Bruley said during a news conference on Sunday. The killing was the latest episode of high-profile US political violence. Such incidents range from a 2022 attack on former Democratic US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's husband at their home, to an assassination bid on Donald Trump last year, and an arson attack at Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's house in April. — Reuters
