Minnesota Lawmaker Killing Suspect Arrested After Manhunt

On June 14, 2025, Minnesota was rocked by a tragic and politically charged attack when 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter allegedly shot and killed state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, while also wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.  The shootings occurred in the early hours of the morning at their homes in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, respectively.  Boelter reportedly posed as a police officer, wearing a Halloween mask and using a police-like vehicle to gain access to the victims' homes. Following the attacks, authorities launched an extensive manhunt, the largest in Minnesota's history, involving over 200 officers and multiple agencies.  Boelter was apprehended late Sunday in a rural area with crops and woodlands in Sibley County, approximately 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis. Investigators discovered a manifesto and a list of nearly 70 potential targets in Boelter's vehicle, including prominent Democrats, abortion rights advocates, and public officials such as Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.  This has led authorities to believe the attacks were politically motivated, possibly driven by Boelter's strong anti-abortion views and his history of preaching against abortion rights and LGBTQ+ rights. Boelter, a former appointee by Governor Walz, had a varied work history, including claims of military training and involvement in private security.  However, investigations revealed that many of his claims were exaggerated or unsubstantiated.  He had also been involved in evangelical ministry, founding Revoformation Ministries with his wife, and had expressed dissatisfaction with Democratic politicians. In response to the shootings, Governor Walz condemned the violence as a politically motivated assassination and pledged to ensure justice is served.  The surviving Hoffmans remain hospitalized and are reported to be in stable condition after surgery. The incident has sparked widespread concern over political violence and the safety of public officials.  Authorities are continuing to investigate whether Boelter acted alone or was part of a broader extremist network.