In a shocking turn of events, the man responsible for the fatal shooting of Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the injuring of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, has been apprehended. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was captured on Sunday night after a major two-day manhunt and has been charged with two counts of murder and two of attempted murder.
Authorities revealed that Boelter, who posed as a police officer during the attacks, had a list of about 70 names in his possession, including prominent state and federal lawmakers, community leaders, and abortion rights advocates. The attacks were described as politically motivated, with Boelter intending to target other legislators’ homes that same night.
The shootings sent shockwaves through the state of Minnesota and the nation, prompting warnings to other state elected officials and the cancellation of planned protests. Despite this, some demonstrations, including the ‘No Kings’ protests against President Donald Trump, went ahead, drawing tens of thousands of participants.
Law enforcement agents recovered several AK-style firearms from Boelter’s vehicle, and he was believed to still be armed with a pistol at the time of his arrest. The suspect’s wife was also detained by police after a weapon, ammunition, and passports were found in her car during a traffic stop.
The motive behind the attacks remains unclear, with authorities yet to provide details on Boelter’s intentions. However, the recovery of writings from the fake police vehicle left at the crime scene shed some light on his plans. The writings included a list of names and home addresses for elected officials, mainly Democrats, as well as information about healthcare facilities.
Boelter’s arrest brings a sense of relief to a community on edge, as residents grapple with the aftermath of the tragic events. The victims, Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, are remembered as dedicated public servants, while state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, continue to recover from their injuries.
As the investigation unfolds, more details are expected to emerge regarding Boelter’s motives and the events leading up to the shootings. The capture of the suspect marks a significant milestone in the quest for justice and closure for the families affected by this senseless act of violence.
References:
– [https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/jun/16/minnesota-shooting-suspect-arrest-reports]
– [https://www.npr.org/2025/06/16/nx-s1-5434294/suspect-in-killing-of-minnesota-lawmaker-and-husband-taken-into-custody-and-charged]
– [https://www.wishtv.com/news/national/man-suspected-of-shooting-2-minnesota-lawmakers-caught-ap-sources-says/]
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