A 57-year-old man has been arrested in the US state of Minnesota on suspicion of killing a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband. The arrest, which took place on Sunday night, marked the conclusion of a massive two-day manhunt following the tragic deaths of Melissa Hortman, a prominent Minnesota Democrat, and her spouse, Mark. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has described this incident as a politically motivated assassination, raising concerns about the safety of public officials.
Police identified the suspect as Vance Luther Boelter, who was reportedly armed at the time of his arrest in a rural area west of Minneapolis. However, he surrendered peacefully when confronted by law enforcement. Boelter is also accused of shooting and wounding Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, both of whom are currently recovering in the hospital. Mrs. Hoffman expressed gratitude on Sunday, stating that they both felt incredibly lucky to be alive after the assault.
Boelter was taken into custody after investigators located a vehicle he is believed to have used in Sibley County, approximately 50 miles (80 km) from the murder scene in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. This operation involved air and SWAT teams and was described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota's history. Fortunately, no police officers were injured during the arrest, and officials have confirmed that they are not pursuing any additional suspects in this case.
At a press conference held with local officials following the arrest, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the attack as an unspeakable act that has fundamentally altered the state of Minnesota. He emphasized, "This cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences." Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey also spoke out, praising the skill and bravery of law enforcement agencies involved in Boelter's capture. Frey remarked, "Political violence is abhorrent; it cuts against the most basic moral fabric of our democracy. It's critical that those who commit these acts be held accountable under the law."
Boelter faces serious allegations, including impersonating a police officer to carry out the attacks on Saturday. Reports indicate that he exchanged gunfire with police officers before fleeing the suburban Minneapolis area. Melissa Hortman had a distinguished political career, serving in the Minnesota House of Representatives for 20 years and holding the position of speaker from 2019 to 2025.
Vance Luther Boelter, a former political appointee, was once a member of the same state workforce development board as Senator Hoffman. He is described as a security contractor and religious missionary with experience working in Africa and the Middle East, as detailed in his online CV. Additionally, Boelter had previously served as a pastor at a church in the Democratic Republic of Congo, as evidenced by photos shared on social media.
During the investigation, authorities reportedly discovered a list of potential targets in the vehicle used by Boelter for the alleged shootings. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, clarified that he would not label the notebook found in the car as a manifesto, as it did not contain extensive ideological writings. Local media have reported that the list included notable figures such as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison.
At the press conference following Boelter's arrest, Evans refrained from disclosing the names listed in the notebook but confirmed that state officials have reached out to authorities in Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Nebraska, and Iowa to ensure the safety of individuals named.
