A shocking incident has unfolded in Minnesota, where a man, Vance Luther Boelter, aged 57, is accused of dressing up as a police officer and committing a horrific act of violence against two state lawmakers in their homes. This tragic event resulted in the deaths of Democratic representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. Authorities revealed on Monday that Boelter had also targeted two other legislators that same night, intending to assassinate them as well.
The manhunt for Boelter culminated in his capture on Sunday night after a grueling two-day search. He has since been charged with second-degree murder for his role in the killings at the Hortman residence in Brooklyn Park early on Saturday. Additionally, he faces charges of attempted murder for an attack on state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, at their home in Champlin.
During his court appearance in federal court in St. Paul, Minnesota, Boelter claimed he could not afford a lawyer, leading to the appointment of a federal public defender to represent him. A hearing to determine whether he should remain in federal custody pending the outcome of his case is tentatively scheduled for June 27.
At a late-morning press conference, officials announced a separate 20-page federal indictment, which may include the death penalty for the murder of Melissa Hortman. Acting US Attorney for the district of Minnesota, Joe Thompson, emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that Boelter’s actions represent a “planned campaign of stalking and violence.”
Thompson described the events leading up to the tragic killings, stating that Boelter arrived at the Hoffmans' home in a black SUV, made to resemble a police vehicle, and donned a “hyper-realistic latex mask.” After posing as a police officer and gaining access to the home, he shot both lawmakers after they realized he was an imposter. Fortunately, both John and Yvette Hoffman remain hospitalized in serious condition but are expected to survive.
Following the attack on the Hoffmans, Boelter attempted to target additional lawmakers. He was captured on a doorbell camera at the home of a Minnesota state representative in Maple Grove, where he left after discovering she was on vacation. He then proceeded to a state senator's residence, where a New Hope police officer mistakenly assumed he was another officer responding to the earlier incident. Upon realizing something was amiss, the officer retreated to await backup, allowing Boelter to escape.
Ultimately, Boelter arrived at the Hortmans' home around 3:30 AM, where he engaged in a violent confrontation with responding officers, leading to the tragic deaths of both Melissa and Mark Hortman before fleeing the scene.
Authorities have indicated that Boelter meticulously planned his attacks, conducting extensive research on his victims and their families. He utilized the internet to gather personal information, including names and addresses, and conducted surveillance on their homes. Investigators found numerous names on hundreds of pages of documents in Boelter's vehicle, all of which were reportedly Democrats, alongside information concerning prominent state officials and community leaders.
Additionally, an FBI affidavit revealed that Boelter used cash to buy a vehicle from a stranger after the shootings, eventually leading police to a woodland area in Green Isle, about an hour west of Minneapolis. After an extensive search involving 20 tactical teams and a helicopter, Boelter was located and taken into custody following a brief negotiation.
During a Sunday news conference, Mark Bruley, the Brooklyn Park police chief, described the intense search operation that ultimately resulted in Boelter’s capture. In the vehicle, police allegedly found a handwritten confession, while a search of his wife’s car uncovered two handguns, passports, and $10,000 in cash. A concerning text message sent to his wife indicated his awareness of impending danger to their family.
Drew Evans, the superintendent of Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, stated that Boelter’s family members had been cooperative with investigators and were not taken into custody. This tragic incident serves as a stark reminder of the escalating trend of political violence and its implications for democracy and public safety.
