Minnesota shaken after deadly attack on lawmakers—suspect arrested
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Minnesota is reeling after a targeted attack on two homes left two people dead and two others injured.
Authorities have now arrested the man they say is responsible.
Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday.
Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin residence just miles away.
The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, was taken into custody Sunday evening in a rural field in Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis.
The arrest brought an end to what officials described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history.
“One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota,” said Governor Tim Walz at a news conference.
Sequence of events
Police first responded around 2 a.m. Saturday to Senator Hoffman’s home in Champlin, where both he and his wife Yvette had been shot.
Shortly after, Brooklyn Park police proactively checked on the nearby residence of Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.
There, they encountered a man dressed as a police officer near a vehicle designed to resemble a squad car.
According to Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, the man fired at officers, then retreated into the home before fleeing on foot.
Authorities later found the abandoned vehicle on a rural road in Sibley County, about 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis.
Inside were several AK-style firearms, a cowboy hat, and written materials, including a list of approximately 70 individuals.
Officials say the list included state and federal lawmakers, community leaders, abortion rights advocates, and information about healthcare facilities.
Residents in the surrounding area received emergency alerts instructing them to lock their homes and vehicles as law enforcement continued the search.
Also read: What the CIA didn’t want you to know: Unveiling the secrets in the newly released JFK files
Boelter was captured in a field after a nearly two-day search involving more than 20 SWAT teams and over 100 law enforcement officers.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, confirmed the suspect acted alone and now faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said, “There’s no question that this is the largest manhunt in the state’s history.”
Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer, using a vehicle modified to look like a squad car.
His family, including his wife, has cooperated with investigators and is not under suspicion.
Authorities have yet to announce a motive, though individuals familiar with the case said many names on Boelter’s list had publicly supported abortion rights.
Around 6 a.m. Saturday, Boelter texted friends to apologize, writing, “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.”
On Sunday evening, Sen. Amy Klobuchar shared a message from Yvette Hoffman, who thanked the public for their support.
“John is enduring many surgeries right now and is closer every hour to being out of the woods,” Yvette said.
“He took 9 bullet hits. I took 8 and we are both incredibly lucky to be alive. We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark.”
Also read: Shocking twist in CEO murder: Prosecutors seek death penalty for suspect Luigi Mangione
Remembering the victims
Melissa Hortman, 55, was Speaker of the Minnesota House and a longtime Democratic leader.
She most recently held the title of Speaker Emerita following a power-sharing agreement earlier this year.
Hortman had two adult children and was known for her legislative work, including efforts to expand legal protections for abortion access in the state.
Governor Tim Walz called her “the most consequential Speaker in state history.”
Mourners gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol, leaving flowers, flags, and handwritten notes in her memory.
Pam Stein, a retired lawyer who visited the memorial, described Hortman as someone who “had a way of bringing people to the table and getting things done like no one else could do.”
She referred to her as “an absolute powerhouse” and “the real unsung hero of Minnesota government.”
Senator Hoffman, 60, chairs the Senate Human Services Committee.
He and Yvette are recovering after undergoing surgery.
The couple has one adult daughter.
Also read: Tragic home invasion leaves one dead, 13-year-old son calls 911
Officials ramped up security for public officials across Minnesota following the attack.
Some planned demonstrations were canceled, while others—including a large gathering at the Capitol—went ahead.
Authorities continue reviewing the materials found in Boelter’s possession and are urging the public to stay vigilant as the investigation continues.
Read next: What’s behind Gavin Newsom’s political shift—and what it could mean for 2028
Our thoughts are with the families affected and the wider community during this difficult time, as Minnesotans come together in grief, support, and a shared hope for healing and justice.
Authorities have now arrested the man they say is responsible.
Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday.
Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin residence just miles away.
The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, was taken into custody Sunday evening in a rural field in Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis.
The arrest brought an end to what officials described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history.
“One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota,” said Governor Tim Walz at a news conference.
Authorities continue searching for the suspect following the targeted shootings involving Minnesota lawmakers. Image Source: YouTube / CBS News.
Sequence of events
Police first responded around 2 a.m. Saturday to Senator Hoffman’s home in Champlin, where both he and his wife Yvette had been shot.
Shortly after, Brooklyn Park police proactively checked on the nearby residence of Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.
There, they encountered a man dressed as a police officer near a vehicle designed to resemble a squad car.
According to Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, the man fired at officers, then retreated into the home before fleeing on foot.
Authorities later found the abandoned vehicle on a rural road in Sibley County, about 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis.
Inside were several AK-style firearms, a cowboy hat, and written materials, including a list of approximately 70 individuals.
Officials say the list included state and federal lawmakers, community leaders, abortion rights advocates, and information about healthcare facilities.
Residents in the surrounding area received emergency alerts instructing them to lock their homes and vehicles as law enforcement continued the search.
Also read: What the CIA didn’t want you to know: Unveiling the secrets in the newly released JFK files
Arrest and charges
Boelter was captured in a field after a nearly two-day search involving more than 20 SWAT teams and over 100 law enforcement officers.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, confirmed the suspect acted alone and now faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said, “There’s no question that this is the largest manhunt in the state’s history.”
Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer, using a vehicle modified to look like a squad car.
His family, including his wife, has cooperated with investigators and is not under suspicion.
Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman were among the Minnesota lawmakers targeted in the recent attacks. Image Source: YouTube / CBS News.
Statements and ongoing investigation
Authorities have yet to announce a motive, though individuals familiar with the case said many names on Boelter’s list had publicly supported abortion rights.
Around 6 a.m. Saturday, Boelter texted friends to apologize, writing, “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.”
On Sunday evening, Sen. Amy Klobuchar shared a message from Yvette Hoffman, who thanked the public for their support.
“John is enduring many surgeries right now and is closer every hour to being out of the woods,” Yvette said.
“He took 9 bullet hits. I took 8 and we are both incredibly lucky to be alive. We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark.”
Also read: Shocking twist in CEO murder: Prosecutors seek death penalty for suspect Luigi Mangione
Remembering the victims
Melissa Hortman, 55, was Speaker of the Minnesota House and a longtime Democratic leader.
She most recently held the title of Speaker Emerita following a power-sharing agreement earlier this year.
Hortman had two adult children and was known for her legislative work, including efforts to expand legal protections for abortion access in the state.
Governor Tim Walz called her “the most consequential Speaker in state history.”
Mourners gathered at the Minnesota State Capitol, leaving flowers, flags, and handwritten notes in her memory.
Pam Stein, a retired lawyer who visited the memorial, described Hortman as someone who “had a way of bringing people to the table and getting things done like no one else could do.”
She referred to her as “an absolute powerhouse” and “the real unsung hero of Minnesota government.”
Senator Hoffman, 60, chairs the Senate Human Services Committee.
He and Yvette are recovering after undergoing surgery.
The couple has one adult daughter.
Also read: Tragic home invasion leaves one dead, 13-year-old son calls 911
Community response and safety
Officials ramped up security for public officials across Minnesota following the attack.
Some planned demonstrations were canceled, while others—including a large gathering at the Capitol—went ahead.
Authorities continue reviewing the materials found in Boelter’s possession and are urging the public to stay vigilant as the investigation continues.
Read next: What’s behind Gavin Newsom’s political shift—and what it could mean for 2028
Our thoughts are with the families affected and the wider community during this difficult time, as Minnesotans come together in grief, support, and a shared hope for healing and justice.
