Accused gunman identified in focused attacks on Minnesota legislators
Supplemental June 14, 2025, 7:02 PM CDT
A suspect in a chilling incident of political violence has been identified by officials. The suspected perpetrator, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, allegedly targeted two Minnesota lawmakers at their residences, resulting in one unfortunate death and serious injuries to another.
The authorities are yet to apprehend Boelter. They urge residents to dial 911 immediately if they spot him, warning that he might be armed and dangerous. The FBI has even set forth a reward of up to $50,000 for any reliable information on his whereabouts that leads to his arrest and conviction.
Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman, a former speaker of the state House, and her husband, Mark, were brutally gunned down in their home in Brooklyn Park, MN. In a separate, but shockingly close incident, Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in their residence in Champlin, MN. Hoffman is reportedly in stable condition, but there have been no updates on his wife's condition.
Governor Tim Walz expressed his dismay, calling the incident an "unspeakable tragedy." Walz emphasized that peaceful discussion is the cornerstone of democratic values, and we should not resolve our disagreements with violence or lethal means.
Trump made a statement in light of the incident, saying, "Such heinous violence shall never be tolerated in the United States of America."
In the morning, residents living near the crime scenes were instructed to shelter in place, refusing to open their doors for anyone resembling a police officer. Residents were cautioned to confirm with the dispatchers before letting anyone into their homes, and local law enforcement was advised to approach residents in pairs, rather than alone, to ensure safety. The shelter-in-place order has since been lifted.
Protests, previously planned in response to the Trump administration's ambitions for a large-scale military parade, were urged to be postponed due to safety concerns. The Minnesota State Patrol communicated their concern via a public statement, advising the public to avoid the demonstrations.
Authorities discovered flyers with the message "No kings" in Boelter's vehicle, although there has not been any concrete evidence linking the protests to Boelter or his actions. Reports suggest Boelter opened fire on police at Hortman's home when they arrived to inspect the scene, though he escaped at the time.
Since the morning, a massive manhunt has been underway across Minnesota, involving hundreds of law enforcement personnel. Boelter was last spotted in Minneapolis sometime on Saturday morning, donning a light-colored cowboy hat. The motivation behind the attacks remains unknown, but authorities discovered a list of politicians, including Hortman and Hoffman, inside Boelter's vehicle.
At a press conference on Saturday, officials stated that they were investigating claims that Boelter worked for a security firm, potentially enhancing his ability to orchestrate such events. They also raised concerns about his interactions with Hoffman, allegedly crossing paths at public meetings before the shooting.
Boelter served on the Governor's Workforce Development Board from 2016 to 2018 and again from 2019 to early 2023. Records show that he was not affiliated with any political party. In 2016, Boelter encouraged others to vote in what appeared to be a LinkedIn post, expressing his enthusiasm for the election process.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and Democratic U.S. Senator Tina Smith both revealed that their names were among those found on the list inside Boelter's vehicle. Smith stated that she was with Hortman and Hoffman at a Democratic dinner hours prior to the shooting.
Officials at the U.S. Capitol Police have been actively working with federal, state, and local partners to maintain security, while refusing to disclose specific details. U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi is closely monitoring the situation in Minnesota, stressing that the FBI is actively investigating the incident with state and local law enforcement. Bondi insisted that such violence would not be tolerated and would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Separately, Deputy FBI Director Dan Bongino issued a statement, asserting that the FBI was fully engaged in Minnesota's investigation, collaborating with local and state partners.
The legislative session this year in Minnesota was marked by a heated dispute between Republicans and Democrats, with numerous consequences. For the past two years, Democrats controlled the state government, but in January, Republicans claimed a temporary lead. House Democrats responded by boycotting the Capitol, hindering Republicans from obtaining a quorum. Eventually, after court intervention, the two parties negotiated a deal, allowing the Democrats to return to the State House.
- The breaking news of the political violence has swiftly become general-news, with residents urged to stay updated via various news outlets to follow the manhunt for the suspected perpetrator, Vance Boelter.
- As the events of the crime-and-justice case continue to unfold, both Democratic Minnesota state officials and the federal government are expressing their concerns and condemnation of the violent act.
- Politicians across different levels of government, including Governor Tim Walz, Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison, are calling for a peaceful resolution to political disagreements and emphasizing the importance of democratic values in challenging times.
