Minnesota shootings: Suspect Vance Boelter’s religious life in focus as investigators probe motive
Boelter, 57, is suspected of fatally shooting Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, then leading police on a two-day chase in Minnesota
Vance Boelter, 57, who is suspected of fatally shooting Minnesota Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounding Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, has been charged with state and federal crimes.
A two-day manhunt for Boelter, described as the largest in the state’s history, ended with his arrest late on Sunday.
He has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder by the state, which intends to upgrade the counts to first-degree murder. Federal charges include firearm offenses, stalking, and murder, potentially making this a death penalty case. He is being held on $5 million bail and is scheduled to return to court on June 27.
Authorities discovered “voluminous” written material in Boelter's car and home, including plans, lists of names, and surveillance research targeting elected officials.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson stated that Boelter had compiled a list of 45 state and federal elected officials – all Democrats – and had researched their backgrounds and those of their families. On the night of the shootings, Boelter allegedly impersonated a police officer and also visited the homes of two other lawmakers.
Vance Boelter in custody after two-day manhunt in shootings of Minnesota Democratic lawmakers
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How the ‘politically motivated’ shooting of Minnesota lawmakers unleashed right-wing conspiracy theories
Many lawmakers on list of suspected Minnesota shooter vow not to bow down
Ohio congressman confirms he was on target list
Second-term Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman was notified by U.S. Capitol Police that his name was included in the Minnesota murder suspect’s notes.
How the shocking events unfolded
According to court documents, in the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, Vance Luther Boelter put into effect a calculated plan to inflict fear and violence upon Minnesota elected officials and their families. Boelter equipped himself with firearms and body armor, disguised himself as a law enforcement officer, and drove to the home of Senator Hoffman. Boelter knocked on the door repeatedly, claiming to be a police officer. Shortly after the Hoffmans opened the door, they were alarmed to realize Boelter was wearing a facemask. The Hoffmans tried to close the door on Boelter, but Boelter repeatedly shot both Senator and Mrs. Hoffman.
Boelter then traveled to the homes of two other Minnesota elected officials, still disguised as a law enforcement officer. Boelter was unable to make contact with either of those officials or their families.
Next, Boelter drove to the home of Speaker Emerita and Representative Melissa Hortman. Meanwhile, local law enforcement, having heard of the shooting at the Hoffman residence, drove to the Hortman household to conduct a safety check. Upon arriving, officers saw Boelter’s car, a black Ford Explorer SUV, designed to resemble a law enforcement vehicle. It was equipped with police-style lights that were on and flashing. Officers saw Boelter, standing several feet from and facing the front door of the Hortman home. Moments later, Boelter fired several gunshots into the home, repeatedly striking Mr. Hortman. As Boelter did so, he rushed into the home and fired several additional shots, repeatedly striking Representative Hortman. Officers provided medical aid to the Hortmans and attempted to pursue Boelter, who abandoned the SUV and fled, initially, on foot. Both Hortmans died from their wounds.
Law enforcement searched Boelter’s SUV and recovered five firearms, including semi-automatic, assault-style rifles, a large quantity of ammunition, and several notebooks filled with handwritten notations. Those notes listed out the names of dozens of Minnesota state and federal elected officials. The notes often included the home addresses of those officials.
Fourth term El Paso, Texas, Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar was informed by U.S. Capitol Police on Sunday that she was on the Minnesota shooter's list.
Watch: Schumer says highest priority is security for all senators
Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says his highest priority is ensuring the safety of all senators following this weekend’s political assassination and shootings in Minnesota.
“My highest priority right now is working with the Senate leadership on both sides, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police, to ensure everyone's safety. This weekend, I asked Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms to increase the security for members, including Senator Padilla and the Minnesota Senators.”
Michigan Democrat reschedules town hall after name found on shooter's list
Michigan Democratic congresswoman Hillary Scholten has rescheduled a town hall after her name was found on the Minnesota shooter’s list of targets.
Nothing matters more to me than the safety and well-being of the people I serve. After being made aware that my name was on a list connected to the recent tragic shooting in Minnesota, my office has made the difficult decision to postpone our planned town hall in Muskegon.
Open, honest dialogue with West Michigan is at the heart of my service–and I will not be deterred from standing up for this community. Out of an abundance of caution and to not divert additional law enforcement resources away from protecting the broader public at this time, this is the responsible choice.
We will reschedule this event as soon as possible, and I remain committed to ensuring every West Michigander has the opportunity to make their voice heard.
Walz still has not heard from Trump after shootings
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has still not heard from President Donald Trump since this weekend’s shootings.
The governor thanked Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who called to express his condolences.
The View rips Sen. Mike Lee over Minnesota shooter tweets
Tearing into Mike Lee on Monday for his tweets that seemingly blamed the politically motivated shootings of Minnesota lawmakers on “Marxists” and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the hosts of The View said that if the GOP senator had “any other job,” he would “be fired instantly.”
Less than a day after saying he condemned “political violence” following the fatal shooting at a protest in his home state of Utah, Lee took to his personal X account labeled @BasedMikeLee – where he regularly peddles far-right disinformation – to mock the tragedy and point the finger at Democrats and leftists.
Justin Baragona has the story.
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The View rips Mike Lee for Vance Boelter tweets, says he’d ‘be fired’ anywhere else
Democrat leadership writes to Speaker Johnson calling for additional security
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Administration Committee Top Democrat Rep. Joseph Morelle have written to Speaker Mike Johnson calling for additional security for all House members nationwide, following the shooting of Minnesota state lawmakers.
They wrote in part: “That responsibility starts with you. The Speaker of the House has extensive authority over this institution, both administratively and legislatively. We strongly urge you to immediately direct the Sergeant at Arms to take all necessary steps to protect House members throughout the country. At the same time, it is imperative that we substantially increase the Member Representational Allowance (MRA) to support additional safety and security measures in every single office.”
Another Michigan rep says they were on shooter's list
Michigan Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar has revealed that he, too, was on the Minnesota shooter’s list of targets.
Thanedar said in a statement: “There is no place for political violence in a democracy.”
IN FOCUS: How the ‘politically motivated’ shooting of Minnesota lawmakers unleashed right-wing conspiracy theories
Josh Marcus writes:
Police in Minnesota are grappling with two different chases.
The first, most pressing one, is the arrest of Vance L. Boelter, the man suspected of impersonating a police officer and shooting two state lawmakers and their spouses in a “politically motivated” attack on Saturday.
The other is a race to get in front of feverish conspiracy theories about the incident that are spreading across right-wing corners of the internet.
Read on...
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