Manhunt Underway for Suspect in Fatal Shooting of Minnesota Lawmaker


An FBI poster shows images of 57-year-old Vance Luther, the primary suspect involved in the shooting deaths of senior Democratic state assemblywoman Melissa Hortman and her husband, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, U.S., released on June 14, 2025. FBI/Handout via TELLUSUSA.COM. ATTENTION EDITORS - THIS PICTURE WAS PROVIDED BY A THIRD PARTY

HOME I I HI TECH NEWS I SPORTS I CONTACT


	Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the suspected gunman in the shooting deaths of a Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker and her husband, appears in this June 16, 2025 mugshot provided by Hennepin County Sheriff's Office via Tell Us USA News Network.
	Suspect in Minnesota Lawmaker Murders Surrenders After Massive Manhunt A two-day search across Minnesota ended when the gunman accused of killing a former House Speaker and wounding a state senator crawled out of the woods in surrender Li Haung - National-Politics Tell Us USA News Network SIBLEY COUNTY, Minn. — The man accused of murdering former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband while wounding another state lawmaker surrendered to police Sunday night after crawling out of dense woods where officers had cornered him, ending what authorities called the largest manhunt in Minnesota history. Vance Boelter, 45, faces two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder in the targeted attacks that shocked the state and highlighted growing concerns about political violence nationwide. Minnesota's state Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) and state Sen. John Hoffman (D). Hortman and her husband were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park early Saturday, and Hoffman and his wife suffered serious injuries from the shootings. (Minnesota State Legislature Images) The Attacks The violence began early Saturday morning when Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer and attacked two separate households of Democratic lawmakers within hours. The first assault occurred around 2 a.m. at the Champlin home of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Their adult daughter called 911 to report that a masked gunman had shot both parents at their front door. Hours later, Boelter struck again at the Brooklyn Park home of Melissa Hortman, Minnesota's former House Speaker, and her husband Mark. Brooklyn Park police officers, who had been dispatched to check on the Hortmans after learning of the Hoffman shooting, arrived just as Boelter was killing Mark Hortman. Officers exchanged gunfire with the suspect, who fled into the house before escaping the scene. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside. The Manhunt The massive search operation mobilized 20 tactical teams across rural Sibley County, where Boelter lived. Authorities located his abandoned vehicle Sunday and established a wide perimeter after an officer spotted him running into wooded terrain. "This was the largest manhunt in the state's history," said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley. The search involved helicopters, ground teams, and hundreds of officers combing through dense woods for hours before locating Boelter, who surrendered without further violence. Disturbing Evidence Law enforcement sources revealed that investigators found a list of approximately 70 names in writings recovered from Boelter's fake police vehicle. The list included prominent state and federal lawmakers, community leaders, and abortion rights advocates, along with information about healthcare facilities. A Minnesota official confirmed that lawmakers who had publicly supported abortion rights were specifically targeted on the list. Text messages sent by Boelter to friends around 6 a.m. Saturday suggested he knew his actions would have severe consequences: "I'm going to be gone for a while. 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." Political Connections Records show Boelter previously served as a political appointee on the same state workforce development board as Senator Hoffman, though the extent of their relationship remains unclear. Survivors Fighting for Recovery In a statement shared by U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Yvette Hoffman provided an update on their conditions: "John is enduring many surgeries right now and is closer every hour to being out of the woods. 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." State in Mourning Governor Tim Walz addressed the attacks at a news conference following Boelter's arrest: "One man's unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota. This cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences." The Minnesota State Capitol became an impromptu memorial Sunday, with residents leaving flowers, American flags, and handwritten tributes. One mourner called Hortman "an absolute powerhouse" and "the real unsung hero of Minnesota government." The attacks underscore escalating concerns about political violence as lawmakers nationwide face increasing threats, harassment, and intimidation amid deepening political divisions. Drew Evans, superintendent of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, noted that the violence likely would have continued had police not intervened when they did at the Hortman residence. Boelter was booked into Hennepin County Jail early Monday morning. Authorities have not disclosed a specific motive for the targeted killings.