Minnesota Politician Shooting: Suspect Vance Boelter Arrested After Deadly Attack on State Lawmakers

The Deadly Minnesota Politician Shooting Timeline

The Minnesota politician shooting unfolded in a coordinated attack that began in the early morning hours of Saturday, June 14, 2025. The suspect, disguised as a police officer and driving a vehicle equipped with emergency lights, targeted two separate residences in what authorities believe was a premeditated assault on Democratic lawmakers.

First Attack: Senator John Hoffman

The Minnesota politician shooting began around 2:00 AM at the Champlin residence of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Both victims were shot multiple times by the suspect, who authorities believe was wearing a latex mask during the attack. Senator Hoffman’s child made the initial 911 call reporting that their parents had been shot.

Second Attack: Representative Melissa Hortman

Shortly after the first Minnesota politician shooting incident, the suspect proceeded to the Brooklyn Park home of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. This attack proved fatal for both victims, marking a tragic escalation in what appeared to be a targeted campaign against Minnesota Democratic politicians.

Police Confrontation

As officers arrived at Representative Hortman’s residence around 3:35 AM to conduct a welfare check, they encountered the gunman. A firefight ensued between the suspect and law enforcement officers before the perpetrator of the Minnesota politician shooting fled on foot, abandoning his fake police cruiser.

Vance Boelter: Profile of the Minnesota Politician Shooting Suspect

Vance Boelter, the 57-year-old suspect in the Minnesota politician shooting, presents a complex profile of a man with extensive security and military training who turned those skills toward deadly purposes. According to investigators and online records, Boelter was a husband and father who had built a career in private security.

Professional Background

Boelter helped lead Praetorian Guard Security Services, a private security company based in the Twin Cities area. His professional background included what sources describe as “extensive training in security and military operations,” skills that may have contributed to his ability to evade capture for nearly two days during the Minnesota politician shooting manhunt.

The Hit List Discovery

Perhaps most chilling about the Minnesota politician shooting case was the discovery of an alleged target list found in Boelter’s abandoned vehicle. The list reportedly contained dozens of Minnesota Democratic politicians, including:

• Governor Tim Walz
• U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar
• U.S. Senator Tina Smith
• State Attorney General Keith Ellison

This discovery transformed the Minnesota politician shooting from an isolated incident into what authorities now view as part of a broader, planned campaign of political violence.

Victims of the Minnesota Politician Shooting

Representative Melissa Hortman

State Representative Melissa Hortman, who was killed in the Minnesota politician shooting, was a dedicated public servant representing her district in the Minnesota House of Representatives. Her death, along with that of her husband, Mark, has sent shockwaves through the state’s political community.

Senator John Hoffman’s Recovery

Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, the surviving victims of the Minnesota politician shooting, are recovering from their injuries. Friends of the couple told ABC News that both are conscious and out of surgery. Yvette Hoffman is described as “doing reasonably well,” while Senator Hoffman is alert and recovering from a collapsed lung after being shot multiple times.

“Everyone is cautiously optimistic,” one source close to the family reported, providing hope amid the tragedy of the Minnesota politician shooting.

Investigation Details and Evidence

The investigation into the Minnesota politician shooting has yielded crucial evidence that helped law enforcement track down the suspect. Beyond the target list discovered in Boelter’s abandoned police-style vehicle, investigators found additional pieces of evidence that they have not yet disclosed to the public.

Key Evidence

A hat believed to belong to the Minnesota politician shooting suspect was discovered near his vehicle, which ultimately led authorities to believe Boelter was in the Green Isle area. This discovery proved crucial in narrowing the search parameters during the final phase of the manhunt.

Federal Involvement

The FBI offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter’s arrest in the Minnesota politician shooting case. Federal authorities issued a warrant for illegal flight to avoid prosecution, while state authorities issued their own warrant for the alleged crimes.

Law Enforcement Response

The response to the Minnesota politician’s shooting demonstrated unprecedented coordination between multiple law enforcement agencies. Governor Tim Walz praised the collaborative effort during Sunday evening’s press conference, stating, “This is a great example of coordination and collaboration” in response to what he called “one man’s unthinkable actions that have altered the state of Minnesota.”

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, confirmed that authorities were investigating whether Boelter received any assistance while evading capture. “All options are on the table,” Evans stated during the investigation into the Minnesota politician’s shooting.

Multi-Agency Effort

The Minnesota politician shooting investigation involved:

• Minnesota State Patrol
• Bureau of Criminal Apprehension
• FBI
• Local law enforcement agencies

• Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office

Political Impact and Security Concerns

The Minnesota politician’s shooting has raised serious questions about the security of elected officials and the climate of political violence in America. The discovery of the extensive target list suggests that this incident could have been far more devastating had the suspect not been captured.

Security Protocol Review

In the wake of the Minnesota politician shooting, state officials are likely to review security protocols for elected representatives. The fact that the suspect was able to approach victims’ homes while impersonating a police officer highlights potential vulnerabilities in current security arrangements.

Political Climate Concerns

The Minnesota politician shooting occurs against a backdrop of increased threats against public officials nationwide. The targeting of Democratic lawmakers specifically, as evidenced by the suspect’s target list, reflects the concerning trend of politically motivated violence.Community Response

The Minnesota political community has rallied in response to the tragic Minnesota politician shooting. A makeshift memorial for Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark has been established at the state Capitol in St. Paul, where community members continue to leave flowers and pay their respects.

Ongoing Support

Friends, colleagues, and constituents have expressed their support for the victims of the Minnesota politician shooting and their families. The political community has emphasized the need for unity and healing in the aftermath of this unprecedented attack on Minnesota’s democratic institutions.Investigation Continues

While Boelter’s arrest marks the end of the immediate manhunt phase of the Minnesota politician shooting case, investigators continue their work to understand the full scope of the suspect’s plans and determine whether he had any accomplices or a support network. The Minnesota politician shooting serves as a stark reminder of the threats facing public servants and the importance of protecting democratic institutions from those who would use violence to silence opposing voices.

This is a developing story about the Minnesota politician’s shooting. Check back for updates as more information becomes available.