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Search ends as man suspected of shooting Minnesota lawmakers surrenders to police

Search ends as man suspected of shooting Minnesota lawmakers surrenders to police
One man's unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota. The intense search for Vance Belter coming to an end in the woods in rural Sibley County, Minnesota. The suspect crawled to law enforcement teams and was placed under arrest at that point in time. Belter on the run for roughly 43 hours after authorities say he killed State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Saturday at their Brooklyn Park home. The suspected gunman then attacked State Senator John Hoffman and his wife at. House in nearby Champlain both survived. I'm very proud to tell you that we took the suspect into custody who was responsible for this. Police calling the manhunt the largest in state history, involving hundreds of detectives and 20 different SWAT teams. Their quick action may have prevented more attacks. If that had not happened, I have every confidence that this would have continued throughout the day. Governor Tim Watts praising law enforcement for their efforts to capture Bulter while honoring Representative Hortman. Melissa Hort. Was the core of who our values were promising justice for the victims of this political violence. And you can rest assured that we will put every ounce of effort that the state of Minnesota has to make sure that justice is served and the individual responsible for this serves the time. For the unspeakable act.
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Updated: 5:38 AM CDT Jun 16, 2025
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Search ends as man suspected of shooting Minnesota lawmakers surrenders to police
AP logo
Updated: 5:38 AM CDT Jun 16, 2025
Editorial Standards 鈸�
The man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another crawled to officers in surrender Sunday after they located him in the woods near his home, bringing an end to a massive, nearly two-day search that put the entire state on edge.Vance Boelter was arrested and charged with two counts of murder and two of attempted murder. He is accused of posing as a police officer and fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.Authorities say he also shot Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette. They were injured at their residence about 9 miles away.鈥淥ne man鈥檚 unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota,鈥� Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said at a news conference after Boelter's arrest.The search for Boelter was the 鈥渓argest manhunt in the state's history,鈥� Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. It began when Brooklyn Park officers went to check on Hortman's home and saw her husband gunned down before the shooter fled. Authorities on Sunday located a vehicle Boelter was using abandoned in rural Sibley County, where he lived, and a police officer reported that he believed he saw Boelter running into the woods, Bruley said. Police set up a large perimeter and called in 20 different tactical teams, divvying up the area and searching for him.During the search, police said they received information confirming someone was in the woods and searched for hours, using a helicopter and officers on foot, until they found Boelter. He surrendered to police, crawling out to officers in the woods before he was handcuffed and taken into custody in a field, authorities said.Jail records show Boelter was booked into the Hennepin County Jail at 1:02 a.m. Central Time Monday and include two mug shots, one from the front and one from the side, of Boelter wearing an orange prison shirt.A targeted attackDrew Evans, superintendent of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said the violence likely would've continued had Brooklyn Park offices not checked on Hortman's home, causing Boelter to flee.The Hoffmans were attacked first at their home in Champin early Saturday. A criminal complaint unsealed after Boelter's arrest indicated their adult daughter called 911 just after 2 a.m. to say a masked person had come to the door and shot her parents.After police in nearby Brooklyn Park learned that a lawmaker had been shot, they sent patrol officers to check on the Hortmans鈥� home.Brooklyn Park police officers arrived just in time to see Boelter shoot Mark Hortman through the open door of the home, the complaint says. It says they exchanged gunfire with Boelter, who fled inside the home before escaping the scene. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside, the complaint said.Authorities said Boelter posed as a police officer, even allegedly altering a vehicle to make it look like a police car. No details on motiveAuthorities did not give a motive as they announced Boelter's arrest.A list of about 70 names was found in writings recovered from the fake police vehicle that was left at the crime scene, said two law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation. The writings and list of names included prominent state and federal lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about healthcare facilities, according to the officials.A Minnesota official told AP lawmakers who had been outspoken in favor of abortion rights were on the list. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other.Around 6 a.m. Saturday, Boelter texted friends to apologize for his actions, though he didn't say what he had done.鈥淚鈥檓 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鈥檛 gone this way," he wrote in messages viewed by AP. No details on motiveAuthorities have not yet given details on a motive.A list of about 70 names was found in writings recovered from the fake police vehicle that was left at the crime scene, the officials said. The writings and list of names included prominent state and federal lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about health care facilities, according to the officials.Evans clarified that while he described the materials on Saturday as a 鈥渕anifesto,鈥� the papers were not a political or ideological treatise. He said it was more of a notebook, listing lawmakers and other people, with various thoughts mixed in. He declined to give details.A Minnesota official told AP lawmakers who had been outspoken in favor of abortion rights were on the list. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.The attacks prompted warnings to other state elected officials and the cancellation of planned 鈥淣o Kings鈥� demonstrations against President Donald Trump, though some went ahead anyway, including one that drew tens of thousands to the State Capitol in St. Paul. Authorities said the suspect had 鈥淣o Kings鈥� flyers in his car.Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other.Around 6 a.m. Saturday, Boelter texted friends to apologize for his actions, though he didn't say what he had done.鈥淚鈥檓 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鈥檛 gone this way. 鈥� I鈥檓 sorry for all the trouble this has caused," he wrote in messages viewed by AP.An escalation in political violenceThe shootings come as political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions. Lawmakers said they were disturbed by the attacks as Twin Cities residents mourned.鈥淭his cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences,鈥� Walz said Sunday.On Sunday evening, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar shared a statement from Yvette Hoffman expressing appreciation for the outpouring of public support.鈥淛ohn is enduring many surgeries right now and is closer every hour to being out of the woods,鈥� Yvette Hoffman said in a text that Klobuchar posted on social media. 鈥淗e 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.鈥滲rightly colored flowers and small American flags were placed Sunday on the gray marbled stone of the Minnesota State Capitol along with a photo of the Hortmans. People scrawled messages on small notes including, 鈥淵ou were our leader through the hardest of times. Rest in Power.鈥漃am Stein came with flowers and kneeled by the memorial. An emotional Stein called Hortman an 鈥渁bsolute powerhouse鈥� and 鈥渢he real unsung hero of Minnesota government.鈥�

The man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another crawled to officers in surrender Sunday after they located him in the woods near his home, bringing an end to a massive, nearly two-day search that put the entire state on edge.

Vance Boelter was arrested and charged with two counts of murder and two of attempted murder. He is accused of posing as a police officer and fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.

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Authorities say he also shot Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette. They were injured at their residence about 9 miles away.

鈥淥ne man鈥檚 unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota,鈥� Democratic Gov. Tim Walz said at a news conference after Boelter's arrest.

The search for Boelter was the 鈥渓argest manhunt in the state's history,鈥� Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. It began when Brooklyn Park officers went to check on Hortman's home and saw her husband gunned down before the shooter fled.

Authorities on Sunday located a vehicle Boelter was using abandoned in rural Sibley County, where he lived, and a police officer reported that he believed he saw Boelter running into the woods, Bruley said. Police set up a large perimeter and called in 20 different tactical teams, divvying up the area and searching for him.

During the search, police said they received information confirming someone was in the woods and searched for hours, using a helicopter and officers on foot, until they found Boelter. He surrendered to police, crawling out to officers in the woods before he was handcuffed and taken into custody in a field, authorities said.

Jail records show Boelter was booked into the Hennepin County Jail at 1:02 a.m. Central Time Monday and include two mug shots, one from the front and one from the side, of Boelter wearing an orange prison shirt.

This photo made available by the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office shows Vance Luther Boelter, the man accused of assassinating the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, as he was arrested late Sunday, June 15, 2025.
Ramsey County Sheriff's Office
This photo made available by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office shows Vance Luther Boelter, the man accused of assassinating the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, as he was arrested late Sunday, June 15, 2025.

A targeted attack

Drew Evans, superintendent of the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said the violence likely would've continued had Brooklyn Park offices not checked on Hortman's home, causing Boelter to flee.

The Hoffmans were attacked first at their home in Champin early Saturday. A criminal complaint unsealed after Boelter's arrest indicated their adult daughter called 911 just after 2 a.m. to say a masked person had come to the door and shot her parents.

After police in nearby Brooklyn Park learned that a lawmaker had been shot, they sent patrol officers to check on the Hortmans鈥� home.

Brooklyn Park police officers arrived just in time to see Boelter shoot Mark Hortman through the open door of the home, the complaint says. It says they exchanged gunfire with Boelter, who fled inside the home before escaping the scene. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside, the complaint said.

Authorities said Boelter posed as a police officer, even allegedly altering a vehicle to make it look like a police car.

Claire Stein places flowers at a makeshift memorial for Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at the state Capitol, Sunday, June 15, 2025.
George Walker IV
Claire Stein places flowers at a makeshift memorial for Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at the state Capitol, Sunday, June 15, 2025.

No details on motive

Authorities did not give a motive as they announced Boelter's arrest.

A list of about 70 names was found in writings recovered from the fake police vehicle that was left at the crime scene, said two law enforcement officials who spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss details of the ongoing investigation. The writings and list of names included prominent state and federal lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about healthcare facilities, according to the officials.

A Minnesota official told AP lawmakers who had been outspoken in favor of abortion rights were on the list. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other.

Around 6 a.m. Saturday, Boelter texted friends to apologize for his actions, though he didn't say what he had done.

鈥淚鈥檓 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鈥檛 gone this way," he wrote in messages viewed by AP.

No details on motive

Authorities have not yet given details on a motive.

A list of about 70 names was found in writings recovered from the fake police vehicle that was left at the crime scene, the officials said. The writings and list of names included prominent state and federal lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about health care facilities, according to the officials.

Evans clarified that while he described the materials on Saturday as a 鈥渕anifesto,鈥� the papers were not a political or ideological treatise. He said it was more of a notebook, listing lawmakers and other people, with various thoughts mixed in. He declined to give details.

A Minnesota official told AP lawmakers who had been outspoken in favor of abortion rights were on the list. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing.

The attacks prompted warnings to other state elected officials and the cancellation of planned against President Donald Trump, though some went ahead anyway, including one that drew tens of thousands to the State Capitol in St. Paul. Authorities said the suspect had 鈥淣o Kings鈥� flyers in his car.

Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other.

Around 6 a.m. Saturday, Boelter texted friends to apologize for his actions, though he didn't say what he had done.

鈥淚鈥檓 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鈥檛 gone this way. 鈥� I鈥檓 sorry for all the trouble this has caused," he wrote in messages viewed by AP.

An escalation in political violence

The shootings come as political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions. Lawmakers said they were disturbed by the attacks as Twin Cities residents mourned.

鈥淭his cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences,鈥� Walz said Sunday.

On Sunday evening, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar shared a statement from Yvette Hoffman expressing appreciation for the outpouring of public support.

鈥淛ohn is enduring many surgeries right now and is closer every hour to being out of the woods,鈥� Yvette Hoffman said in a on social media. 鈥淗e 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.鈥�

Brightly colored flowers and small American flags were placed Sunday on the gray marbled stone of the Minnesota State Capitol along with a photo of the Hortmans. People scrawled messages on small notes including, 鈥淵ou were our leader through the hardest of times. Rest in Power.鈥�

Pam Stein came with flowers and kneeled by the memorial. An emotional Stein called Hortman an 鈥渁bsolute powerhouse鈥� and 鈥渢he real unsung hero of Minnesota government.鈥�