June 2025 was supposed to be a quiet start to the summer in the Twin Cities. Instead, it became the backdrop for what investigators now call the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history. At the center of it was a man who, on paper, looked like a pillar of the community: a 57-year-old PhD, a former state board appointee, and a deeply religious father of five.
His name is Vance Luther Boelter.
Most people find the story hard to swallow. It’s too cinematic. A "hyper-realistic" silicone mask. A fake police SUV with flashing lights. A handwritten hit list of 45 elected officials. It sounds like a script for a low-budget political thriller, but for the families of Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, it was a waking nightmare that unfolded in the early morning hours of June 14.
The Night of Terror: A Timeline of the Attacks
Honestly, the premeditation involved here is what keeps law enforcement up at night. This wasn't a snap decision. According to federal indictments, Vance Luther Boelter 57 had been conducting surveillance on his targets for months. He used internet search engines to find home addresses and kept meticulous notebooks on the movements of Minnesota’s Democratic leadership.
Around 2:00 a.m. on that Saturday, Boelter arrived at the Champlin home of State Senator John Hoffman. He wasn't just some guy in a hoodie. He was dressed in a tactical vest with a gold badge, carrying a flashlight and a 9mm handgun. He knocked and shouted, "This is police!"
When the Hoffmans opened the door, things turned weird fast. Senator Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, noticed something was off about the man’s face—it was a silicone mask. Realizing the danger, they tried to shut the door. Boelter opened fire, striking both the Senator and his wife multiple times. He even attempted to shoot their adult daughter, Hope, before fleeing the scene.
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But he wasn't done. Not even close.
Roughly 90 minutes later, he showed up at the Brooklyn Park home of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. The pattern repeated. He killed Mark Hortman, Melissa’s husband, before turning the weapon on the Representative herself. By the time Brooklyn Park police arrived—responding to a welfare check triggered by the earlier shooting—they actually saw Boelter and exchanged gunfire with him. He managed to slip away into the night, sparking a search that would eventually involve over 20 SWAT teams and the FBI.
Who Exactly is Vance Luther Boelter?
This is where the story gets really complicated. You’ve got a guy who isn't your "typical" suspect. Boelter was 57. He had a master’s degree and a doctorate in leadership studies from Cardinal Stritch University. He had been appointed to the Governor’s Workforce Development Board by two different governors.
Basically, he was a guy who knew his way around the halls of power.
- Professional Background: He spent decades in management for big food companies like Del Monte and Nestle.
- The "Secret" Life: He claimed to have extensive military and private security training, though journalists later found no official record of him serving in the armed forces.
- The Congo Venture: He started a company called Red Lion Group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Friends say he sank a lot of money into a fishing and farming project there that eventually fell apart, possibly due to local "mafia" interference.
- Religious Ties: He was a graduate of Christ For The Nations Institute and often preached, even during his business trips to Africa.
His friends were blindsided. One lifelong friend, who shared a rental house with Boelter in North Minneapolis, described him as "friendly" and "upbeat," though he admitted Boelter had seemed down lately. Financial stress from the failed Congo business and a crumbling marriage (his wife, Jenny, has since filed for divorce) appeared to be pushing him toward a breaking point.
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The Manhunt and the Capture in Green Isle
The 36 hours following the shootings were pure chaos for Minnesota. The FBI put Boelter on its Most-Wanted list and offered a $50,000 reward. Residents were told to stay inside.
He didn't go far. On Sunday night, a resident in rural Green Isle—about 50 miles southwest of the Twin Cities—checked their trail camera and saw a figure that looked like the suspect.
Police swarmed the area. They found Boelter’s abandoned Buick sedan on a highway. Inside was a cowboy hat and a "confession" letter addressed to the FBI, signed "Dr. Vance Luther Boelter." Eventually, they tracked him to a field just a mile from his own home. He crawled out of the brush and surrendered without a fight.
When they searched his SUV, it looked like a small armory. Three AK-47 assault rifles. A 9mm handgun. Piles of ammunition. And that list—the names of 45 public officials he allegedly intended to target.
Why Does This Matter Now?
The case against Vance Luther Boelter 57 is currently moving through both state and federal courts. He faces charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder at the state level, but the federal charges for stalking and murder could potentially carry the death penalty.
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The motive is still being picked apart by investigators. While his notebooks contained names of "pro-choice individuals," the U.S. Attorney’s office has been careful not to pin it on a single ideology, though they’ve called it a "calculated plan to inflict fear and violence upon elected officials."
It’s a stark reminder of how quickly the line between "disgruntled citizen" and "active threat" can blur. Boelter was a man who felt he was "going to war," as he texted his family on the morning of the shootings.
Actionable Insights and Next Steps:
For those following the legal proceedings or concerned about public safety in the wake of such events, here is how things stand:
- Monitor Court Filings: The federal case in the District of Minnesota (Case No: 27-CR-25-14999) is the one to watch for new evidence regarding his motives and the digital trail he left behind.
- State Legislative Changes: Expect to see renewed debates in the Minnesota Legislature regarding the protection of public officials' home addresses and personal data.
- Support for Victims: The families of the Hortmans and the Hoffmans have set up several memorial and recovery funds; staying updated through local news outlets like MPR or the Star Tribune will provide verified ways to help.
- Security Awareness: This case highlighted the danger of "uniform exploitation." If someone claiming to be law enforcement arrives at your home unexpectedly, especially in an unmarked vehicle or at an odd hour, you are well within your rights to call 911 to verify their identity before opening the door.
The legal process for a case of this magnitude will likely take years. As of early 2026, Boelter remains in custody without bail as the prosecution decides whether to officially seek the death penalty.