Ex-Walz Appointee Arrested for Killing Democrat Lawmaker [WATCH]

Vance Luther Boelter, a former state appointee in Minnesota, was taken into custody Sunday following a two-day manhunt after being accused of murdering former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and shooting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

Boelter, 57, was apprehended in a rural, wooded area in Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis. Authorities confirmed the arrest came without incident, following a tip and the discovery of his image on a local resident’s trail camera.

Law enforcement agencies, including SWAT teams, drones, and helicopters equipped with infrared surveillance, were involved in tracking the suspect’s movement for over 43 hours.

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“After a two-day manhunt and two sleepless nights, law enforcement have apprehended Vance Boelter,” Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said during a press briefing Sunday evening.

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher said the trail camera provided a crucial lead. “Most of the search had concluded then,” Fletcher stated.

“But the trail cam picture alerted SWAT teams to go to the area, search a perimeter and with the help of drones, identify his location.”

Boelter was located in a field and reportedly crawled toward officers before being taken into custody without the use of force. The arrest was first made public by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office through a Facebook post, which included an image of Boelter in custody.

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“The face of evil,” the caption read.

“After relentless and determined police work, the killer is now in custody.”

According to the criminal complaint, Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Authorities indicated federal charges are also being considered.

The attacks began early Saturday morning around 2 a.m. when Boelter, dressed as a police officer and wearing a Halloween mask, entered Senator Hoffman’s residence in Champlin.

He opened fire, striking both the senator and his wife multiple times. Yvette Hoffman reportedly shielded their daughter, Hope, by jumping on top of her during the shooting, according to a family member. Both victims underwent surgery and are currently in stable condition.

Boelter then traveled to the home of Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park.

The former House Speaker and her husband, Mark, were both shot. Hortman was pronounced dead at the scene, while her husband died shortly after at a local hospital.

Police were already responding to the Hoffman shooting when they confronted Boelter outside Hortman’s residence.

Officers fired at the suspect and briefly cornered him inside the home, but he managed to flee.

Shortly after the shootings, Boelter reportedly sent a text message to his friends.

According to KARE, he wrote, “David and Ron, I love you guys. I made some choices, and you guys don’t know anything about this, but 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.”

How many married fathers of 5 have a ~50ish year old Papa John’s delivery driver for a roommate?

I feel like the number is low

Something feels off with this whole thing https://t.co/sRtqTwtaWv

— Phil Holloway ✈️ (@PhilHollowayEsq) June 15, 2025

Authorities later discovered a “manifesto” in the vehicle Boelter had been driving.

The document reportedly listed approximately 70 names of lawmakers, abortion rights advocates, and clinics believed to be additional targets.

A state official told the Associated Press that lawmakers who supported abortion rights were among those named.

Wanted Minnesota assassin allegedly had HIT LIST of 70 names pic.twitter.com/H0ikHngxND

— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) June 14, 2025

Bob Jacobson, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety, noted that Boelter’s impersonation of law enforcement was particularly alarming.

“Boelter exploited the trust our uniforms are meant to represent,” he said.

“That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility.”

Boelter had previously served on a 60-member state workforce development board alongside Senator Hoffman.

Boelter’s wife, Jenny Boelter, was stopped and detained by authorities on Saturday morning while driving with relatives. Police questioned her and later released her.

Passports and a weapon were recovered from the vehicle.

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The wife of Vance Luther Boelter, Jennifer Boelter, was detained by police for questioning after a traffic stop late Saturday morning near Onamia, Minnesota.

Her husband, Vance Boelter, is… pic.twitter.com/L7j7Lp8nK3

— Kyle Becker (@kylenabecker) June 15, 2025

Governor Walz said the state will pursue justice for the victims. “One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota,” Walz said.

“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.”

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