Alleged Shooter In Lawmakers’ Attack Who Fled Into Woods And Left Target List Now In Custody

A man suspected of murdering Democratic Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark has been apprehended after a two-day manhunt.

Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested in connection with the Hortmans’ murder, and for allegedly shooting Democratic Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.

He is believed to have been located in the woods near his home and surrendered to police.

Boelter is facing two charges of murder in the second-degree, as well as two charges of attempted murder in the second-degree, The Minnesota Star Tribune reports.

He is alleged to have impersonated a police officer in the early hours of Saturday, June 14, and entered the Minnesota home of Senator Hoffman.

Both the senator and his wife Yvette were shot, but their adult daughter managed to call for help at about 2 a.m. and informed the police that a masked man had shot her parents, AP reports.

It is understood Yvette managed to shield her daughter, Hope, from the bullets by throwing herself on top of her.

Emergency services rushed to the scene and the Hoffmans survived the shooting, with both now receiving medical treatment.

Matt Oleg, the Hoffmans’ nephew, told KARE 11 that a bullet narrowly missed Senator Hoffman’s heart, while his wife luckily did not have any organs pierced.

After learning a politician had been attacked, Brooklyn Park Police sent officers to check on Rep. Hortman, who lived around 9 miles away.

They found the front door open and allegedly saw Boelter shooting Mark Hortman, AP reports.

Officers exchanged gunfire with Boelter, but he managed to flee the scene. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside the home, police said.

It sparked the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history after a “manifesto” of around 70 names, including prominent politicians, abortion rights advocates, and community leaders, was found in a fake police car left at the Hortmans’ home.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who described the attacks as targeted and politically motivated, confirmed during a press conference that Boelter had been arrested.

“After a two-day manhunt in which hundreds of law enforcement officials left their families to run into danger and deliver justice for Melissa and Mark Hortman, Vance Boelter has been apprehended,” Walz said in a statement.

“Boelter’s unthinkable actions ended the life of someone who shaped the core of who we are as a state. Someone who was beloved by colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Someone who sacrificed everything for public service.

“As a country we cannot become numb to this violence. We are a deeply divided nation. That has become even more clear over the last two days.”

“The way we move forward and solve the problems facing our nation is not through hate. It is not through violence. It is through humility, and grace, and civility.”

In 2019, Boelter served on the same workforce development advisory board as Senator Hoffman.

He was reappointed to that board by Walz, but sources told The Minnesota Star Tribune that the governor did not know him.

Boelter was first appointed to the board by then-Governor Mark Dayton in 2016, the sources added.

“There's certainly some overlap with some public meetings with Senator Hoffman and the individual, but we don’t know the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other,” Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said in a press conference.

There had been speculation that Walz and Boelter knew each other, with right-wing commentators amplifying unsubstantiated claims about Boelter, including conspiracy theories suggesting Walz was involved.

Elon Musk was among those resharing such claims on social media.

After the shootings, he reshared a post stating the left-wing was behind the attacks, and captioned it: “The far left is murderously violent.”

Part of the post he reshared read: “The left has become a full blown domestic terrorist organization.”

Boelter’s roommate, David Carlson, told reporters that Boelter was a supporter of U.S. President Donald Trump.

Carlson also said that on Saturday morning, Boelter sent him and another person farewell text messages.

“I love you guys. I’ve made some choices, and you guys don’t know anything about this, but I’m going to be gone for a while. I may be dead shortly,” the text read.

“So I just want to let you know that I love you guys both, and wish it hadn’t gone this way. I don’t want to say anything more and implicate you in any way because you guys don’t know anything about this,” the message continued, according to Carlson.

“But I love you guys, and I’m sorry for all the trouble this has caused.”

Walz has now paid tribute to the victims and thanked law enforcement for their tireless efforts to apprehend Boelter.

“To Melissa and Mark’s family: I cannot fathom your pain, your grief. Let us take solace in their memory, in Melissa’s legacy of selfless, pragmatic, gentle public service. The state of Minnesota grieves with you,” he said.

“To John and Yvette: we’re excited to see you at the Capitol, and the bravery you and your daughter Hope showed saved countless lives and will not be forgotten.”

“To our law enforcement officers: thank you for your courage, your service, and your professionalism. You have saved lives,” he added.

“As we heal, we will not let fear win. We must now move forward in Melissa’s honor with understanding, service, and above all, a sense of one other’s humanity.”