Vance Luther Boelter, a former Minnesota state appointee turned suspected political assassin, has been captured following what officials are calling the largest manhunt in state history.
The 57-year-old stands accused of fatally gunning down former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, as well as shooting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.
He was arrested in a rural field in Sibley County after a 43-hour search that utilized helicopters, infrared drones, and over 200 officers, per the New York Post.
“After a two-day manhunt and two sleepless nights, law enforcement have apprehended Vance Boelter,” Governor Tim Walz announced, calling the ordeal “an unspeakable tragedy” and “a politically motivated assassination.”
The horror began shortly after 2:00AM on Saturday, when Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer and showed up at Senator Hoffman’s Champlin home.
Disguised in a full uniform, complete with a badge, vest, Taser, and even flashing police lights on a faux squad car, Boelter opened fire, hitting both Hoffman and his wife multiple times.
In a heroic move, Yvette reportedly threw herself over their daughter Hope, shielding her from the bullets.
"The daughter Hope, who I believe is in her mid-twenties, was at home with her parents, and Yvette threw herself on top of her daughter," KARE 11's A.J. Lagoe revealed after speaking with Hoffman's nephew, Matt Oleg.
Lagoe added that Hope "was not hit" by gunfire.
The couple survived emergency surgery and remain in stable condition.
Minutes later, Boelter drove to the home of former Democratic Speaker Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park.
Inside, the 55-year-old lawmaker and her husband, Mark, were gunned down. Melissa died at the scene; Mark succumbed to his injuries at a nearby hospital.
When police arrived - alerted by the earlier attack - they encountered the masked gunman and exchanged fire. Though briefly cornered, Boelter fled on foot, sparking a manhunt that would grip the state for nearly two days.
Boelter was finally caught after passing a trail camera in a rural area, triggering a tactical response from SWAT teams.
“Most of the search had concluded then,” Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher explained. “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.”
He was found crawling in a field and surrendered without force.
His arrest brought a swift reaction.
“The face of evil,” the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office posted alongside a photo of Boelter in custody. “After relentless and determined police work, the killer is now in custody. Thanks to the dedication of multiple agencies working together along with support from the community, justice is one step closer.”
Authorities say Boelter had a chilling hit list of nearly 70 names, which included lawmakers, abortion rights advocates, doctors, and community leaders.
Inside his abandoned vehicle, investigators found a “manifesto,” “No Kings” flyers, and evidence of a broader extremist plan. A state official told the Associated Press that those who supported abortion rights were reportedly among his intended targets.
“He didn’t like abortion,” Boelter’s lifelong friend David Carlson confirmed. “He was a Trump supporter. He voted for Trump. He liked Trump. I like Trump.”
Carlson added that while Boelter had conservative views, he didn’t seem overtly political. Yet the mixed signals, including anti-Trump flyers found in his car, suggest deeper ideological rage.
Boelter is now facing two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, with the potential for additional federal charges.
His wife, Jenny Boelter, was briefly detained and questioned after police found passports and a weapon in her vehicle. She has since been released.