Manhunt Intensifies for Vance Luther Boelter After Shooting Kills Rep. Melissa Hortman in Targeted Attack on Minnesota Democrats

Suspect Sought After Deadly Attack on Minnesota Lawmakers

People are on edge across Minnesota after an overnight rampage left state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, dead, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, badly wounded. The man authorities say is responsible—Vance Luther Boelter, 57—is now the focus of an urgent manhunt stretching across the Twin Cities area and beyond.

The chaos began just after 2 a.m. Saturday. Hoffman and Yvette were the first victims, ambushed at their Champlin home and struck by multiple gunshots. Minutes later, in Brooklyn Park, a similar violent scene unfolded: Rep. Hortman and her husband were gunned down. By the time police arrived, the shooter was already on the run. Officers managed to catch a glimpse of a man—later confirmed to be Boelter—dressed as a police officer and fleeing from the Hortman residence. Gunfire broke out between Boelter and law enforcement, but he got away under the cover of darkness.

Boelter is described as a white male, 6-foot-1, around 220 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. At last sighting, he was wearing a light-colored cowboy hat and was equipped with a dark bag, light pants, and a dark, long-sleeved shirt. Police immediately warned the public that Boelter is armed and extremely dangerous. There’s a terrifying twist—he may be impersonating a police officer, which raises big concerns about potential confrontations, especially at traffic stops or doorsteps.

Attack Appeared Planned, Fueled by Extremism

Near the scene at Rep. Hortman’s house, officers discovered something chilling: a car disguised to look like a police cruiser, outfitted with flashing lights and official-looking markings. Inside, police found a “kill list” naming Minnesota’s top Democrats. Alongside Hortman and Hoffman, the list included Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, and state Attorney General Keith Ellison. That discovery triggered fears that this wasn’t a one-off act, but part of a broader, coordinated effort targeting Minnesota’s Democratic leadership.

Boelter’s motivations are under intense investigation. Authorities have found hints that he was driven by strong anti-abortion sentiments and may have held other far-right extremist beliefs. That theory is only fueling concerns among lawmakers and community members, especially given the national climate of politically motivated violence.

In response, Brooklyn Park issued a shelter-in-place order for neighborhoods near Edinburgh Golf Course—telling residents to stay inside, lock doors and windows, and avoid interacting with anyone who seemed suspicious. State and local authorities raced to secure the homes and workplaces of those on Boelter’s alleged target list, while investigators spread across the metro, pouring over security footage and interviewing witnesses in the hope of finding a break in the case.

Gov. Tim Walz called the attacks an affront to Minnesota’s values. Standing before reporters at the Capitol early Saturday, he said, “We will not allow violence to define our politics here. Every resource will be used until Vance Luther Boelter is in custody.” The governor urged all Minnesotans to stay alert, report anything suspicious, and keep clear of anyone matching Boelter’s description—especially if the person claims to be law enforcement.

The broader community has been left reeling by the tragedy. Neighbors spoke in hushed tones on closed social media groups, sharing advice and rumors. Meanwhile, political leaders scrambled to assess security, postponing public events and increasing protective measures for officials.

This is a stark reminder of how political tensions, when stoked and left unchecked, can turn deadly. With Boelter still at large, many in Minnesota have found themselves constantly on edge, tracking every update and looking out for any sign of the fugitive. As the manhunt drags on, the fear is palpable—but so is the determination of law enforcement to catch the person at the center of this shocking act.