Alleged Minnesota Assassin Vance Boelter in Custody

Minnesota governor Tim Walz confirmed the arrest of Vance Boelter, 57, in Sibley County during a public safety briefing Sunday night, ending the nearly two-day manhunt for the suspect in the targeted shooting of two Democratic state lawmakers early Saturday morning.

Authorities reported it took 43 hours to capture an armed Boelter following the Saturday morning attacks. The arrest concluded a statewide search that involved over 100 law enforcement officers and prompted emergency alerts across Minnesota’s Twin Cities region.

Why It Matters

Minnesota Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were pronounced dead Saturday morning after a gunman posing as law enforcement arrived at their home in the early hours and shot them.

The gunman had targeted the home of another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, shortly before the attack on the Hortmans. Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot multiple times and underwent surgery.

Governor Walz called the shooting “a politically motivated assassination.”

What To Know

Senator Hoffman is now out of his final surgery and “moving towards recovery,” Governor Walz confirmed Sunday during the press conference. Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot at their Champlin residence approximately nine miles from where Hortman and her husband were killed in Brooklyn Park.

Boelter was arrested in Green Isle, the city where he lived, after what Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley described as the “largest manhunt in the state’s history.” The search involved hundreds of detectives and 20 different SWAT teams across multiple agencies, including the Fedeal Bureau of Investigations (FBI). Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (AATF) and U.S. Marshals Service.

“The suspect crawled to law enforcement teams and was placed under arrest at that point in time,” Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger said. No law enforcement officers were injured during Boelter’s arrest.

Authorities discovered a list of approximately 70 names in materials recovered from Boelter’s fake police vehicle, including prominent state and federal lawmakers, community leaders, and abortion rights advocates. While initially described as a “manifesto,” officials later clarified the materials were more akin to a notebook containing names and various thoughts.

Drew Evans, superintendent at the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, credited Brooklyn Park police officers’ proactive decision to check on Hoffman’s home with preventing further attacks. “I have every confidence that this would’ve continued throughout the day,” Evans said about the Saturday attacks.

Boelter had previously served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, though the extent of their relationship remains unclear. Hours after the attacks, Boelter sent apologetic text messages to friends, writing: “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.”

Chief Bruley encouraged community members to continue providing information to “complete the investigation” as authorities work to understand the full scope of Boelter’s plans and motivations.

The FBI previously offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter’s arrest and conviction, circulating photographs of him wearing a distinctive tan cowboy hat found near his abandoned vehicle.

What People Are Saying

Minnesota governor Tim Walz during the public safety briefing confirming Boelter’s arrest on Sunday: “After a 2-day manhunt, sleepless nights law enforcement has apprehended Vance Boelter. Law enforcement was involved in a complex and dangerous manhunt spent and Father’s Day away from their families to deliver justice for Melissa and Mark Hortman, and their children.”

He added: “One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota.”

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley told reporters on Sunday that the chase to capture Vance Boelter was the: “Largest manhunt in the state’s history.”

Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger said Boelter was arrested in the city of Green Isle: “The suspect crawled to law enforcement teams and was placed under arrest at that point in time.”

Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office’s Facebook post following the arrest: “The face of evil. 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.”

Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth said in a statement on Sunday that she’s: “Grateful that this nightmare has come to an end with the suspected murderer captured alive so he can be charged, prosecuted, and punished for the horror he has wrought on our state.”

Minnesota Senator Amy Klobuchar on X: “Thank you to all in law enforcement who worked relentlessly to locate and arrest this suspect. It was a mammoth and heroic effort.”

What Happens Next

Authorities continue investigating Boelter’s motives and the full scope of his plans. Boelter is believed to have acted alone in his alleged shooting, authorities said.

“We will be exploring if there are any broader networks. We have not uncovered any of that at this time,” Evans told reporters on Sunday.

The investigation involves multiple law enforcement agencies and remains active as officials work to understand the connections between the targeted individuals.

Update 5/15/25, 12:35 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with additional information and comment.

Update 5/15/25, 11:14 p.m. ET: This article has been updated with a new image.