Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed, while state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were critically injured.

Boelter, 57, was last seen in Minneapolis on Saturday morning and should be considered armed and dangerous, police said. He is about 6-foot-1 and 220 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes, and was thought to be working to leave the Twin Cities area. Images of Boelter captured Saturday morning show him wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, dark long-sleeved shirt or jacket, light-colored pants and dark sneakers.

Anyone with information about these shootings or Boelter’s location should call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) tip line at 877-996-6222 or email [email protected]. The public is asked to call 911 immediately if they see Boelter. Do not approach him. The FBI, BCA, Brooklyn Park Police Department and Champlin Police Department along with other local and state law enforcement officials continue searching for Boelter.  More information, including photos and Boelter’s description, are in the FBI flyer. 

June 14, 2025

2:00 a.m. – Champlin, MN

• Vance Boelter arrives at Senator John Hoffman’s home in Champlin, MN, wearing a mask and police-style vest. He knocks and yells, “This is the police. Open the door.” Boelter tells the Hoffmans there was a shooting reported and asks about firearms. Senator Hoffman says they have guns but they are locked up. Mrs. Hoffman notices Boelter is wearing a mask. The couple tells him he is not a real officer. Boelter replies, “This is a robbery.” Senator Hoffman tries to push Boelter out; Boelter shoots him multiple times. Mrs. Hoffman attempts to shut the door but is also shot repeatedly.

2:06 a.m. – Champlin, Minnesota

• Champlin Police respond to a 911 call from Senator Hoffman’s daughter, reporting that her parents had been shot.
• The caller states a masked man claiming to be a police officer knocked on their door and then shot their parents.
• Officers find two gunshot victims inside:
• Victim 3: Male, a Minnesota state legislator
• Victim 4: Female, spouse of Victim 3
• Both are critically injured and hospitalized but alive.
• Surveillance footage shows:
• A Ford SUV with police-style lights in the driveway.
• A man, later identified as Vance Boelter, wearing a mask, blue shirt, tactical vest, and carrying a yellow-gripped gun, knocks on the door and announces himself as a police officer before entering and shooting.
• Boelter flees in the police-style SUV.

2:24 a.m. – Maple Grove:

• Boelter rings doorbell at the home of Public Official 1 wearing tactical gear and announces a fake warrant. While ringing the doo1·bell, Boelter loudly said, “This is the police. Open the door’. This is the police. We have a warrant.” He repeated the command several times. Nobody is home. Boelter left the residence

2:36 a.m. – New Hope:

• Police unknowingly encounter Boelter sitting silently in a black SUV near Public Official 2’s home. They mistake him for another officer.

3:35 a.m. – Brooklyn Park, MN 9 miles away

• Police, aware a state legislator was attacked in Champlin, proactively send units to protect other lawmakers.
• Upon arrival at the residence of a second legislator:
• Officers observe the same Ford SUV parked.
• They witness Boelter, still dressed as a police officer, shoot a man (Victim 2) through the open front door. Boelter fired those shots as he moved into the house, a second set of gunshots can be heard. At the same time, several flashes appear in the entryway windows.
• A gunfire exchange ensues between officers and Boelter.
• Inside, officers find:
• Victim 2: Male, deceased.
• Victim 1: Female, also deceased and a state legislator.
• Boelter fled the Hortmans’ home, leaving behind his 2015 Ford Explorer SUV that was parked outside the house. Officers found evidence tying Boelter to the SUV, including a bill for a storage unit with Boelter’s name. Officers also found the license plates for the SUV Boelter drove that night. Public records show the SUV is registered to Boelter and his wife.

5:30 a.m. – Brooklyn Park

• A shelter-in-place is issued near Edinburgh Golf Course due to the active manhunt. Source

6:00 a.m. – Minneapolis

• Boelter appears at his rented room in north Minneapolis; texts a roommate: “I may be dead shortly.”
• He leaves the residence before police arrive. Source

6:18 am: Text Messages:

• Vance Boelter sent a group text message to his family. In that text, Boelter wrote, among other things: “I don’t wanna say more because I don’t wanna implicate anybody.”
• Next, Boelter texts his wife Jennifer Boelter, “Dad went to war last night…” and warns her that armed law enforcement may come.

7:00 a.m.: Bus Stop

• Boelter meets a man at a bus stop, buys e-bike and Buick sedan, withdraws $2,200 from U.S. Bank (caught on surveillance in cowboy hat).

Morning between 10:30 am. – 11:00 am. – Onamia, MN

• Boelter’s wife is stopped during a traffic check with relatives. A searched vehicle reveals 2 handguns, $10,000 cash, and passports. Passports and cash are seized; she’s questioned but released.

Our law enforcement partners from the metro that are working this case became aware that she was traveling through my county, and they requested assistance in locating and stopping a vehicle,” Sheriff Kyle Burton said, referring to Boelter’s wife, Jenny Boelter.

Burton said the stop occurred between 10:30 and 11 a.m. outside the Casey’s convenience store just off Hwy. 169 in Onamia, about 110 miles north of the Boelters’ home near Green Isle.  Source

1:00 p.m. – Statewide

• Officials name Vance Luther Boelter, 57, as the prime suspect. Source

1:30 p.m. – Champlin

• Police clear the Hoffman residence, completing their on-site investigation.

1:45 p.m. – Minneapolis

• A search warrant is executed at Boelter’s part-time rental home in Minneapolis. Source
• Boelter had vehicles at the home, and broke out one of the windows, but it’s not clear if he left the area in one of the vehicles. Authorities say the image of him wearing a cowboy hat is from surveillance cameras at the Minneapolis home. Source

2:00 p.m. – Green Isle, MN

• Tactical units deploy to Boelter’s primary residence as authorities intensify the manhunt. Source

3:00 p.m.

• Boelter is officially labeled a “person of interest” and suspect by law enforcement. Source

3:03 p.m. – St. Paul

• Gov. Tim Walz calls the shootings a “politically motivated assassination.” Source

3:20 p.m. – Brooklyn Park

• Brooklyn Park authorities have cleared the shelter-in-place order. But an alert sent to people living in the area asks people to call 911 if you see something suspicious. Police will still be in the area collecting evidence. Meanwhile, Mercy Hospital remains on lockdown.

3:50 p.m. – Hennepin County

• The Hennepin County Medical Examiner released the initial reports for the Hortmans, saying Melissa Hortman, 55, and Mark Hortman, 58, both died of multiple gunshot wounds. Mark Hortman died at North Memorial Hospital, while Melissa Hortman died at her home.

4:00 p.m.

• The FBI offers a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter’s arrest and conviction. Source

9:00 p.m.

• Hospital reports confirm Yvette Hoffman is awake and alert. Source

11:14 p.m

• Chaska PD Update: If you’re ever unsure whether someone is a real police officer, please reach out to us to verify. It’s okay to ask questions. It’s okay to call and confirm. Our officers understand. We are here to help. Call 911 or our non-emergency line at 952-361-1231 any time of the day or night. Source

June 15, 2025

2:30 a.m. Green Isle

• Possible e-bike sighting in Green Isle. Buick was later found abandoned nearby.

7:00 a.m.

• Boelter meets a man at a bus stop, buys e-bike and Buick sedan, withdraws $2,200 from U.S. Bank (caught on surveillance in cowboy hat).
• The manhunt resumes, drawing multi-agency support including FBI, U.S. Marshals, BCA, and State Patrol.

10:50 a.m. – Faxon Township, Sibley County

• A black sedan, linked to Boelter, is discovered near Highway 25 and 301st Avenue. A cowboy hat is recovered nearby. Source
• The vehicle is searched, and investigators recover evidence relevant to the case, though details are not disclosed. 
• Officers search nearby homes and wooded areas on foot.
• An emergency alert orders local residents to lock doors and shelter-in-place. Source

5:30 p.m. – Officials give update on search for Vance Boelter Source

• Minnesota DPS Commissioner Bob Jacobson and BCA Superintendent Drew Evans briefed the media during a press conference Sunday evening at the State Emergency Operations Center in Blaine
• Current status: Boelter remains at large, armed and dangerous, with nationwide warrants and a $50,000 FBI reward active
• Public advisory: Officials urged anyone spotting him not to confront him under any circumstances—call 911 immediately
• The search for Boelter is intensely active, focusing on the Sibley County area after discovering his car and personal effects. Law enforcement is urging the public to stay vigilant and report any sightings, while continuing to gather forensic evidence and question persons of interest.

9:00 p.m.

• Alerts were sent to phones in the Green Isle area saying, “MN shooter spotted on foot … in military gear and armed near the 355 block of 200th St. Lock your doors and shelter in place.”
• Vance Boelter, 57, was spotted on a trail via camera earlier Sunday.

10:00 PM – Sibley County Alert

• Sibley County Minnesota MN Shooter spotted on foot near in military gear and armed near the 355 block of 200th St. Lock your doors and shelter in place. Source

10:14 p.m

• Law enforcement took Vance Boelter into a custody in a field in Sibley County.
• Boelter was tracked by officers into a wooded area in rural Sibley County.
• A drone spotted him in an open field.
• Upon seeing the drone and nearby tactical teams, Boelter raised his hands and walked toward law enforcement.
• He was taken into custody without further incident near a SWAT vehicle.
• Vance Boelter was armed when he was taken into custody.

10:56 p.m.

• Statement from Chaska PD: Two of our own officers – part of our regional SWAT team (Tri-City SWAT) – stepped into the unknown today, tracking a dangerous fugitive through the thick woods and wide fields of Green Isle. No hesitation. No fear. Just grit, talent, discipline. And an unshakable commitment to keeping you safe. Hundreds of more Minnesota police officers left home this morning wearing body armor and carrying rifles, heading off to search for this killer. Only hoping for the best. That is the heart of this profession.  Source

11:30 p.m

• A press conference will take place in Blaine with Gov. Tim Walz and other officials to provide an update at 11:30 p.m. EST
• Police say they continue to look into whether anyone helped Minnesota suspect Vance Boelter.
• Vance Boelter, the suspected shooter in deadly attack on two Minnesota state legislators, crawled to police after being spotted.

According to Affidavit of Probable Cause – Per criminal complaint Boetler had 3 AK’s, a 9mm handgun, mask, gold police badge in his car left at scene of Rep Hortman’s murder. He was listed purchaser of 4 of the firearms  Source

On or about June 14, 2025, at approximately 2:05 a.m., Champlin Police officers responded to a shooting at a residence in Champlin, Hennepin County, Minnesota. The 911 caller reported that a masked person had come to their door and then shot their parents. Inside the residence, officers found two adults, male and female, who had been shot, referred to herein as Victim 3 and Victim 4. Victim 3 is a state legislator.

Video surveillance footage from the exterior of the residence showed a Ford SUV with police-style lights parked in the driveway of the residence. It also showed a man, later identified as Defendant VANCE LUTHER BOELTER (07/23/1967), wearing a mask, a blue shirt, and a police-style tactical vest with a badge and yellow-gripped gun approach the front door with a flashlight. Defendant knocked on the door and announced himself as a police officer before entering the house and shooting Victims 3 and 4. The surveillance footage showed Defendant flee the residence and enter the police-style vehicle. Victim 3 and Victim 4 are currently alive and remain hospitalized.

A short time later, The Brooklyn Park Police Department learned of the shooting in Champlin. Because one of the victims is a state legislator, police proactively sent patrol officers to the home of another state legislator in Brooklyn Park, Hennepin County, Minnesota. When officers arrived at approximately 3:35 a.m., they saw the Ford SUV with police-style lights and immediately saw Defendant, still dressed as a police officer, shoot an adult man referred to herein as Victim 2 through the open door of the home.

Police exchanged gunfire with Defendant, who fled inside the residence before escaping the area. Inside the residence, officers found two adults deceased from gunshot wounds– Victim 2, and his wife, Victim 1. Victim 1 is also a state legislator. Officers searched Defendant’s vehicle (registered to him) and located at least three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm handgun, as well as a list of names and addresses of other public officials.

Officers canvassed the surrounding area and located a ballistic vest, a disassembled 9mm firearm, a mask, and a gold police- style badge. Defendant is the listed purchaser for at least four of the recovered firearms. Additionally, investigators spoke with a person familiar with Defendant who positively identified him as the man on the Champlin residence surveillance footage. Because Defendant has not been apprehended and this case has significant media attention, your complainant requests this warrant be sealed. 

Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. He was arrested Saturday near his Green Isle home and then brought to Hennepin County overnight.  Source

 June 16, 2025

1:30 p.m

• Bolter has a court appearance in Minneapolis and is being held on a $5 million bail.
• In Minnesota, a person can only be charged with first-degree murder by a jury indictment.
• The Minnesota BCA said during Sunday’s news conference the U.S. Attorney’s Office is also interested in pursuing this case at the federal level.
• Boelter, is in the custody of US Marshals, is not expected to be present for his first appearance at 1:30 p.m. at the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility in Minneapolis, where the state charges against him will be read.
• Boelter will appear in person at the federal courthouse in St. Paul, where he will face six charges filed by the US Attorney’s Office.

1:30 PM: Criminal Duty Hearing:

Judge Docherty appointed a public defender for Boelter due to his financial situation.

• Boelter told the court that he only has a part-time job where he makes $540 a week, owns his home, has seven vehicles registered to his name and about $30,000 in savings.
• Judge Docherty doubted Boelter has the means to mount a proper defense considering the charges he faces.
• Assistant U.S. Attorney Bradley Endicott, representing the Department of Justice, asked that Boelter be held in pretrial detention due to the “extremely serious” accusations. He cited the manhunt for Boelter, where he evaded law enforcement over the weekend.
• Joseph Thompson, acting Department of Justice attorney for the District of Minnesota, called the killings “chilling,” and the stuff of “nightmares.”

June 27, 2025

• Boelter’s next appearance in federal court is scheduled for June 27.

Early Life & Education

• Vance Luther Boelter
• Born: July 23, 1967
• Hometown: Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
• Married: Jenny Lynn Boelter

Education: Source

• Attended Christ For The Nations Institute (Christian ministry training)
• Bachelor’s studies at St. Cloud State University
• Earned M.S. in Management from Cardinal Stritch University

Ministry & Public Life

1993:

• Ordained as a Christian pastor  Source

1990s–2000s:

• Conducted ministry and speaking engagements  Source
• Traveled to conflict zones (Gaza, West Bank, Jerusalem) as a Christian speaker

2006:

• Announced planned publication of a book titled Original Ability, exploring spiritual identity from Genesis to Jesus. Book was slated for Spring 2006 but no public release has been verified. Source
• Promoted book and ministry via archived website Revoformation.com

2007

• Registered Revoformation Ministries Inc as a nonprofit religious organization EIN: 43-2103617. Official Name: Revoformation Ministries Inc Doing Business As: Revoformation Ministries Source
• The ministry’s name and mission aligned with Boelter’s previously advertised theological focus on spiritual “reformation” through rediscovery of humanity’s “original ability” (as mentioned in his unpublished 2006 book).

2000s–2010s:

• Worked in the food industry
• Lived in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, with wife Jenny and four kids : Grace, Faith, Hope and David

2013

• Lettieri’s plant manager Source

Security Work & Government Involvement

2016:

• Appointed by Governor Mark Dayton to Minnesota’s Governor’s Workforce Development Council volunteer based position – elected by business board and signed by Governor. Source

2019:

• Re-appointed by Governor Tim Walz Source

2020–2023:

• Claims to have led Praetorian Guard Security Services, a private security firm, though public records suggest it was inactive
• 2023 Calims to be a Dr. Vance Boelter E.d.D. is CEO of Red Lion Group based in The Democratic Republic of Congo.  Source

2021–2024:

• General Manager at Marathon Source
• Regional Workforce Development – 10736 Alameda Ave, Inver Grove Heights, MN 55077 651-455-0012 [email protected] Source and Andeavor Company
• Claimed (via LinkedIn) to be active in security consulting and missionary work, including time in the Democratic Republic of Congo
• Used unmarked vehicles outfitted with police-style lighting

Behavioral Red Flags & Escalation

2023:

• Began expressing increasingly extremist political beliefs
• Had conflicts with local officials; reportedly surveilled targets
• Maintained what some described as a “fantasy identity” of military or law enforcement service

Businesses:

Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC ​

• Located near the Minneapolis/St. Paul Metro Area ​
• Phone: (651) 252-1944 ​
• Web: www.pguards.net ​ Archive
• Email: [email protected]

Souljer Security, LLC

• 744 W Riverst Arcadia Wi 54612
• Since Nov 1999

Revoformation Ministries Inc

• 20198 341st Ave Green Isle, MN 55338
• http://revoformation.com
• guidestar.org/profile/43-2103617
• charitynavigator.org/ein/432103617
• Causes Christianity Established 1964 Tax ID 43-2103617 NTEE code Christian
• Revoformation Ministries Inc 5544 County Road J Sheboygan Wi 53083-1731 Since Apr 2006

Dr. Vance Boelter – Source  LinkedIn 

• CEO Red Lion Group
• [email protected]
• WhatsApp 17633136494
• www.redliongroupdrc.com Archived Version

Key Investigation Findings:

• Vehicle discovered: Boelter’s third vehicle, a sedan registered to him and found in Faxon Township (Sibley County), has been removed for investigation. Investigators believe this could offer vital clues
• Additional items found: Law enforcement executed searches in rural properties nearby and found personal belongings including a cowboy hat matching surveillance images of Boelter
• Widespread search zones: The manhunt has expanded across Minnesota into neighboring states. Authorities are also screening at border checkpoints and deploying hundreds of officers and K‑9 teams

Evidence Recovered

• Home Addresses of the elected officials, survival gear, and a list of 50–70 targeted individuals (including Planned Parenthood and Democratic leaders) found in a vehicle used in the shootings. Source
• Forensic analysis (VIN, registration, confirmed by roommate statements) ties the sedan in Sibley County to Boelter. Source
• Disguise & Modus Operandi: Boelter impersonated a police officer, potentially wearing a latex mask, and used vehicles resembling law enforcement to approach targets. Source

📞 Suspect Profile

• Text messages to roommates—“I may be dead shortly”—indicate premeditation, remorse, and mental distress. Source
• His background includes roles in security, evangelical ministry, prior service on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, and potential extremist views. Source

June 14, 2025

2:00 AM – Champlin, MN

• Senator John Hoffman and wife Yvette shot multiple times in their home.
• Initial evidence recovered:
• Multiple .223 and 7.62mm shell casings outside and inside residence.
• Surveillance video shows a vehicle resembling a police SUV leaving the scene.
• Yvette Hoffman manages to call 911, providing details about the attacker’s disguise (police-like clothing, bald or masked appearance).

3:35 AM – Brooklyn Park, MN

• State Rep. Melissa Hortman and husband Mark fatally shot in their home.
• Key evidence recovered:
• Security cameras capture a dark-colored vehicle with flashing lights parked outside.
• Hortman’s doorbell camera captures a man in a police uniform with a badge and sidearm.
• Crime scene processed for entry method: front door was forced with tactical precision.
• Boelter’s fingerprints lifted from doorframe and shell casings.

Later that morning

• A manifesto and hit list are discovered in a fake police vehicle abandoned near the Hortman residence.
• The manifesto mentions:
• ~70 names (local/state lawmakers, abortion providers, Planned Parenthood clinics).
• Extremist anti-government and anti-abortion ideology.
• Also recovered:
• Tactical gear
• Latex disguise mask
• CB-style radio
• “No Kings” flyers referencing sovereign citizen ideologies.

June 15, 2025

Early Morning – Brooklyn Park PD Briefing

• Officials confirm the use of disguise gear and impersonation tactics.
• Forensics lab begins analysis of:
• Shell casings
• Mask for DNA
• Car fibers
• Digital devices pulled from vehicle

Afternoon – Sibley County, MN

• A third vehicle registered to Boelter (a gray sedan) is discovered abandoned in Faxon Township, ~60 miles southwest of the crime scenes.
• Immediate lockdown of rural perimeter ordered.
• Vehicle towed to forensic facility under heavy guard.

Contents of sedan (announced in press conference):

• Cowboy hat matching the one seen in surveillance footage.
• Tactical vest with ammo pouches.
• Crumpled envelope containing receipts, burner phone SIM cards.
• USB flash drive with PDF versions of the manifesto and maps.
• Packets labeled “K2” or “spice” (synthetic drugs—testing underway).

Late evening – Evidence from Hoffman residence confirms:

• Ballistics match between chamber marks on bullets from both crime scenes.
• Use of military-grade suppressor, possibly 3D printed.

Digital forensic teams (RCFL, BCA) begin:

• Analyzing USB flash drive and CB dash cam recovered from Boelter’s vehicle.
• Scrubbing through deleted phone data recovered from previous devices tied to Boelter (warrants previously issued in 2024 related to anti-government activities).
• DNA results pending from mask and weapons grip.
• ATF confirms: Source
• At least two rifles were purchased using a forged ID.
• Serial numbers on one weapon were partially removed, requiring tool mark comparison.
• FBI confirms Boelter’s digital footprint includes visits to extremist forums and possible connection to encrypted messaging groups on platforms like Telegram and Matrix.

Google Maps links showing the confirmed discovery locations in the Vance Boelter case:

📍Champlin, MN – Senator Hoffman Home

• Incident: Shell casings recovered following shooting around 2 a.m. on June 14
• 🔗 View on Google Maps – Champlin area (~109th Ave N & Douglas Ave N)

📍Brooklyn Park, MN – Representative Hortman Home

• Incident: Fake police vehicle recovered; disguise, manifesto, AK‑style weapons seized (~3:35 a.m.)
• 🔗 View on Google Maps – Brooklyn Park location (near Edinbrook Pkwy N & Vickors Crossing N)

📍 Faxon Township, Sibley County, MN – Abandoned Sedan & Hat

• Incident: Boelter’s dark sedan and cowboy hat discovered June 15; area secured and searched
• 🔗 View on Google Maps – Faxon Township / rural Sibley Co.

Champlin and Brooklyn Park are roughly 9 miles apart in the northern Minneapolis suburbs dot.state.mn.us.

The Faxon Township finding is about 40–50 miles southwest of Minneapolis in rural Sibley County .