The largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history ended Sunday night with the arrest of 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, the man suspected of murdering Democrat State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in a chilling political assassination that’s shaken the state to its core.
Boelter was apprehended in Sibley County at 9:27 p.m., roughly 57 miles from the crime scene in Brooklyn Park, where the Hortmans were found slain in their home. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were also wounded in what appears to be a targeted, politically motivated attack.
According to FOX 9, the dramatic arrest followed a statewide shelter-in-place alert sent to residents in the town of Green Isle, warning of an armed suspect on foot wearing military gear.
“MN shooter spotted on foot — in military gear and armed near the 355 block of 200th St. Lock your doors and shelter in place,” the emergency alert read.
Authorities confirmed Sunday night that Boelter is charged with four counts of second-degree murder with intent.
Boelter’s ties to state leadership only deepen the controversy—he was appointed to Minnesota’s Workforce Development Board in 2019 by Democrat Gov. Tim Walz. His role with the state, paired with the nature of the killings, is already sparking national debate.
Meanwhile, his wife, Jenny Boelter, was detained during a traffic stop after police reportedly found a weapon, ammunition, and multiple passports in her car. Whether she played a role in the planning remains under investigation.
Authorities revealed that Boelter left behind “No Kings” flyers—suggesting an anti-establishment, anti-government ideology. While details of his confiscated manifesto remain sealed, law enforcement is urging the public not to speculate—though many are already drawing parallels to past acts of politically charged domestic violence.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) stated they’re still analyzing Boelter’s writings and motives.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman made headlines last week for breaking ranks with Democrats and voting alongside Republicans during a special budget session. It was one of her final acts as a lawmaker.
“I know that people will be hurt by that vote… we worked very hard to try to get a budget deal that wouldn’t include that provision,” Hortman said, tearfully, following the session.
While the motive behind the killings has yet to be officially confirmed, her bipartisan vote has raised questions about whether political extremism—possibly from the left or right—played a direct role.
As investigators comb through Boelter’s writings and background, a few things are clear:
- This was a politically charged killing, not a random act of violence.
- The suspect had government connections, raising questions about vetting and oversight.
- His ideology appears deeply anti-authority—and possibly violent.
This case could become one of the most high-profile political crimes in recent U.S. history, with serious implications for domestic security, political polarization, and state-level accountability.
We’ll continue to follow this developing story and provide updates as more facts emerge. For now, Minnesota mourns, and America waits for answers.
