Camilla Jessen
Authorities have confirmed that the man suspected of carrying out the killings in Minnesota has been captured.
Authorities have captured Vance Luther Boelter, 57, the man suspected of killing and injuring Minnesota lawmakers and their families.
Boelter was arrested Sunday evening in rural Sibley County after what officials called the largest manhunt in Minnesota history.
Captured After Massive Search
A resident in Sibley County spotted someone on their trail camera around 7 p.m. who matched Boelter’s description.
Just after 9 p.m., an emergency alert was sent to phones in the Green Isle area, warning that Boelter had been seen on foot wearing military-style gear and carrying a weapon.
Boelter hid in the woods for nearly an hour before surrendering to police near his former home in Green Isle. He crawled toward officers, identified himself, and was taken into custody without resistance.
Authorities confirmed he was armed, but did not say what type of weapon he had.
He is now being questioned at an undisclosed location.
The Violent Attacks
Boelter’s arrest came after a deadly attack early Saturday morning.
According to authorities, he posed as law enforcement, wearing tactical gear and driving a Ford SUV with flashing lights.
He first targeted State Sen. John Hoffman’s home in Champlin at 2:05 a.m.
Surveillance footage shows Boelter announcing himself as a police officer before shooting John and his wife, Yvette Hoffman. Both survived despite multiple gunshot wounds.
About 90 minutes later, Boelter arrived at Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman’s home in Brooklyn Park.
Officers witnessed him shoot Mark Hortman through the front door. Both Melissa and Mark Hortman were pronounced dead at the scene.
Evidence of Planning
Police say Boelter acted alone.
Investigators found three AK-47 rifles, a 9mm handgun, a ballistic vest, and a list of names and addresses of other public officials in his car.
The vehicle also contained signs reading “No Kings,” a phrase linked to anti-government protests in the U.S.
“This was a betrayal of everything the badge stands for,” said Bob Jacobson from the Minnesota Department of Public Safety in an interview with Newsner. “Boelter exploited the trust. Our uniforms are meant to represent.”
Boelter faces four felony charges of second-degree murder and attempted murder. Each charge carries a maximum sentence of 40 years.
His bail has been set at $5 million.
Survivors Speak Out
Yvette Hoffman spoke out for the first time since the attack.
Senator Amy Klobuchar shared a message from Yvette:
“John is enduring many surgeries right now and is closer every hour to being out of the woods. He took [nine] bullet hits. I took [eight] and we are both incredibly lucky to be alive. We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark. There is never a place for this kind of political hate.”
At a press conference, Governor Tim Walz praised the actions of the Hoffmans’ daughter, Hope, saying her quick thinking helped save lives.
He also confirmed that Senator Hoffman had successfully come out of surgery and was recovering.