Vance Boelter charged with murder of Minnesota lawmakers amid political violence
- Vance Boelter opened fire at the Brooklyn Park home of state Rep. Melissa Hortman early on June 15, 2025.
- Multiple weapons and a list of Democrat officials were found in Boelter’s vehicle.
- This politically motivated attack raised concerns about the safety of elected officials in Minnesota.
On June 15, 2025, in the United States, two shootings targeting lawmakers occurred, resulting in the deaths of Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and injuries to Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, was arrested after a manhunt that lasted over 36 hours. Authorities discovered a vehicle disguised as a police SUV at Hortman’s residence, which contained weapons and a list of potential targets, including various Democrat officials. This targeted violence was deemed politically motivated, spurred on by the suspect's apparent grievances against Democratic politicians and advocates for abortion rights. The investigations led to confirmation of the suspect's background in security and military training, raising concerns regarding his premeditated actions. The incident has prompted Minnesota officials to emphasize the need for safety among politicians amid fears of potential copycat violence in the future. Governor Tim Walz condemned the shootings, highlighting the troubling trend of political confrontation escalating to gun violence, and vowed that justice would be pursued rigorously through the legal system to ensure accountability for the acts committed.