Minnesota shootings latest: Suspect Vance Boelter remains in federal custody on murder charge with bail set at $5m

WorldPolitics
17 Jun 2025 • 12:22 PM MYT
The Independent
The Independent

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Police have captured Vance Boelter, 57, who is suspected of fatally shooting MinnesotaDemocratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounding Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.

A two-day manhunt for Boelter, described as the largest in Minnesota's history, ended with his arrest late on Sunday.

Boelter has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two of attempted murder by the state, while federal charges are for firearm offenses, stalking, and murder, potentially making this a death penalty case.

Authorities found "voluminous" written material in Boelter's car and home, including plans, lists of names, and surveillance efforts targeting elected officials, but no clear manifesto as earlier reports suggested.

Acting US Attorney Joseph Thompson stated that Boelter had a list of 45 Minnesota state and federal elected officials — all Democrats — and had researched them and their families.

Boelter allegedly impersonated a police officer and wore a "hyper-realistic" silicone mask during the shootings, and also went to two other lawmakers’ homes.

In the wake of the shooting, GOP Senator Mike Lee of Utah made mocking and conspiratorial posts on X about the killings, prompting furious criticism from his Democratic counterparts.

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Key points

  • Vance Boelter in custody over shootings of Minnesota Democratic lawmakers after two-day manhunt
  • A woodland trail cam, infra-red and an abrupt surrender: How was the suspect captured?
  • Who was Melissa Hortman? The politician who once served burritos and trained service dogs

What you need to know

Monday 16 June 2025 14:36

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Oliver O'Connell

  • Vance Boelter, 57, is in police custody after a nearly two-day manhunt for allegedly shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses.
  • Boelter is accused of fatally shooting Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and wounding Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.
  • Authorities located Boelter's vehicle with evidence, and he was later arrested and charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two of attempted murder.
  • According to U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson, Boelter meticulously planned the attacks, researching his victims and conducting surveillance on their homes; he also had a list of 45 Minnesota state and federal elected officials.
  • Boelter, described as "very conservative" and opposed to abortion, allegedly impersonated a police officer and wore a silicone mask during the shootings.
  • Federal charges include stalking, firearm use, and murder, potentially making it a death penalty case.
  • Boelter appeared briefly in court on Monday, saying he could not afford a private attorney. He is scheduled to return before a judge on June 27.

Neighbors describe memories of Minnesota suspect Vance Boelter, and moments before capture

04:00

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Josh Marcus

Residents of the town of Green Isle are sharing their recollections of suspected Minnesota gunman Vance Boelter, including the tense moments before he was captured near the rural area.

Wendy Thomas told CBS Minnesota she was stopping into a friend’s house to pick up an address book and speaking with her father on the phone on Sunday evening when she spotted the then-fugitive.

"I was coming down the driveway [and] I said, 'Dad, there is somebody in the front yard,'" said Thomas.

Boelter ducked down by a culvert once he was spotted, she said. Thomas then fled and flagged down a local deputy, helping alert police to his location.

Within two hours Boelter was captured, after police said he tried to evade arrest as officers closed in.

Kevin Effertz knew Boelter, who had a property near Green Isle, and said the alleged gunman appeared to be a regular, non-political person before the shootings, which targeted prominent state Democrats.

"He never had any political views that we talked about. It was always about the weather, what's going on. How's your family," Effertz told CBS Minnesota. "A guy, you shake your hand with him and everything else, and he does this, which is really strange."

Children of slain lawmaker Melissa Hortman

03:01

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Josh Marcus

Sophie and Colin Hortman, the children of Minnesota Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were killed in Saturday’s shootings, have shared a statement.

Here’s what they wrote in the message, which was obtained by the Minnesota StarTribune:

“We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our parents, Melissa and Mark. They were the bright lights at the center of our lives, and we can’t believe they are gone. Their love for us was boundless. We miss them so much.”

“We want everyone to know that we are both safe and with loved ones. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received, and we appreciate your respect for our family’s privacy as we grieve.”

“Our family would like to thank law enforcement for their swift action that saved others and for the coordination across communities that led to the arrest of the man who murdered our parents. We especially would like to thank the officers who were first on the scene to our parents’ home and their heroic attempts to rescue our mom and dad.”

“Our parents touched so many lives, and they leave behind an incredible legacy of dedication to their community that will live on in us, their friends, their colleagues and co-workers, and every single person who knew and loved them.”

If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following:

  • Plant a tree.
  • Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail.
  • Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.
  • Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it.
  • Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone.
  • Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something.
  • Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.

“Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”

Leader of Minnesota House calls on colleagues to 'set the tone' and show respectful bipartisanship

02:30

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Josh Marcus

Lisa Demuth, the Republican Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, is calling on her colleagues of both parties to “set the tone” and follow the example of her predecessor, the well-regarded Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was killed in Saturday’s shootings.

“We got along really well, and it’s because she started building that working relationship over the years,” Demuth told the Minnesota StarTribune on Monday. “Without that happening, it would have made this year a lot harder.”

“This person is completely a monster,” Demuth added of alleged gunman Vance Boelter. “No rational agreement or disagreement on any type of policy should ever lead to something like this.”

'Unconscionable': Minnesota senator's staff slams Mike Lee over mocking posts

02:00

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A senior staff member for Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota slammed Utah Senator Mike Lee over his posts appearing to mock the recent shooting of Democratic state lawmakers in Minnesota, as well as claim without evidence their killings were a Marxist attack.

In an email, obtained by Politico, the staff member called the posts “unconscionable.”

“Why would you use the awesome power of a United States Senate Office to compound people’s grief,” the official wrote. “Is this how your team measures success? Using the office of [a] US Senator to post not just one but a series of jokes about an assassination — is that a successful day of work on Team Lee?”

Trump still hasn't called Minnesota governor, but Vance has

01:45

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Josh Marcus

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Three days after shootings targeted state lawmakers, President Trump still hasn’t reached out to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, the Democrat said on Monday.

Walz, who served as the vice presidential nominee on the Democratic ticket against Trump in 2024, said he wasn’t surprised.

“I think I understand where that’s at,” Walz told MPR. “I did speak to Vice President Vance, grateful for that call.”

“I’m always open to you know, people expressing gratitude,” he added. “Vice President Vance assured us, and he delivered, that the FBI would be there as partners with us to get it done. That was what needed to be done.”

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Minnesota shootings upend balance in evenly split state House

01:18

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Josh Marcus

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The Minnesota shootings have not only traumatized family members and local leaders alike, but they also have altered what was previously the evenly divided partisan balance of the state’s House of Representatives.

With the killing of Melissa Hortman, the House’s top Democrat, Republicans now have a one-vote majority.

The governor will likely call a special election for Hortman’s seat before the next legislative session begins in February.

Democrats say this isn’t an immediate concern, though.

“There is no urgency to fill the seat,” Matt Roznowski, the director of communications and public affairs for the House of Representative’s Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party, told The New York Times.

Minnesota senator confronts Mike Lee after posts mocking shootings

Tuesday 17 June 2025 00:30

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Josh Marcus

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US Senator Tina Smith, Democrat of Minnesota, was seen confronting Senator Mike Lee of Utah on Monday in the Capitol, after the latter made posts on X in recent days spreading unverified information and appearing to mock the recent shooting of Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota.

"I think that he honestly, he seemed a little surprised to be confronted,” Smith told reporter Jamie Dupree of the conversation.

Here’s our report on the chaotic, often conspiratorial online discourse that followed the shooting, including Lee’s comments.

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North Carolina state rep faces calls to resign for guillotine image of Trump

Tuesday 17 June 2025 00:00

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Josh Marcus

The Minnesota shootings have prompted serious discussions about the levels of political violence and threatening rhetoric in the US today, including condemnation of US Senator Mike Lee for posts that appeared to mock the slayings and claim that Marxists were responsible, despite no public evidence that is the case.

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In parallel with these discussions, a North Carolina state rep is facing criticism for a post about the “No Kings” protests over the weekend many found inappropriate and violent.

The state’s Republican Party has called on Rep. Julie Von Haefen to resign, after she posted images of a local “No Kings” event including a demonstrator holding a sign featuring a beheaded Donald Trump and the slogan “some cuts may be necessary” along with a guillotine.

“The posts Rep. von Haefen shared do not show the judgement or temperament of someone to hold public office,” NCGOP Chairman Jason Simmons said in a statement. “For the good of her constituents to have effective representation, she should resign.”

The lawmaker later removed the photo.

“One of the images of a protester holding a sign was inappropriate, and I later edited the video to remove the photo. Some online sources have incorrectly reported that I am the person in the photo with the sign, which is not true,” von Haefen later told the Raleigh News and Observer. “Let me be clear: I condemn political violence in all forms. My focus remains on bringing people together and fighting for the values that matter to North Carolinians. Like so many, I was horrified by the violence in Minnesota. There is no place for that kind of extremism in our democracy, no matter the target, no matter the party.”

Minnesota victims’ dog had to be put down after being shot in Saturday’s political assassinations

Monday 16 June 2025 23:30

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Oliver O'Connell

A pet dog belonging to a Minnesota state representative and her husband, who were shot dead at their home on Saturday, has been put down after being wounded in the attack.

Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband Mark, 58, were shot multiple times at their Brooklyn Park home in the early hours of Saturday by a man posing as a police officer. The same night, state senator John Hoffman, 60, and his wife Yvette were targeted and shot and wounded in a similar attack at their home.

Michelle Del Rey reports.

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IN FOCUS: How the ‘politically motivated’ shooting of Minnesota lawmakers unleashed right-wing conspiracy theories

Monday 16 June 2025 23:00

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Oliver O'Connell

Josh Marcus writes:

The first, most pressing one, is the arrest of Vance L. Boelter, the man suspected of impersonating a police officer and shooting two state lawmakers and their spouses in a “politically motivated” attack on Saturday.

The other is a race to get in front of feverish conspiracy theories about the incident that are spreading across right-wing corners of the internet.

Read on...

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Another Michigan rep says they were on shooter's list

Monday 16 June 2025 22:44

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Oliver O'Connell

Michigan Democratic Rep. Shri Thanedar has revealed that he, too, was on the Minnesota shooter’s list of targets.

Thanedar said in a statement: “There is no place for political violence in a democracy.”

Democrat leadership writes to Speaker Johnson calling for additional security

Monday 16 June 2025 22:35

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Oliver O'Connell

House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Administration Committee Top Democrat Rep. Joseph Morelle have written to Speaker Mike Johnson calling for additional security for all House members nationwide, following the shooting of Minnesota state lawmakers.

They wrote in part: “That responsibility starts with you. The Speaker of the House has extensive authority over this institution, both administratively and legislatively. We strongly urge you to immediately direct the Sergeant at Arms to take all necessary steps to protect House members throughout the country. At the same time, it is imperative that we substantially increase the Member Representational Allowance (MRA) to support additional safety and security measures in every single office.”

The View rips Sen. Mike Lee over Minnesota shooter tweets

Monday 16 June 2025 22:30

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Oliver O'Connell

Tearing into Mike Lee on Monday for his tweets that seemingly blamed the politically motivated shootings of Minnesota lawmakers on “Marxists” and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, the hosts of The View said that if the GOP senator had “any other job,” he would “be fired instantly.”

Less than a day after saying he condemned “political violence” following the fatal shooting at a protest in his home state of Utah, Lee took to his personal X account labeled @BasedMikeLee – where he regularly peddles far-right disinformation – to mock the tragedy and point the finger at Democrats and leftists.

Justin Baragona has the story.

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Walz still has not heard from Trump after shootings

Monday 16 June 2025 22:22

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Oliver O'Connell

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has still not heard from President Donald Trump since this weekend’s shootings.

The governor thanked Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who called to express his condolences.

Michigan Democrat reschedules town hall after name found on shooter's list

Monday 16 June 2025 22:17

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Oliver O'Connell

Michigan Democratic congresswoman Hillary Scholten has rescheduled a town hall after her name was found on the Minnesota shooter’s list of targets.

Nothing matters more to me than the safety and well-being of the people I serve. After being made aware that my name was on a list connected to the recent tragic shooting in Minnesota, my office has made the difficult decision to postpone our planned town hall in Muskegon.

Open, honest dialogue with West Michigan is at the heart of my service–and I will not be deterred from standing up for this community. Out of an abundance of caution and to not divert additional law enforcement resources away from protecting the broader public at this time, this is the responsible choice.

We will reschedule this event as soon as possible, and I remain committed to ensuring every West Michigander has the opportunity to make their voice heard.

Watch: Schumer says highest priority is security for all senators

Monday 16 June 2025 22:11

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Oliver O'Connell

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer says his highest priority is ensuring the safety of all senators following this weekend’s political assassination and shootings in Minnesota.

“My highest priority right now is working with the Senate leadership on both sides, the Senate Sergeant at Arms and Capitol Police, to ensure everyone's safety. This weekend, I asked Capitol Police and the Sergeant at Arms to increase the security for members, including Senator Padilla and the Minnesota Senators.”

Monday 16 June 2025 22:04

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Oliver O'Connell

Fourth term El Paso, Texas, Democratic Rep. Veronica Escobar was informed by U.S. Capitol Police on Sunday that she was on the Minnesota shooter's list.

How the shocking events unfolded

Monday 16 June 2025 22:00

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Oliver O'Connell

According to court documents, in the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, Vance Luther Boelter put into effect a calculated plan to inflict fear and violence upon Minnesota elected officials and their families. Boelter equipped himself with firearms and body armor, disguised himself as a law enforcement officer, and drove to the home of Senator Hoffman. Boelter knocked on the door repeatedly, claiming to be a police officer. Shortly after the Hoffmans opened the door, they were alarmed to realize Boelter was wearing a facemask. The Hoffmans tried to close the door on Boelter, but Boelter repeatedly shot both Senator and Mrs. Hoffman.

Boelter then traveled to the homes of two other Minnesota elected officials, still disguised as a law enforcement officer. Boelter was unable to make contact with either of those officials or their families.

Next, Boelter drove to the home of Speaker Emerita and Representative Melissa Hortman. Meanwhile, local law enforcement, having heard of the shooting at the Hoffman residence, drove to the Hortman household to conduct a safety check. Upon arriving, officers saw Boelter’s car, a black Ford Explorer SUV, designed to resemble a law enforcement vehicle. It was equipped with police-style lights that were on and flashing. Officers saw Boelter, standing several feet from and facing the front door of the Hortman home. Moments later, Boelter fired several gunshots into the home, repeatedly striking Mr. Hortman. As Boelter did so, he rushed into the home and fired several additional shots, repeatedly striking Representative Hortman. Officers provided medical aid to the Hortmans and attempted to pursue Boelter, who abandoned the SUV and fled, initially, on foot. Both Hortmans died from their wounds.

Law enforcement searched Boelter’s SUV and recovered five firearms, including semi-automatic, assault-style rifles, a large quantity of ammunition, and several notebooks filled with handwritten notations. Those notes listed out the names of dozens of Minnesota state and federal elected officials. The notes often included the home addresses of those officials.

Ohio congressman confirms he was on target list

Monday 16 June 2025 21:54

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Oliver O'Connell

Second-term Ohio Democratic Rep. Greg Landsman was notified by U.S. Capitol Police that his name was included in the Minnesota murder suspect’s notes.

Watch: Sen. Durbin slams rhetoric from elected officials on shootings as 'reprehensible'

Monday 16 June 2025 21:50

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Oliver O'Connell

Memorial honors slain state lawmaker

Monday 16 June 2025 21:30

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Oliver O'Connell

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Klobuchar's office confirms she was on suspect's target list

Monday 16 June 2025 21:14

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Oliver O'Connell

The office of Minnesota Democratic Senator Amy Klobuchar has confirmed that she was one of the elected officials named as a potential target in the suspect’s notebooks, The New York Times reports.

The lists made by Vance Boelter included other Democratic politicians across several states, as well as community leaders and Planned Parenthood centers.

John and Yvette Hoffman 'humbled' by outpouring of support

Monday 16 June 2025 21:00

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Oliver O'Connell

Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette gave the following statement to CNN affiliate WCCO.

First and foremost, John and I hold a deep and profound gratitude for the work of our law enforcement agencies and the public for their help in bringing the suspect to justice, while diligently keeping our communities safe during this extremely difficult and senseless event.

John and I are both incredibly lucky to be alive. We continue our healing journey and are humbled by the outpouring of love and support our family has received from across the state and our nation.

There is never a place for senseless political violence and loss of life. We are devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark [Hortman], and our hearts go out to all those who knew and loved them both. We are always at our best when we unite together.

Boelter bail set at $5m in state court

Monday 16 June 2025 20:55

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Oliver O'Connell

While Vance Boelter made an appearance at the federal court today, he did not appear at the state court.

During the proceeding, the state court judge issued a bench warrant for Boelter and set bail at $5 million.

Boelter remains in federal custody and no court date was set for a return to state court.

House Republicans held 'tense' call with police over safety fears after shooting

Monday 16 June 2025 20:50

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Oliver O'Connell

In Washington, senators will be briefed by law enforcement officials on Tuesday about safety and security, following the assassination of Minnesota State Rep Melissa Hortman and her husband over the weekend and the shooting of State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.

ABC News reports that on Saturday, House Republicans held a conference call with the House Sergeant at Arms and the U.S. Capitol Police to discuss their concerns. The call was described as “tense.”

The key source of contention, in particular, was the request for police to be outside their homes at all times. Law enforcement authorities say they need more funding from Congress to provide that.

Calls for Sen. Mike Lee to resign over social media posts

Monday 16 June 2025 20:40

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Oliver O'Connell

Utah Senator Mike Lee sparked outrage over the weekend and calls for his resignation over social media posts that baselessly claim the man charged with targeting Minnesota lawmakers in shootings during the weekend has ties to the political left.

One post read: “This is what happens (w)hen Marxists don't get their way.”

Another said, “Nightmare on Waltz Street,” in a misspelled reference to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.

In another post about the shootings, Lee called Marxism “a deadly mental illness.”

Shooting suspect Vance Boelter has since been confirmed to hold deeply conservative religious and political views, with his roommate telling CBS News that he is a Trump supporter.

“I've condemned what Mike Lee did here at home, and I will speak to him about this. … This is not a laughing matter,” Senator Amy Klobuchar told Morning Joe on MSNBC.

“He must resign or the Senate must expel him. It's that simple,” the Elevate Utah PAC wrote on Bluesky.

Former RNC chair Michael Steele posted on X: “Grow the hell up.”

Roommate claims suspected Minnesota shooter was ‘down’ and security business ‘wasn’t a reality’

Monday 16 June 2025 20:30

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Oliver O'Connell

A man who lived with Vance Luther Boelter, suspected of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses on Saturday, said his lifelong friend had been “down” lately after returning from a trip.

David Carlson told reporters over the weekend that he’s known Boelter since the fourth grade and considered him a best friend. He said the two occasionally shared a rental near Minneapolis because it was close to their workplaces.

Ariana Baio reports.

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Minnesota state senator says shooter was parked near her home

Monday 16 June 2025 20:06

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Oliver O'Connell

Senator Ann Rest (DFL-New Hope) released the following statement Monday:

I have been made aware that the shooting suspect was parked near my home early Saturday morning. I am so grateful for the heroic work of the New Hope Police Department and its officers. Their quick action saved my life.

I am also thankful for the work of state and local law enforcement to apprehend the suspect before he could take any more lives.

While I am thankful the suspect has been apprehended, I grieve for the loss of Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and I am praying for the recovery of John and Yvette Hoffman.

Boelter in court

Monday 16 June 2025 19:53

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Oliver O'Connell

Vance Boelter has arrived in court wearing an orange jumpsuit and slippers.

He was unshackled while sitting next to a defense attorney in court.

Boelter faces six federal charges, including murder, stalking, and firearms offenses.

He says he cannot afford a private attorney, earning $540 per week at a part-time job, with no other sources of income, although he owns his home and has seven cars in his name.

Magistrate Judge John Docherty will recommend a federal public defender.

Boelter will return to court on June 27 at 11:00 a.m. CT.

Monday 16 June 2025 19:52

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Oliver O'Connell

According to the charges, the defendant had a list of possible targets and went to the homes of public officials to conduct violent attacks. This type of violence is unacceptable, and the FBI stands united with our law enforcement partners to find and hold accountable anyone who commits such despicable acts. I commend all the law enforcement officers who worked throughout the weekend to find the defendant and take him into custody.

FBI Director Kash Patel

Bondi: 'These horrific acts will not go unanswered'

Monday 16 June 2025 19:47

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Oliver O'Connell

Attorney General Pam Bondi says the horrific murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman and the shooting of John and Yvette Hoffman “have shocked the nation and united us in grief.”

She adds: “These horrific acts of violence will not go unanswered: the Department of Justice will prosecute this suspect to the fullest extent of the law and if convicted deliver severe consequences for his alleged crimes.”

Suspect pushing for delay in detention hearing

Monday 16 June 2025 19:43

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Oliver O'Connell

Suspect Vance Boelter has filed a motion to try to delay today’s preliminary hearing in the federal case against him.

His lawyers argue that, given the seriousness of the charges, more time is needed to prepare.

They propose a new hearing date of June 27.

Inside suspect's car and notebooks revealed in affidavit photos

Monday 16 June 2025 19:35

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Oliver O'Connell

Affidavit shows silicone mask and license plate on suspect's car

Monday 16 June 2025 19:33

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Oliver O'Connell