Suspected Assassin Vance Boelter is In Custody

After an intense two day manhunt, police arrested 57 year old Vance Boelter, suspected to be the assassin who in Minnesota killed state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and pumping nine shots into state Senator John Hoffman and eight into his wife Yvette.

Boelter is accused of impersonating a police officer in uniform to gain entry to their homes and attempt to kill them. He faces charges of two counts of second-degree murder and two of attempted murder. The Hoffmans survived, barring complications, and are in a hospital.

A roommate and friend of Boelter described him as “very conservative” and opposed to abortion. This was consistent with a list of dozens of names found in Boelter’s police-like SUV. The people listed were generally either involved in provision of abortion services or were Democratic lawmakers and officials.

Boelter had been a registered Republican in the past. He served on a state workforce development board, where he was appointed by the previous state governor. Hoffman also served on the board.

After Boelter’s arrest, Governor Tim Waltz made the following public statement:

After a two-day manhunt in which hundreds of law enforcement officials left their families to run into danger and deliver justice for Melissa and Mark Hortman, Vance Boelter has been apprehended.

Boelter’s unthinkable actions ended the life of someone who shaped the core of who we are as a state. Someone who was beloved by colleagues on both sides of the aisle. Someone who sacrificed everything for public service.

As a country we cannot become numb to this violence. We are a deeply divided nation. That has become even more clear over the last two days. The way we move forward and solve the problems facing our nation is not through hate. It is not through violence. It is through humility, and grace, and civility.

To Melissa and Mark’s family: I cannot fathom your pain, your grief. Let us take solace in their memory, in Melissa’s legacy of selfless, pragmatic, gentle public service. The state of Minnesota grieves with you.

To John and Yvette: we’re excited to see you at the Capitol, and the bravery you and your daughter Hope showed saved countless lives and will not be forgotten.

To our law enforcement officers: thank you for your courage, your service, and your professionalism. You have saved lives.

As we heal, we will not let fear win. We must now move forward in Melissa’s honor with understanding, service, and above all, a sense of one other’s humanity.

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