The Blubber

Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman was shot and killed at her home in Brooklyn Park, according to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner. Her husband, Mark Hortman, was also shot at the residence and later died at the hospital. Roughly five miles away in Champlin, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot and wounded at their home. Both lawmakers were Democrats representing the northwest portion of the Twin Cities metro area.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) has identified Vance L. Boelter as a person of interest in the shootings. Boelter is described as being 6-foot-1, approximately 220 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen on Saturday morning in Minneapolis, wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark long-sleeve shirt, light-colored pants, and carrying a dark bag.

Authorities are warning the public not to approach Boelter, who is considered "armed and dangerous." BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said investigators believe Boelter may be trying to flee the Twin Cities area.

"We still don't know if additional people are involved, but this individual is the one we're currently focused on as a person of interest," Evans said. "There may be others with him, and we want to speak to anyone who’s had contact with him at any time."

The FBI released a security camera image Saturday afternoon that appears to show Boelter standing outside one of the lawmakers' homes, wearing a mask and dressed as a police officer. The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.

Anyone with tips on Boelter’s location is urged to call 877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us.

"This was a deliberate and violent attack on public servants and their families," said Alvin M. Winston Sr., Special Agent in Charge of the FBI’s Minneapolis office. "We are using every available resource to find and arrest Vance Boelter. No detail is too small—public vigilance is vital."

What We Know About Vance Boelter

Boelter’s last known address is a rural property in Sibley County, near the town of Green Isle. He most recently lived in a home in north Minneapolis, according to a law enforcement source.

Boelter is employed as Director of Security Patrols at Praetorian Guard Security Services. His LinkedIn profile states he previously worked as a general manager at a convenience store chain and at a food manufacturing company.

In 2016, former Governor Mark Dayton appointed Boelter to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Council as a private sector representative. He later served as a business member of the Governor’s Workforce Development Board under Governor Tim Walz until January 2023.

Public records confirm that Senator John Hoffman also served on the same 60-member board during Boelter’s tenure. The board advises the governor and legislature on workforce-related policy.

At a press conference, authorities said they are investigating whether Boelter personally knew either lawmaker. Evans noted there was "certainly some overlap with some public meetings" between Boelter and Hoffman, but officials have not determined "the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other."