FLASHBACK: 2025 Assassination of Minnesota politicians
The assailant, who is still at large, was identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter by the state's public safety commissioner.
Manhunt for Suspect in MN Lawmaker Killings Enters Second Day
June 14, 2025, 9:33 AM EDT / Updated June 15, 2025, 1:33 AM EDT
By Erik Ortiz, Mirna Alsharif, Cristian Santana, Tom Winter and Jonathan Dienst
A massive search continued Saturday for a 57-year-old Minnesota man, after an early morning attack that left a Democratic Minnesota lawmaker and her husband dead and a second Democratic lawmaker and his wife injured in separate “politically motivated” shootings, authorities said.
On Saturday afternoon, Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson identified the shooting suspect as Vance Boelter. Jacobson described him as 6-foot-1 with brown hair, wearing a light-colored cowboy hat and a dark long-sleeve collared shirt or coat.
Jacobson urged the public not to approach Boelter if they see him.
Information on Vance Luther Boelter, the suspect in the Minnesota state lawmakers shootings.Minnesota Dept. of Public Safety
"You should consider him armed and dangerous, and you should call 911 immediately," Jacobson said.
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to Boelter's arrest.
Officials say the suspected gunman impersonated law enforcement wearing a vest, blue long-sleeve shirt, and what looked like a badge to gain access to the legislators’ homes.
NBC News has obtained several new photos investigators in Minnesota believe they have found of Boelter at the home of at least one victim. Two of the photos show a man at the door of a home in a long-sleeve shirt and what appears to be a vest that looks similar to the bulletproof vests often worn by law enforcement.
"You should consider him armed and dangerous, and you should call 911 immediately," Jacobson said.
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information that leads to Boelter's arrest.
Officials say the suspected gunman impersonated law enforcement wearing a vest, blue long-sleeve shirt, and what looked like a badge to gain access to the legislators’ homes.
NBC News has obtained several new photos investigators in Minnesota believe they have found of Boelter at the home of at least one victim. Two of the photos show a man at the door of a home in a long-sleeve shirt and what appears to be a vest that looks similar to the bulletproof vests often worn by law enforcement.
Footage shows a man matching the description of shooting suspect Vance Luther Boelter attempting to gain access to one of the victims homes. FBI
One of the photos obtained by NBC News appears to match an image the FBI released on X, showing a man at the door but zoomed in closer to his face and less pixelated. It appears the man may have been wearing a mask or a bald cap, based on the creases on his face.
Another photo is a blurry image of a man walking alone and wearing a cowboy hat, similar to a photo shown by law enforcement at a press conference identifying Boelter.
Investigators towed an SUV allegedly belonging to the suspect that either looks like or is a police vehicle — equipped with flashing lights, ramming bumper, spotlight and more.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman of Brooklyn Park and her husband, Mark, were killed in "what appeared to be a politically motivated assassination," Gov. Tim Walz said at a news conference.
Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.Minnesota House DFL Caucus
State Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and his wife, Yvette, were severely injured, Walz said. They remain hospitalized and their conditions were not immediately available.
Both lawmakers were members of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party and their respective homes are located about 8 miles apart, in the suburbs north of Minneapolis.
"This was an act of targeted political violence," Walz said. "Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint."
Speaking to NBC affiliate KARE of Minneapolis, Boelter's friend and roommate said the suspect sent him a text message around 6 a.m. indicating he might die.
"I may be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know that I love you guys both, and I wish it hadn’t gone this way," the messages read, according to Carlson.
Amid questions about the suspect's ideology, KARE reported Carlson as saying Boelter was a supporter of President Donald Trump. However, Carlson told the station he wasn’t aware of his friend’s stance on local politicians.
NBC News spoke to a Minnesota Democratic legislator who said they were “beyond devastated” by the shootings. They said they were currently in hiding and safe and asked not to be named out of fear for their safety.
Jeff Blodgett — a St. Paul-based Democratic strategist who was a campaign manager for the late Sen. Paul Wellstone and the state director for both of Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns — knew Melissa Hortman well. He described her as a "tremendous leader."
"This is obviously the result of some sick, angry mind who thinks they have to play out their politics with a gun," Blodgett said.
State Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and his wife, Yvette, were severely injured, Walz said. They remain hospitalized and their conditions were not immediately available.
Both lawmakers were members of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party and their respective homes are located about 8 miles apart, in the suburbs north of Minneapolis.
"This was an act of targeted political violence," Walz said. "Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint."
Speaking to NBC affiliate KARE of Minneapolis, Boelter's friend and roommate said the suspect sent him a text message around 6 a.m. indicating he might die.
"I may be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know that I love you guys both, and I wish it hadn’t gone this way," the messages read, according to Carlson.
Amid questions about the suspect's ideology, KARE reported Carlson as saying Boelter was a supporter of President Donald Trump. However, Carlson told the station he wasn’t aware of his friend’s stance on local politicians.
NBC News spoke to a Minnesota Democratic legislator who said they were “beyond devastated” by the shootings. They said they were currently in hiding and safe and asked not to be named out of fear for their safety.
Jeff Blodgett — a St. Paul-based Democratic strategist who was a campaign manager for the late Sen. Paul Wellstone and the state director for both of Barack Obama’s presidential campaigns — knew Melissa Hortman well. He described her as a "tremendous leader."
"This is obviously the result of some sick, angry mind who thinks they have to play out their politics with a gun," Blodgett said.
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