Background: Security footage allegedly shows Vance Boelter in a latex rubber mask outside the home of Sen. John Hoffman, prosecutors say (DOJ). Left inset: The mask that Vance Boelter allegedly wore during his coordinated shooting attacks (DOJ). Right inset: Vance Boelter (Minnesota Department of Public Safety).
The man accused of gunning down a Minnesota senator and state representative, along with their wives, in a series of “politically motivated” shooting attacks on Saturday sent a chilling text message to his family after the bloodshed ended, writing, “Dad went to war last night,” according to federal court documents.
Vance Boelter, 57, was taken into custody on Sunday and is already fighting to delay his case. In a motion for continuance of his detention and preliminary hearing filed on Monday, Boelter’s lawyer stated he needed “additional time” to meet with his client, review potential discovery and “investigate accordingly.”
“Mr. Boelter was arrested on the evening of June 15, 2025,” his lawyers said. “He was brought into the Federal Courthouse around 10:30 a.m. today. He has been charged by criminal complaint with two counts of Stalking (potential of a life sentence); two counts of Murder through the Use of Firearm (death or life sentence); and two counts of Using a Firearm in Furtherance of such crimes (minimum 10 years). Given the serious nature of the allegations and the potential consequences (death), additional time is needed to prepare for a detention hearing.”
According to Boelter’s federal arrest affidavit, which was unsealed on Monday after being filed over the weekend, the Minnesota father sent texts to multiple members of his family after shooting Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife at their home in Champlin and Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband at their residence early Saturday morning.
“I don’t wanna say more because I don’t wanna implicate anybody,” Boelter allegedly wrote. “Words are not gonna explain how sorry I am for this situation. There’s gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy and I don’t want you guys around.”
Champlin Police responded around 2 a.m. on Saturday to the Hoffmans’ home and found the couple with gunshot wounds, but alive. Boetler had allegedly moved on to the Hortmans’ Brooklyn Park residence and killed them at around 3:30 a.m., with officers responding minutes later and being met with bullets as Boetler exited and escaped on foot, according to officials.
Cops say Boetler was wearing police gear and a mask during the shooting attacks. A vehicle resembling a police SUV with flashing lights was found outside the Hortman home with a manifesto inside that included the names of other targets, police said. Police were able to look through Boelter’s vehicle after his wife allegedly consented to a search, the affidavit says. Investigators allegedly found several guns, passports and about $10,000 in cash.
Boelter could face the death penalty if convicted. He faces state charges, including first-degree murder, as well.
