Vance Boelter faces serious federal and state charges following a targeted shooting spree that left Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband dead and Sen. John Hoffman and his wife injured. Boelter appeared in federal court Monday, where chilling new details emerged, including messages sent to his family in the hours after the attacks.
According to federal prosecutors, Boelter sent a text at 6:18 a.m. Saturday to his wife and other family members, stating, “Dad went to war last night… I don’t wanna say more because I don’t wanna implicate anybody.” In another message to his wife, he warned, “There’s gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy and I don’t want you guys around.”
Boelter’s court appearance was quiet but revealing. Wearing an orange jumpsuit, unshackled, he walked into the courtroom and appeared calm, even casual, while speaking with his attorney. He stated he couldn’t afford legal representation and was assigned counsel through the federal defenders office. His next court hearing is scheduled for June 27.
Federal authorities revealed that Boelter had a list of four targets. In addition to successfully attacking Hortman and Hoffman, he also attempted to reach two other lawmakers: Ann Rest in New Hope and another unnamed legislator in Maple Grove. Boelter rang the doorbell at the Maple Grove home but found the family away on vacation. In New Hope, police approached his vehicle, but he left the scene when more officers arrived.
Boelter was ultimately arrested Sunday night in Green Isle, Minnesota, following what officials say was the largest manhunt in the state’s history. The scale and planning of the attack point to a deliberate attempt to assassinate political figures.
His alleged motivation remains under investigation, though law enforcement sources previously reported finding political flyers in his car. His actions have sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s political community and raised alarms nationwide over the safety of public officials.
