A man has now been taken into custody following the shootings of two Democratic lawmakers. Authorities say he was disguised as a police officer, “wearing a ballistic vest, gloves and a mask” per the New York Times, when he arrived at the politicians’ home.
On Saturday, the suspect, Vance Boelter, shot and wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He then killed State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in what’s being described as one of the most serious acts of political violence in Minnesota’s recent history.
After a nearly two-day manhunt, Boelter was arrested in the woods near Green Isle, a small town where he had a home with his wife and children. He was reportedly armed, but no one was harmed during his arrest. He’s been charged with two counts of murder in the second degree and two counts of attempted murder in the second degree, per the Minnesota Star Tribune.
The assault has sparked outrage and alarm across the political spectrum, with leaders on both sides condemning the violence. Former Vice President Mike Pence called the attack “an outrage that must be universally condemned.”
For some, the loss was deeply personal. Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar, who knew Hortman well, called her an “incredible woman” and mourned her as both a public servant and a friend. “You can never really be balanced in politics,” Klobuchar said, “but she did as well as anyone at balancing that — and balancing her marriage and her kids.” She also reflected on the growing threat of political violence, saying, “It’s not just numbers. It’s people like Melissa.”
While investigators continue digging into a possible motive, here’s a closer look at the alleged shooter, his background, and the political views that may have shaped him.
Who is Vance Boelter?
Boelter is listed as a director of Praetorian Guard Security Services, a Minnesota-based private security firm he co-runs with his wife, who is named as the company’s president and CEO. The business advertises itself as offering exclusively armed services and claims to operate a fleet of Ford Explorer S.U.V.s — “the same make and model of vehicles that many police departments use,” according to its website.
Praetorian’s website also highlights Boelter’s purported international experience, stating that he has been “involved with security situations” in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. It further claims he has worked for “the world’s largest food company based in Switzerland and the world’s largest convenience retailer based in Japan,” though it does not name those companies or provide documentation.
Tim Koch, owner of local funeral home Metro First Call, told The Minnesota Star Tribune that Boelter worked at his company from August 2023 until February 2025, when he voluntarily left.
Boelter also held appointed roles in state government, serving on Minnesota’s workforce development boards under two governors. In 2016, then-Governor Mark Dayton named him to the Governor’s Workforce Development Council for a two-year term. He was later appointed by Governor Tim Walz in 2019 to the Governor’s Workforce Development Board — a panel of business leaders from “all parties” tasked with advising state policy, where he served until early 2023. In his nomination letter, Walz praised Boelter’s “integrity, judgment, and ability.”
According to CNN, Boelter served on that same board alongside State Sen. John Hoffman, who was one of the surviving victims of the shooting. The two appeared together in a 2022 virtual meeting focused on rebuilding the job market after the Covid-19 pandemic. Still, the nature of their relationship (if any) remains unclear, according to Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
Boelter’s educational background includes a doctorate in leadership and a master’s degree in management from Cardinal Stritch University, as well as a bachelor’s degree in international relations from St. Cloud State University, according to his LinkedIn profile.
What do we know about his political views?
Boelter’s political affiliation appears somewhat fluid. According to state records, he was registered as a Republican in the early 2000s. A 2016 state report categorized him as “none or other,” and a 2020 report listed him as having “no party preference.” It’s worth noting that Minnesota does not require voters to declare a political party when registering.
Despite the lack of a clear party affiliation on paper, Boelter’s longtime friend David Carlson told CNN that Boelter voted for President Trump. While he wasn’t especially vocal about his political views publicly, Boelter did encourage people to vote in a LinkedIn post in November 2018.
“I think the election is going to have more of an impact on the direction of our country than probably any election we have been apart of, or will be apart of for years to come,” he said at the time.
Boelter, who identified as an evangelical Christian and frequently traveled to Africa as a preacher, appeared to hold strong anti-abortion views. Several individuals reportedly named on his hit list were connected to Planned Parenthood.
He was also reportedly critical of the LGBTQ community. In one recorded sermon, Boelter claimed that people were uncertain of their sexual orientation because “the enemy has gotten so far into their mind and their soul.”
Do we know what his motive was?
While police said they are still investigating a motive for the attacks, authorities say Boelter appeared to target people based on political ideology. According to CNN, his list included not only Planned Parenthood officials but also Democratic lawmakers, including Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Tina Smith. Some state leaders, including Walz, have suggested the attack was politically motivated. Police also said they found fliers for anti-Trump protests in Boelter’s car, raising concerns that he may have planned to target those events as well.
Carlson, a longtime friend of the alleged shooter, said Boelter had been grappling with financial strain and mental health issues in recent years — challenges investigators may now be weighing as they search for answers.
Those details have surfaced as the attack continues to rattle Minnesota’s political community and intensify concerns about the rise in political violence.
