What began as a typical weekend in suburban Minnesota turned into a shocking manhunt involving murdered lawmakers, conspiracy claims, and a suspect with delusions of grandeur.
At the center of it all is 57-year-old Vance Boelter, now accused of orchestrating a politically motivated killing spree and penning a bizarre letter filled with wild allegations against the state’s governor.
Alleged Killings, Confessions, and a Wild FBI Letter
Authorities say Boelter fatally shot former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday.
Just before that, he allegedly wounded Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who lived only a few miles away.
In a dramatic twist, police found a letter Boelter had written to the FBI, found in a Buick near his home, claiming Governor Tim Walz ordered him to assassinate Senator Amy Klobuchar so Walz could supposedly take her Senate seat.
The letter, described by law enforcement as incoherent and conspiracy-laced, also included confessions to the shootings.
According to reports, Boelter rambled about being secretly trained by the military and having a “hit list” of liberal politicians and public figures.
High-Profile Names Dragged Into Conspiracy Claims
Along with Klobuchar, who currently has no plans to step down and whose term runs until 2030, the letter also named fellow Democratic Senator Tina Smith.
There is no evidence backing up Boelter’s outlandish claims, and a spokesperson for the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said nothing in the investigation links Governor Walz to any of the alleged plots.
Governor Walz expressed gratitude to the officers who caught Boelter and called the situation “deeply disturbing for all Minnesotans.”
Klobuchar echoed that sentiment, calling Boelter “a very dangerous man.”
Doomsday Prepper with a Deadly Agenda
Adding to the disturbing picture, officials later revealed that Boelter was a self-described doomsday prepper with access to multiple firearms.
What’s more alarming is the potential for Boelter to face the death penalty—a rarity in Minnesota, where capital punishment has been abolished since 1911.
However, federal prosecutors have charged him with crimes that carry that possibility.
Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson noted it’s too early to say whether they’ll pursue that sentence, but confirmed Boelter meticulously planned his attacks and had dozens of other Democrats on a hit list, including public officials from other states.
State and Federal Prosecutors Clash Over Trial Control
The federal charges have sparked tension between state and federal authorities.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, a known opponent of the death penalty, insists her office should prosecute Boelter first since the crimes occurred locally.
Moriarty, elected after the killing of George Floyd on a platform of justice reform, said her office has the resources to handle such high-stakes cases.
She emphasized that Minnesota’s values don’t align with capital punishment, and she hopes the federal government respects that.
Nonetheless, federal prosecutors appear determined to proceed first.
Inside the Manhunt and Boelter’s Capture
Boelter’s arrest came after Minnesota’s largest-ever manhunt.
He was tracked down Sunday evening, two days after the shootings.
According to investigators, Boelter had dressed as a police officer and wore a latex mask during the attacks.
He shot Senator Hoffman and his wife on the doorstep of their Champlin home before driving to Brooklyn Park, where he murdered the Hortmans.
Authorities say his plan included 45 potential targets ranging from Democrat lawmakers to abortion providers.
When officers confronted him at the Hortmans’ home, Boelter escaped, leaving behind three AK-47 rifles and a 9mm handgun.
Family on Edge, Wife Goes Into Hiding
As Boelter went on the run, his wife Jenny, 51, vanished with their children.
She reportedly received a 6:18 a.m. text from Boelter hinting at violence: “Dad went to war last night.”
Jenny fled their rural home with their youngest kids, $10,000 in cash, two firearms, and their passports.
Though she was stopped by police 90 miles away, she wasn’t arrested and has remained hidden since.
Jenny is president of the family’s private security business.
While she allowed authorities to search her electronics, investigators haven’t found evidence that she knew about Boelter’s plans in advance.
Boelter’s Court Path Ahead
Boelter now sits in Sherburne County Jail, awaiting his next federal court appearance on June 27.
His legal team hasn’t made any public comments, and no state court dates have been scheduled yet.
With both state and federal prosecutors eyeing the case, the legal proceedings are expected to be long and contentious.
In the meantime, Boelter’s chilling rampage, bizarre claims, and meticulous planning have sent shockwaves through Minnesota and beyond.
As authorities dig deeper into his motives and mental state, many are left grappling with the sheer scope of the violence—and the unsettling warning signs that preceded it.