“Dad went to war last night”: Chilling details emerge from Minnesota lawmaker shootings

What was the full timeline of the Minnesota shootings that targeted lawmakers’ homes before the suspect was captured?

In the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, federal authorities say Vance Boelter executed a calculated series of attacks on four Minnesota Democratic lawmakers. Disguised in a hyper-realistic silicone mask and impersonating a police officer, Boelter arrived at Senator John Hoffman’s home in Champlin. Shining a flashlight and claiming there was a shooting reported at the address, he attempted to lure the family into opening the door. When Hoffman and his wife Yvette resisted and challenged his identity, Boelter reportedly forced entry, declared it was a robbery, and opened fire—injuring both spouses.

Boelter then drove to the home of another lawmaker in Maple Grove, but that family was away on vacation. His next destination was New Hope, where he parked outside State Senator Ann Rest’s home. A police officer responding to reports of suspicious activity mistook Boelter’s marked SUV and tactical appearance for a legitimate law enforcement presence. When he remained unresponsive, she moved on. Rest later said she believed the officer’s presence saved her life.

Finally, Boelter appeared at the Brooklyn Park residence of Representative Melissa Hortman, a former House Speaker. As police arrived, they saw Boelter standing outside the front door with emergency lights flashing on his SUV. He fired at officers and then forced his way into the house, fatally shooting both Melissa and Mark Hortman before escaping through the back. A massive 36-hour manhunt followed, ending with Boelter’s arrest near his farm in Green Isle. Authorities said he was armed at the time but taken into custody without resistance.

What evidence suggests that the suspect had planned the attacks as targeted political assassinations?

According to federal prosecutors, the depth of Boelter’s preparation was staggering. Inside his SUV, investigators found multiple firearms, ammunition, masks, tactical vests, and handwritten notebooks. One notebook listed more than 45 elected officials, including notes next to Melissa Hortman’s name such as “Big house off golf course, 2 ways in to watch from one spot.” The implication was clear: Boelter surveilled targets, noted vulnerabilities, and planned execution strategies.

Federal officials, including Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson, described the attacks as “targeted political assassinations.” In a press conference, Thompson said the evidence was “the stuff of nightmares.” Surveillance footage, digital communications, and Boelter’s journals all pointed to a methodical plan that involved impersonation, stalking, and lethal intent.

Notably, authorities recovered a “target list” that included public officials from across the Democratic spectrum, such as Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Senator Tina Smith, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, and abortion-rights advocates. Many were identified by their policy stances.

What has been revealed about the background, affiliations, and possible motivations of Vance Boelter?

Boelter, 57, held a doctorate in leadership and previously claimed to have experience in international relations, missionary evangelism, and private security. However, those claims remain under scrutiny, with no official records confirming his military or security service. He had registered several businesses, including one called Praetorian Guard Security Services.

Though a motive has not been officially determined, indirect cues from the investigation suggest anti-abortion extremism may have played a role. Some of the lawmakers on Boelter’s list were specifically associated with reproductive rights. Investigators are also exploring whether Boelter held conspiratorial or anti-government beliefs, given the intensity of his planning and impersonation tactics.

Court documents show that after the shootings, Boelter withdrew $2,200 in cash, tried to buy a used car, and sent disturbing text messages to family members. In one, he wrote, “Dad went to war last night … I don’t wanna say more because I don’t want to implicate anybody.” In another to his wife, he said, “Words are not gonna explain how sorry I am … there’s gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy.”

In his wife’s car, law enforcement found two handguns, approximately $10,000 in cash, and passports belonging to her and her children.

What charges has the suspect been indicted on and what is the expected legal process ahead?

Boelter is facing both federal and state charges. Federal prosecutors have charged him with interstate stalking, use of a firearm in relation to a violent crime, and murder in connection with stalking—six counts in total. State prosecutors have charged him with second-degree murder for the deaths of the Hortmans and attempted murder for the shootings of the Hoffmans. First-degree murder charges are being weighed as further evidence is reviewed.

He made a brief appearance in U.S. District Court on June 17, wearing a standard orange jail uniform. Boelter told the court he has $20,000 to $30,000 in his bank account and requested a public defender. A joint preliminary and detention hearing has been scheduled for June 27.

Prosecutors have not ruled out the possibility of seeking the death penalty, citing the politically targeted nature of the crimes and the use of impersonation and premeditated violence.

How have elected officials and the broader public reacted to the incident and what are the implications for political safety?

The killings have reverberated far beyond Minnesota’s borders. State Senator Ann Rest, who narrowly escaped the attacks, released a public statement thanking law enforcement for saving her life and mourning the loss of Representative Hortman and her husband. Governor Tim Walz called the shootings “an unthinkable act of political violence,” while U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith said they were “heartbroken and horrified.”

At the federal level, the incident has reignited debate over lawmaker safety amid rising political polarization. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez called for “systemic protections” for officials targeted by ideological extremism. Meanwhile, conservative backlash emerged after U.S. Senator Mike Lee publicly speculated that the suspect was “influenced by Marxist doctrine,” a statement that drew criticism for politicizing the tragedy.

Security protocols are already being reviewed at the Minnesota State Capitol. Law enforcement leaders, including FBI Minneapolis special agent Alvin Winston, have stressed that impersonation of police officers to gain access to private homes represents a new and dangerous threat pattern.

What does this case reveal about growing threats to U.S. democratic institutions and elected officials?

The Minnesota shootings underscore a worrying trend: political violence is no longer hypothetical in American public life. Experts from institutions such as the Brennan Center and Southern Poverty Law Center have warned that extremism—both ideological and operational—is increasingly targeting public servants at the local and state levels.

The impersonation of law enforcement, use of realistic disguises, and detailed surveillance suggest a level of sophistication not previously seen in most lone-wolf attacks. Lawmakers from both parties are now calling for improved emergency communication systems, better coordination between local and federal law enforcement, and possible legislative action to deter impersonation of officers.

Whether the U.S. political system can respond fast enough to this emerging threat remains an open question. For now, communities in Minnesota are mourning the loss of a respected public servant while bracing for a lengthy legal battle in one of the most shocking political crime cases in recent memory.