The question who shot minnesota lawmakers surged after the June 2025 attacks that killed Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and wounded State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. In the days that followed, investigators named 57-year-old Vance Boelter as the suspect; he was captured after a two-day manhunt and now faces federal and state charges, including murder, attempted murder, stalking, and firearms offenses. Authorities say he maintained a list targeting Democratic officials and allied figures. He has pleaded not guilty in federal court; the case is ongoing and presumption of innocence applies.
Who shot minnesota lawmakers?
Authorities have charged Vance Boelter, 57, in the June 2025 shootings that killed Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and wounded State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Prosecutors allege he targeted Democratic officials; Boelter has pleaded not guilty, and the case is ongoing. Always consult current court records and credible outlets for updates.
Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings Verified Timeline and Charges
In the early hours of June 14, 2025, gunfire struck two Minnesota political families. Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot at their Champlin home and hospitalized. A short time later, police checking on the home of Melissa Hortman—Speaker Emerita of the Minnesota House—encountered gunfire; Hortman and her husband, Mark, were found fatally shot. The attacks prompted the most extensive manhunt in Minnesota history. Wikipedia
By the evening of June 15, 2025, authorities announced the arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, 57, of Green Isle. Federal prosecutors charged him with stalking and firearms counts tied to the murders and attempted murders; state charges include homicide and attempted homicide, with prosecutors indicating they would seek first-degree counts before a grand jury. Boelter has entered a not-guilty plea in federal court. Proceedings continue. Department of Justice +2 ABC News +2 — for a rolling chronology of key moments, see this minute timer to follow the events as they unfolded.
From the start, investigators framed the case as a targeted political attack against Democratic lawmakers and allied individuals. Subsequent filings and reports described a list of potential targets. In parallel with the criminal process, Minnesota politics had to adapt: a special election was called to fill Hortman’s seat, ultimately won by Xp Lee, restoring the House to full strength and a 67–67 partisan split. AP News +1
The killings deepened national concern about political violence. Coverage also documented online misinformation, including false narratives about who condemned the shootings and why. Fact-checkers and mainstream outlets corrected these claims, emphasizing that many Republicans publicly denounced the attack and that attribution of motives must track court-tested evidence, not social media conjecture. FactCheck.org +1
As you consider responsibility for the Minnesota attacks, two realities should guide you. First, credible sources converge on the same answer: authorities charge Vance Boelter with the shootings. Second, in the American system, charges are allegations; guilt is determined in court. Any complete explanation must hold those truths together: a firm grasp of the public record, and humility about outcomes that only the legal process can decide. Department of Justice +1
Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings Federal and State Counts
A plain-English snapshot of the case: the charges in federal and state court, the current plea, alleged targeting details, and the ripple effects for Minnesota governance.
Federal and state counts
Federal prosecutors filed stalking and firearms charges connected to the murders and attempted murders. State prosecutors filed homicide and attempted homicide counts and signaled first-degree upgrades via grand jury. Department of Justice +1
Suspect’s plea and status
On Aug. 7, 2025, Boelter pleaded not guilty in federal court. He remains accused, not convicted; proceedings and motions will shape the timeline ahead. ABC News
Alleged targeting and list
Investigators and reports reference an alleged list of officials and advocates, indicating political targeting. Courts will weigh which evidence is admissible and persuasive. Department of Justice +1
Impact on governance
The Minnesota House returned to full strength after the special election for Hortman’s seat—won by Xp Lee—while the Senate navigates its own vacancies and special races. AP News
Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings Name Charged and Key Dates
A quick, verified snapshot—who was charged, key victims and dates, where it happened, the alleged motive, and the current plea—pulled from DOJ filings and major outlets.
- Name charged: Vance Luther Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, Minnesota, per federal complaint and state filings. He has pleaded not guilty. Department of Justice +1
- Victims: Melissa Hortman (Speaker Emerita) and her husband, Mark, killed; Sen. John Hoffman and Yvette Hoffman wounded and hospitalized. Wikipedia
- Dates: Attacks occurred June 14, 2025; capture on June 15, 2025; federal not-guilty plea Aug. 7, 2025. Wikipedia +1
- Locations: Champlin (Hoffmans) and Brooklyn Park (Hortmans), Minnesota; arrest in Green Isle. Wikipedia
- How authorities describe motive: Prosecutors allege political targeting of Democratic lawmakers and related figures; filings and reporting mention a list of potential targets. Final motive findings rest with the courts. Department of Justice
- Key federal charges: Stalking using an interactive computer service; use/discharge of a firearm in relation to stalking—tied to murder and attempted murder allegations. Department of Justice
- Key state charges: Murder and attempted murder (with prosecutors signaling first-degree upgrades via grand jury). Wikipedia
- Legislative aftermath: Special election filled Hortman’s seat; Xp Lee’s win restored the chamber to 67–67 and continued a power-sharing arrangement. AP News
- Why wording matters: In legal contexts, say “charged” or “accused” until a conviction. This prevents misinformation and respects due process.
- Misinformation watch: Viral claims mischaracterized partisan reactions and motives. Fact-checkers show such narratives were false or unsupported; always verify before sharing. FactCheck.org
- National context: The case fed broader conversations about political violence and how officials respond, with major outlets following both the investigation and the state’s governance challenges.
- Staying current: Follow primary documents (DOJ press releases, court dockets) and mainstream outlets; consider brief, periodic checks during breaking updates to avoid doom-scrolling while staying informed.
- Ethical note: Families, staff, and communities are grieving. Share only information you can attribute to reliable sources.
Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings Context Consequences and Response
After the June 2025 shootings, Minnesota’s legislative work didn’t simply pause. Leaders balanced grief with governance while managing a finely split House. With Xp Lee’s special-election victory, the chamber returned to full strength at 67–67 and continued a power-sharing arrangement under Speaker Lisa Demuth, keeping the two-year budget process on track. The Senate faced vacancies and special races that weren’t expected to alter control, so policy calendars largely held.
At the same time, an information crisis unfolded. Posts recast the tragedy through partisan lenses or speculated about motives. Fact-checkers documented public condemnations from across the spectrum and urged basic hygiene: cite sources, distinguish “charged” from “convicted,” and favor primary documents over viral claims. Careful language and restraint help communities process events without amplifying falsehoods.
Legally, the accused has pleaded not guilty. Federal and state cases can advance in parallel, with prosecutors signaling potential first-degree counts via grand jury. Expect a deliberate path—discovery, motions, hearings, and, if warranted, trial—rather than instant closure. That pace protects due-process rights while the public record develops through evidence, not assumption.
Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings Verified Timeline and Charges
Get the essentials at a glance—who’s been charged, how investigators linked the incidents, what changed at the Capitol, and how to verify updates without amplifying rumors.
The confirmed suspect & charges (what we can say)
Authorities charged Vance Boelter; he has pleaded not guilty. Courts will determine facts and guilt. Department of Justice +1
How investigators tied events together (how it unfolded)
Early-morning shootings at two homes; multi-agency manhunt; arrest within ~36 hours; filings citing stalking and firearms offenses. Wikipedia
Political and community impact (why it matters)
Loss of a longtime legislative leader; shock to communities; rapid special election to fill the seat; renewed debates on safety. AP News
Avoid viral spin (how to verify)
Cross-check with DOJ releases, AP, and other mainstream outlets; beware posts that oversimplify motive or reactions. Department of Justice +2 AP News +2
Conclusion
When people ask who shot minnesota lawmakers, the responsible, sourced answer is this: Authorities have charged Vance Boelter in the June 2025 attacks that killed Melissa Hortman and wounded John and Yvette Hoffman; he has pleaded not guilty, and the case continues. Minnesota’s institutions carried on—filling the vacant House seat and managing a tied chamber—while communities mourned and pushed back against misinformation. Keep your language precise, your sources verifiable, and your empathy intact as this high-stakes case moves forward.
FAQ’s
Who is charged in the case?
Vance Boelter, 57, is charged federally and at the state level in connection with the shootings and has pleaded not guilty. (Department of Justice)
Who were the victims?
Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed; Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were wounded and hospitalized. (Public reporting/Wikipedia)
Was there a political motive?
Prosecutors allege targeted attacks on Democratic officials and related figures; final determinations about motive rest with the courts. (Department of Justice)
What happened to the vacant House seat?
A special election seated Xp Lee, restoring the Minnesota House to full strength with a 67–67 split. (AP News)
How can I avoid misinformation about the case?
Rely on primary documents (e.g., DOJ press releases and court filings) and established outlets; be skeptical of viral posts and check reputable fact-checks before sharing. (Department of Justice, fact-checkers)
