MINNEAPOLIS (WCCO KFGO) – The wife of Vance Boelter, the man accused in the deadly Minnesota lawmaker shootings, released a statement on Thursday calling her husband’s alleged actions “a betrayal.”
Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed inside their Brooklyn Park home in the early morning hours of June 14. Their golden retriever, Gilbert, was also shot and later died from his injuries.
Also targeted in the shootings were Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who were attacked inside their Champlin home about 90 minutes before the Hortmans were killed.
Boelter, 57, faces federal and state murder and attempted murder charges. He was captured some 36 hours after the shootings near his home in Green Isle, about 50 miles southwest of Minneapolis, in what officials say was the largest manhunt in state history.
Jenny Boelter’s full statement, released on her behalf by her legal team:
“On behalf of my children and myself, I want to express our deepest sympathies to the Hortman and Hoffman families. Our condolences are with all who are grieving during this unimaginably difficult time, and we are praying daily for them.
“We are absolutely shocked, heartbroken and completely blindsided. This violence does not at all align with our beliefs as a family. It is a betrayal of everything we hold true as tenets of our Christian faith. We are appalled and horrified by what occurred and our hearts are incredibly heavy for the victims of this unfathomable tragedy.
“From the moment we were first contacted by law enforcement, we have fully cooperated with investigators and responded to their every request. On the morning of June 14, 2025, I received a call from law enforcement and immediately drove to meet agents at a nearby gas station. We were not pulled over; we parked and waited until they arrived. When they did, we voluntarily agreed to meet with them, answer their questions, provide all items they requested, and cooperate with all searches. We are grateful for the diligent and professional efforts of the authorities to fully investigate these crimes. We thank law enforcement for apprehending Vance and protecting others from further harm.”
According to an affidavit filed by an FBI special agent, law enforcement met with Jenny Boelter hours after the shootings in Onamia, where she told investigators her family are “preppers,” meaning they “prepare for major or catastrophic incidents.” She says her husband gave her a “bailout plan,” including a directive to go to her mother’s home in southwestern Wisconsin. Law enforcement also found a gun, ammo, passports and cash inside Jenny Boelter’s vehicle.
According to search warrants, 48 firearms were recovered from the Boelters’ home, as well as “tub of ammunition,” just hours after the shootings. About $18,000 in cash was also found inside, as well as a note card containing the names and states of public officials.
Police confronted Vance Boelter outside the Hortmans’ residence, where he exchanged gunfire with an officer before fleeing out the back door. Investigators soon found multiple AK-47 assault rifles in an SUV registered to Vance Boelter left in the driveway, and notebooks containing the home addresses of several politicians, including Melissa Hortman, and pro-abortion rights advocates.
A search warrant shows police found a ballistic vest, a disassembled 9mm handgun, a silicon mask of an elderly bald man, and a gold police-style badge near the Hortmans’ home.
Vance Boelter also regularly stayed at his childhood friend’s home in north Minneapolis to cut down his work commute time.
In between the two shootings, investigators said Vance Boelter visited the homes of two other Democratic legislators. Those lawmakers have since identified themselves as state Rep. Kristin Bahner and Sen. Ann Rest.
John Hoffman, who was shot nine times, is still in serious but stable condition. Yvette Hoffman, who was shot eight times, is now recovering at home, according to their family.
Vance Boelter is scheduled to appear in federal court in St. Paul for his second hearing on Friday.
Comments