Authorities say a gunman blamed Gov. Tim Walz for ordering a political assassination in a jumbled letter to federal agents, just before carrying out one of the most violent political attacks in Minnesota history.

Vance Boelter is accused of fatally shooting former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and critically injuring State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in a coordinated assault targeting prominent Democrats, as the Daily Mail reports.

The pre-dawn violence began around 2 a.m. last Saturday, when Boelter allegedly arrived at the home of Sen. Hoffman in Champlin, a northern suburb of Minneapolis. He is accused of shooting Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who both survived but remain hospitalized in critical condition. Soon after, Boelter reportedly drove to Brooklyn Park and fatally shot Hortman and her husband, Mark, inside their home.

A family's Golden Retriever was also injured in the second attack and later put down due to the severity of its wounds. At the scene, investigators found three AK-47 rifles and a 9mm handgun left behind. As Boelter fled the house, police arrived and engaged him in a brief gunfight. He managed to escape on foot, sparking what officials described as the most extensive manhunt in the state’s history.

Boelter's conspiracy-filled note

Law enforcement tracked Boelter across multiple counties and states after locating an abandoned Buick Regal he had allegedly purchased from a stranger to avoid detection. Inside the vehicle, FBI agents uncovered a one-and-a-half-page handwritten letter filled with fragmented thoughts, paranoid accusations, and alleged confessions.

In the letter, Boelter claimed that Walz had secretly instructed him to kill U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar to forcibly vacate her Senate seat. He also asserted that he had received covert military training. The letter named several others, including Sen. Tina Smith, and referenced the killings of the Hortmans and the attempted murder of the Hoffmans.

Alongside the letter, agents discovered five loaded firearms, dozens of ready-to-use ammunition magazines, and a spreadsheet-style hit list naming 45 people. The list included Democrat lawmakers, reproductive rights advocates, and staff from abortion clinics.

Shooter tracked, captured near home

Boelter was located Sunday evening, June 22, roughly a mile from his residence in Green Isle. A neighbor spotted him hiding beside a drainage culvert, and officers moved in to make the arrest. He was taken into custody without further violence and is now being held at the Sherburne County Jail in Elk River.

The manhunt had utilized trail cameras and other surveillance tools to close in on the beleaguered suspect. Authorities confirmed that Boelter was a known “doomsday prepper,” which may explain his weapons cache and strategic movements after the crime.

Jenny Boelter, Vance’s wife and co-owner of the couple’s private security firm, left their home early Saturday with their five children after receiving alarming messages. At 6:18 a.m., she received a chilling text from her husband: “Dad went to war last night.” In a follow-up message, Boelter warned her that "armed and trigger-happy" people would be coming to the home.

Wife found with weapons, cash

Jenny was stopped that afternoon in Onamia, about 90 miles north of their home, with two pistols, $10,000 in cash, multiple passports, and their youngest children in the vehicle. Though she cooperated with investigators and allowed a search of her devices, no charges have been filed against her. Her brother, Jason Doskocil, responded harshly to reporters seeking comment, telling them to “piss off.” Authorities have not publicly accused Jenny of any involvement in the shootings.

Federal prosecutors have charged Boelter with six serious federal crimes, two of which could result in the death penalty. Though Minnesota abolished capital punishment in 1911, federal law allows for its use in extreme cases, prompting debate between state and federal authorities on who should prosecute first.

Federal-state dispute unfolds

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty emphasized the importance of trying Boelter in Minnesota first, stating that her office is fully capable of handling such grave charges. “We have all the resources and experience to handle these cases,” she said. “We feel that we owe it to the community to prosecute this case.”

Moriarty has publicly voiced her opposition to the death penalty, emphasizing that it does not reflect the values of Minnesota residents. However, Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said federal prosecutors “have not yet decided” whether to seek the ultimate punishment, calling it "one of the options."

Klobuchar, one of the named targets in Boelter’s conspiracy letter, expressed gratitude for law enforcement’s swift efforts. “Boelter is a very dangerous man, and I am deeply grateful that law enforcement got him behind bars before he killed other people,” she said.

Lessons to learn

1. Warning signs should never be ignored. Boelter’s background as a doomsday prepper, along with his statements to his wife, hinted at a deteriorating mental state and potential for violence. Sudden, threatening behavior—especially involving weapons—should always be reported.

2. Secure communication can aid investigations. Jenny Boelter wisely cooperated with law enforcement, which helped build a clearer picture of Boelter's intentions. This case highlights the importance of preserving communication data and voluntarily assisting authorities when serious crimes occur.

3. Even tight-knit communities are not immune. The affected areas in Champlin and Brooklyn Park are considered quiet and safe. This serves as a reminder that violent acts can erupt anywhere, and while precautions matter, the blame must always lie with the perpetrator, not the victims.

Why this story matters

This case underscores the growing risk of politically motivated violence and highlights the importance of communication between state and federal authorities.

It has reopened dialogue about capital punishment in a state where it has not been applied for over a century. Finally, it serves as a sobering reminder that political extremism can escalate to tragic and deadly outcomes.