How is Vance Boelter linked to John Hoffman? Relationship nature explored as the former was arrested for the Senator's shooting

Following the shooting and killing of Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, and her husband, Mark, in their home on Saturday, June 14, Vance Boelter has been arrested as the prime suspect.

Vance also attacked the state senator John A Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, on the same day he attacked the Hortmans. He shot John and his wife on the early morning of June 14, 2025, at their home in Champlin, Minnesota. He was arrested in Sibley County on Sunday on June 15, 2025.

John and his wife Yvette underwent surgeries and are currently recovering after they were seriously wounded by Boelter in a politically motivated attack. As per CBS News, Boelter served on a state board with John Hoffman for more than six years. Police are still investigating whether Boelter knew the Hoffmans and the Hortmans personally.

Vance Boelter arrested for two separate attacks and killings

Vance Boelter on Saturday first attacked Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home in Champlin, Minnesota. Boelter dressed up as a police officer and barged his way inside to their house. He then shot Senator Hoffman 9 times and Yvette 8 times.

During the incident, Yvette shielded their daughter from the attack. Both John and Yvette were then rushed to the hospital, where they were treated for their wounds.

Vance carried out the second attack on Saturday at around 3:35 a.m. He went to House Speaker Melissa Hortman's home, impersonating a police officer. He went inside and opened fire. Melissa died on the spot, and her husband Mark, who was also shot, was taken to the hospital, where he succumbed to his injuries.

After a two-day manhunt, Boelter was caught by the police, hiding in the woods in Green Isle, in Sibley County. He is facing two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, as per The Guardian.

As per reports, John Hoffman and Vance served on Minnesota's Governor’s Workforce Development Board, but it has not yet been confirmed if the two knew each other personally.

The police have retrieved the vehicle of Boelter, and they found a hit list which had names of many democrats other than the Hoffmans and the Hortmans. The names included the state Attorney General Keith Ellison, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Gov. Walz. According to ABC News, the hit list also included the names of abortion providers and pro-choice activists.

The Democratic National Committee Chair, Ken Martin, made a statement on the attack, who was friends with both of the victims of the attack. He said:

''Speaker Hortman was a leader in every sense of the word -- from ushering in free lunch for our kids, to protecting women's rights and reproductive care, to standing up for Minnesota families.''

He continued:

''Melissa was also a close friend whom I've known since the very start of her political career. She was someone I personally relied on for advice, counsel, and friendship and I am beyond words. As I said many times when I introduced her at events, she is the very best Speaker of the House that Minnesota has ever had."

Vance is currently in custody, and the first case hearing was held on June 16, 2025, where the state-level charges were officially filed and a complaint was unsealed.

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