According to federal court documents, the man accused of gunning down a Minnesota senator and state representative, as well as their wives, in a series of “politically motivated” shootings on Saturday sent a chilling text message to his family after the bloodshed ended, writing, “Dad went to war last night.”
Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested on Sunday and is already fighting for a delay in his case. In a motion to continue his detention and preliminary hearing filed on Monday, Boelter’s lawyer stated that he needed “additional time” to meet with his client, review potential discovery, and “investigate accordingly.”
“Mr. Boelter was arrested on the evening of June 15, 2025,” his attorneys stated. “He was brought to the Federal Courthouse around 10:30 a.m. today. He has been charged by criminal complaint with two counts of stalking (potential life sentence), two counts of murder by firearm (death or life sentence), and two counts of using a firearm in furtherance of such crimes (minimum ten years). Given the seriousness of the allegations and the potential consequences (death), more time is required to prepare for a detention hearing.”
According to Boelter’s federal arrest affidavit, which was unsealed on Monday after being filed over the weekend, the Minnesota father texted several members of his family after shooting Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife at their Champlin home, as well as Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, early Saturday morning.
“I don’t wanna say more because I don’t wanna implicate anybody,” Boelter allegedly wrote. “Words will not express how sorry I am for this situation. There will be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy, and I do not want you guys around.”
Champlin Police responded to the Hoffmans’ home around 2 a.m. on Saturday and discovered the couple alive despite having gunshot wounds. Boetler allegedly moved on to the Hortmans’ Brooklyn Park home and killed them around 3:30 a.m., with officers arriving minutes later and being met with bullets as Boetler exited and fled on foot, according to officials.
Police say Boetler was wearing police gear and a mask during the shootings. A vehicle resembling a police SUV with flashing lights was found outside the Hortman home, along with a manifesto containing the names of other targets, according to police. According to the affidavit, police were able to search Boelter’s vehicle because his wife allegedly consented to the search. Investigators allegedly discovered several guns, passports, and approximately $10,000 in cash.
If found guilty, Boelter could be sentenced to death. He faces additional state charges, including first-degree murder.
