The wife of Vance Boelter, the man accused of shooting and killing State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, has spoken publicly for the first time since the tragedy, expressing shock and sorrow over the violence. In a statement released by her legal team on June 26, Jenny Boelter said her family was “completely blindsided” by the events.
The Tragic Incident
Vance Boelter, 57, is accused of fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, the former Democratic Speaker of the House, and her husband Mark in their Brooklyn Park, Minn. home on June 14, 2025. He also allegedly shot Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in a nearby home, though both survivors of the attack are said to be recovering.
Boelter, who reportedly impersonated a law enforcement officer, is suspected of carrying out the attacks as part of a politically motivated assassination, as described by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Jenny Boelter’s Statement
Jenny Boelter’s statement, shared through Halberg Criminal Defense, conveyed her family’s shock and heartbreak. “We are absolutely shocked, heartbroken and completely blindsided,” Jenny said.
“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.”
Jenny also emphasized that her family had fully cooperated with authorities since the start of the investigation and clarified details regarding her own detainment on the day of the shootings.
She stated that when she was contacted by law enforcement on the morning of June 14, she voluntarily met agents at a gas station, where they conducted a search of her car.
Discovery of Evidence
During the search, authorities reportedly found a gun, passports, and around $10,000 in cash in Jenny’s car, according to an affidavit obtained by ABC News.
The Suspect’s Arrest and Haunting Texts
After a brief exchange of gunfire with police at the Hortman residence, Vance Boelter fled the scene and evaded capture for nearly two days. He was eventually arrested on June 15 in the woods near his home in Green Isle, Minn., following a manhunt described by Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley as the “largest” in the state’s history.
During his time on the run, Boelter reportedly sent disturbing texts to his family. In one message, he allegedly wrote: “Dad went to war last night … I don’t wanna say more because I don’t want to implicate anybody.”
In another text to his wife, he expressed remorse, saying: “Words are not gonna explain how sorry I am for this situation … there’s gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy and I don’t want you guys around.”
Before his arrest, authorities discovered a manifesto in a vehicle linked to Boelter. The manifesto reportedly included a list of names, which investigators believe may have been part of his planned attacks.
Charges Against Vance Boelter
Vance Boelter is facing two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder, as per a criminal complaint.
Prosecutors have also announced plans to pursue first-degree murder charges. In addition to state charges, Boelter is facing federal charges, including stalking, and is scheduled for a federal court appearance on June 27.