Vance Boelter was arrested on Sunday, June 15, 2025. Photo: Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office
On the morning of Saturday, June 14, Vance Boelter of Green Isle, Minnesota is alleged to have stalked and murdered Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as stalking and shooting Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife in their homes. The murders were quickly labeled as a “politically motivated” assassination and a massive manhunt lasting through the weekend ensued. Investigators deployed infrared cameras, drones, helicopters, and K-9 units in their search for Boelter, but it turns out the tool that led them to their suspect was a simple trail camera.
“There is no question that this is the largest manhunt in the state’s history,” said Brooklyn Park, Minnesota Police Chief Mark Bruley. “Just down at the scene where he was taken into custody there was 20 different SWAT teams over an extremely large area hunting this individual down to take him into custody.”
Boelter is accused of shooting Senator John Hoffman and his wife at their home in Champlin, Minnesota before driving to Brooklyn Park where he then killed the Hortmans. He then fled the area and was found 43 hours later approximately 70 miles away in Sibley County. Law enforcement had issued a $100,000 reward to members of the public who could offer information leading to his capture, and when Boelter triggered the sensor of a trail camera in the area, its owners alerted authorities. Ramsey County Sherrif Bob Fletcher acknowledged that that trail camera helped SWAT teams pinpoint Boelter’s location and set a perimeter to close in on him along with the help of drones. Boelter eventually surrendered himself to law enforcement peacefully, crawling through a field as SWAT teams surrounded him.
Vance Boelter was captured after he triggered a wildlife trail camera. Screengrab: Fox 9
Trail cameras, or wildlife cameras, are useful in hunting and conservation of animals primarily. Whereas human observation can interfere with studying animals in the wild. For example, a stationary trail camera offers discreet observation without human presence. They are typically triggered by motion sensors which then capture images or footage of wildlife passing by. In this case, the remote tool helped find a fugitive.
“The Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office is grateful to all of the local, state, and federal agencies responsible for justice in this case. I am thoroughly humbled by the response from law enforcement across the state. Our community is shaken by this violence, which strikes at the very heart of our democracy. Our hearts are with the victims, their loved ones, and our community. Today, we are one step closer to justice as Vance Boelter faces federal charges for his heinous crimes. Our Office stands united in grief and resolve, determined to honor the lives affected and ensure that our communities can begin to heal,” said Hennepin County Sheriff Dawanna Whitt.
Boelter made his initial appearance in U.S. District Court today, before Magistrate Judge John F. Docherty, according to a statement from the DOJ.
