Minneapolis, MN — The manhunt is over, but the nightmare he left behind is just beginning.

Vance Luther Boelter, the 57-year-old former government appointee accused of gunning down Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband and wounding a sitting senator and his wife, was captured alive Sunday evening after an intense 43-hour manhunt involving drones, helicopters, and over 200 officers across state, local, and federal lines.

The political assassin, who wore a police uniform and Halloween mask during the attacks, is now in custody — and investigators say he had a hit list with nearly 70 names of lawmakers and abortion rights advocates.

🕵️‍♂️ The Face of Evil Caught in the Woods

Boelter was found in a rural area of Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis, after a trail camera image alerted authorities to his location. SWAT teams surrounded the field where he was hiding. When they closed in, he crawled toward officers and surrendered without a fight.

“This was the largest manhunt in the state’s history,” said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley. “We’re relieved that the killer is in custody and the public is safe.”

A photo posted by the Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office shows Boelter on his knees, hands behind his back, flanked by officers. The caption read simply: “The face of evil.”

🔫 The Killings That Shook Minnesota

The rampage began just after 2 a.m. Saturday morning at the Champlin home of Senator John Hoffman, 60, a Democrat. Boelter, dressed as a police officer, entered the home and opened fire, seriously wounding Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who reportedly threw herself over their daughter to shield her from the bullets.

Just hours later, Boelter arrived at the Brooklyn Park home of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, 55, and fatally shot both her and her husband Mark.

Hortman died at the scene. Her husband died later at a nearby hospital.

When police responded to the second scene, they briefly exchanged gunfire with Boelter, who managed to escape despite being cornered inside the house.

📱 A Final Message and a Chilling Manifesto

Shortly after the shootings, Boelter sent a text message to two close friends:

“David and Ron, I love you guys. I made some choices… I’m going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly… I wish it hadn’t gone this way.”

What police found next was even more disturbing: a “manifesto” in his fake police vehicle containing names of nearly 70 potential targets — Minnesota lawmakers, abortion rights advocates, and reproductive health care clinics.

Authorities say the list included people Boelter believed had “betrayed the country.”

🧠 Motive Still Unclear, but Politics Loom Large

Boelter previously served on a state workforce development board alongside Senator Hoffman. Though no formal motive has been released, law enforcement and political analysts suggest the murders were politically motivated.

His roommate, David Carlson, told reporters Boelter supported Donald Trump, was anti-abortion, and often critical of “radical liberals,” but didn’t seem dangerous.

“He was political, yeah. But not like… this,” Carlson said. “He didn’t talk about hurting anyone. He didn’t even like confrontation.”

Boelter’s wife, Jenny Boelter, was detained for questioning while traveling with family on Saturday morning. Police found passports and a weapon in the vehicle, but she was released without charges.

⚖️ Charges, Justice, and Fallout

Boelter is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, with additional federal charges likely to follow. Officials are treating the case as a domestic political terror event.

“This was a betrayal of everything our badge and uniform stand for,” said Bob Jacobson, Commissioner of Minnesota’s Department of Public Safety. “He used that trust — and turned it into horror.”

Governor Tim Walz vowed to bring Boelter to justice, stating:

“One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota. But you can rest assured: we will not rest until justice is fully served.”

As tributes pour in for the slain lawmaker and her husband, and prayers continue for Senator Hoffman and his wife as they recover, one truth is painfully clear:

This wasn’t just a crime.
It was an attack on democracy itself.