Overview

• Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested on June 14 after impersonating a law enforcement officer and killing Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband while wounding Rep. John Hoffman and his wife at their homes.
• Investigators recovered a ‘No King’s Day’ flyer and a 45-name “hit list” targeting mostly Democratic officials, prompting federal authorities to probe potential extremist connections.
• Boelter faces state counts of second-degree murder, attempted murder and stalking, along with six federal charges including first-degree murder and firearm offenses.
• A 2024 Brennan Center for Justice report found that nearly half of surveyed state lawmakers experienced threats or attacks in the past three years, highlighting a surge in political violence.
• Political scientists warn that deepening polarization and incendiary rhetoric create conditions conducive to lone-actor violence and call on leaders to adopt responsible discourse.