In the left inset: there is an image of Minnesota Senator John Hoffman with his wife Yvette Hoffman (source: Facebook). On the right: Shooting suspect Vance Boetler (source: Minnesota Department of Public Safety). The background shows law enforcement at the residence of Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman, who, along with her husband, was tragically killed on Saturday, June 14, 2025, in a second incident following the attack on Hoffman (source: KMSP/YouTube).
The spouse of Minnesota Senator John Hoffman acted heroically during the weekend’s “politically motivated assassination” attempt at their home by protecting their daughter. She reportedly threw herself over the young woman, using her own body to shield her daughter and save her life, according to a family member.
“[Their daughter] was unharmed,” stated Mat Ollig, who is the nephew of John and Yvette Hoffman, in a statement to an NBC local affiliate KARE. Hope Hoffman, the daughter, who is in her 20s, was present at the family’s home in Champlin when it came under attack by Vance Boetler, 57, in two synchronized assaults targeting the Hoffmans and Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman. Tragically, Hortman and her husband were killed by Boetler in an early Saturday incident following the attack on Hoffman.
“Early this morning, an absolute vile piece of s— dressed as a cop broke into my aunt and uncle’s house and shot him 6 and my aunt 5 times in a political act of terrorism,” Ollig wrote on Facebook Saturday in a since-deleted post, first reported by The Minnesota Star Tribune. “My aunt threw herself on her daughter, using her body as a shield to save her life. … I am beyond sick,” Ollig said.
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KARE reports that Hope, who was born with spina bifida, was a big reason why Hoffman went into politics, with the senator describing in the past how he wanted to be a voice for people with disabilities. Ollig brought this up on Facebook.
“He went into politics to help people with disabilities get the care they need, and she works with young school children,” Ollig said. “They have always been there for me and everyone in our family and community.”
Champlin Police responded around 2 a.m. Saturday to the Hoffmans’ home and found the couple with gunshot wounds, but alive. Boetler had allegedly moved on to the Hortmans’ Brooklyn Park residence and killed them at around 3:30 a.m., with officers responding minutes later and being met with bullets as Boetler exited and escaped on foot, according to officials.
Cops say Boetler was wearing police gear and a mask during the shooting attacks. A vehicle resembling a police SUV with flashing lights was found outside the Hortman home with a manifesto inside that included names of other targets.
Vance Boelter allegedly fled to a Minneapolis residence near 49th and Fremont afterward, where cops say he had rented a room part-time, local Fox affiliate KMSP reports.
Boetler allegedly texted two roommates of his, telling them he had made some bad choices and may be dead soon, per KMSP.
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz condemned the shootings at a press conference Saturday as acts of “targeted political violence.”
The list of individuals that was allegedly found in Boetler’s vehicle included nearly 70 names, with most being Democratic politicians or figures with ties to abortion rights. Minnesota lawmakers Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Tina Smith were both on the list, according to KARE.
The suspect was still at large Sunday.
“I assure you that those responsible for this will be held accountable,” Walz said. “Each and every one of us are committed to making sure that a tragedy like this never repeats itself in Minnesota or across this country.”
