Minnesota senator and his wife report being shot 17 times during an attack that also resulted in the death of a colleague

The state senator from Minnesota shared harrowing details of an assassination attempt he and his wife endured, disclosing that they were shot a total of 17 times. This terrifying incident occurred just moments before the alleged gunman proceeded to murder another lawmaker and her husband.

In a recent statement, state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, shed light on their ordeal, providing more insight into how they managed to survive the traumatic attack in the early hours of a Saturday morning.

Vance Luther Boelter, the accused assailant, tragically visited three other residences where he fatally shot Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Following a widespread manhunt, Boelter was apprehended several days later.

Minnesota state senator John Hoffman, right, who survived an assassination attempt, says he and his wife were shot a combined 17 times before former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, left, and her husband were killed. (Fox 9)

The couple were rushed to the hospital, where Sen. Hoffman remains in critical, but stable condition. His wife is in stable condition and was released from the hospital on Thursday, Fox 9 reported. 

After allegedly shooting the Hoffmans, police said that Boelter went to the homes of two other lawmakers.

Boelter was armed with a handgun and dressed in black body armor, a badge, and a Taser — appearing indistinguishable from real law enforcement, according to police.

He arrived at another lawmaker’s home at around 2:25 a.m. but nobody was home as the legislator was away on vacation.

Bullet holes are seen in the door outside the home of state Sen. John Hoffman’s home on June 15, 2025, in Champlin, Minnesota. Hoffman and his wife were shot 17 times, they said.  (Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)

About 10 minutes later, Boelter went to State Sen. Ann Rest’s home in New Hope, where a police officer was already on the scene and interacted with him, and he eventually left. 

He then targeted Hortman in her Brooklyn Park home at around 3:30 a.m. where police said he killed the couple.

Police arrived on the scene shortly afterward and Boelter fired on police, who returned fire before Boelter ran back into the house and then fled.

Vance Boelter mugshot split with surveillance footage of alleged gunman (Sherburne County Sheriff’s Office; Minnesota Department of Public Safety)

The attacks have rocked the state and the Hoffmans paid tribute to the Hortmans, who they said were close friends. 

“We are heartbroken to know that our friends Melissa and Mark Hortman were assassinated,” the statement continues. “Our daughter Hope and Sophie Hortman went to school together, and we know that they – along with Colin Hortman [their son] — will have each other’s support as we all work through the devastating consequences of that horrific night.

They said they are grappling with the reality that we live in a world where public service carries risks of being targeted because of a difference of opinion.  

“As a society, as a nation, as a community, we must work together to return to a level of civility that allows us all to live peacefully,” they said. “The future for our children depends on that. We will be praying for that work and appreciate all those who will join with us.”

Boelter, meanwhile, is charged federally with two counts of stalking, two counts of murder using a firearm, and two additional firearm-related charges. He also faces second-degree murder charges in Hennepin County, where prosecutors say they will seek first-degree murder.

Prosecutors said that officers found several firearms, including assault-style rifles and a large quantity of ammunition, when they searched his SUV. Searches of his SUV and home uncovered notebooks containing a list of more than 45 Minnesota state and federal elected officials, including Hortman.

Police have not revealed a singular motive. Documents suggest Boelter harbored strong anti-abortion beliefs and opposition to pro-choice politicians.

Federal prosecutors released images they said were from Minnesota lawmaker shooting suspect Vance Boelter’s notebooks in a criminal complaint, June 16, 2025. (Department of Justice)

Boelter remains detained in federal custody pending the June 27 hearing. 

Meanwhile, police were conducting additional searches of Brooklyn Park on Friday as they try to piece together exactly what happened, the Brooklyn Park Police Department said in a statement. 

Hundreds of people gathered outside Minnesota’s Capitol on Wednesday for a vigil to remember the Hortmans.