Minnesota Senator Recovering After Shooting by Impostor \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman, who was shot nine times by a masked gunman impersonating a police officer, has been moved to a rehabilitation facility. The attacker also fatally shot another former lawmaker and injured Hoffman’s wife. Authorities are investigating the case as a politically motivated assassination.
Quick Looks
- John Hoffman was shot 9 times on June 14.
- Gunman impersonated police using tactical gear and a mask.
- Wife Yvette was shot 8 times but survived; daughter unharmed.
- Attacker also killed former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband.
- Boelter faces state and federal murder charges.
- Authorities label the attack an “assassination.”
- Hoffman now in rehab, visited by former President Biden.
- Motive remains unclear; death penalty under federal consideration.
Deep Look
Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman, who survived a brutal attack after being shot nine times by a man posing as a police officer, has been discharged from the hospital and is now continuing his recovery in a transitional care facility, according to a statement from his family.
The family released a photo Monday evening showing the senator smiling and giving a thumbs-up, standing beside a roller suitcase as he left the hospital. “John has been moved to a rehab facility, but still has a long road to recovery ahead,” the family said.
The harrowing incident occurred in the early morning hours of June 14, when Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were awakened around 2 a.m. by a man banging on the front door of their home in Champlin, a suburb of Minneapolis. The man, later identified by federal authorities as Vance Boelter, was dressed in black tactical gear and claimed to be a police officer.
According to a sworn FBI affidavit, surveillance footage captured Boelter wearing a black vest and holding a flashlight. He was also seen wearing a flesh-colored mask that covered his entire face and head, concealing his identity. When the Hoffmans opened the door and noticed the mask, they realized the man wasn’t law enforcement. Boelter allegedly responded with a chilling statement: “This is a robbery.”
In an act of bravery, Senator Hoffman lunged at the assailant but was shot nine times. Yvette Hoffman was also shot eight times before she managed to slam the door shut. Their adult daughter, Hope Hoffman, who was at home during the incident, was physically unharmed and immediately called 911.
Boelter then allegedly fled and continued what authorities have described as a targeted campaign against Minnesota lawmakers. Prosecutors say he visited the homes of two other legislators, whose names have not been publicly released, but did not engage with them. He then drove to Brooklyn Park, where he allegedly murdered former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, at their residence. The couple’s family dog was also gravely wounded and had to be euthanized due to the severity of its injuries.
The U.S. Attorney for Minnesota described the double murder as an assassination, elevating the case to a rare level of political violence not seen in the state’s modern history.
Boelter was quickly arrested and remains jailed without bail. He has been charged in both federal and state courts with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder. During a recent court appearance, Boelter offered no apology and instead remarked cryptically, “I’m looking forward to the facts about the 14th coming out,” referring to the day of the shootings.
While prosecutors have not yet disclosed a motive, acquaintances have described Boelter as an evangelical Christian with hardline conservative political views. Investigators have not confirmed whether the victims were specifically targeted for their political affiliations, but the pattern of attacks has raised alarms about growing political violence in the U.S.
It will now fall to Attorney General Pam Bondi to determine whether federal prosecutors will pursue the death penalty — an option available under federal law, though Minnesota abolished the state death penalty in 1911.
Yvette Hoffman was released from the hospital just days after the attack, and has remained close to her husband’s side during his ongoing recovery. Former President Joe Biden visited Senator Hoffman in the hospital during his trip to Minneapolis for the Hortman funeral, paying respects to the slain public servants and showing support for the survivors.
The outpouring of sympathy from across party lines has underscored the severity of the attack and its deep impact on the political community in Minnesota. Security protocols for lawmakers are reportedly under review.
As the investigation continues and Senator Hoffman works toward physical recovery, questions remain about the suspect’s motive, mental state, and how he was able to stage such an elaborate impersonation of law enforcement. Meanwhile, federal and state prosecutors prepare for what is likely to be one of Minnesota’s most closely watched criminal trials in years.
Minnesota Senator Recovering Minnesota Senator Recovering
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