The wife of the man accused in the Minnesota lawmaker shootings spoke out for the first time Thursday, calling his actions that left two dead and two others injured “a betrayal.”
Vance Boelter, 57, is facing state and federal charges in connection with two June 14 shootings at the homes of Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman.
The shooting at Hortman’s Brooklyn Park home killed the lawmaker and her husband, Mark Hortman. About 90 minutes away, authorities say that Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were wounded in their Champlin home. Boelter was arrested in connection with the attacks in a Green Isle field two days later, after what officials have called the largest manhunt in Minnesota history.
In a statement released by her lawyers, Jenny Boelter said she and her children want to express their “deepest sympathies” to the Hortman and Hoffman families and “all who are grieving during this unimaginably difficult time.”
“We are absolutely shocked, heartbroken and completely blindsided,” Jenny Boelter said. “This violence does not at all align with our beliefs as a family. It is a betrayal of everything we hold true as tenets of our Christian Faith. We are appalled and horrified by what occurred, and our hearts are incredibly heavy for the victims of the unfathomable tragedy.”
Boelter’s wife added that her family has “fully cooperated with investigators and responded to their every request” from the moment they were first contacted by law enforcement on the morning of June 14. After the call, she said she “immediately drove to meet agents at a nearby gas station.”
“We were not pulled over; we parked and waited until they arrived,” Jenny Boelter said in the statement, adding that their cooperation since has included providing items and allowing searches. “We are grateful for the diligent and professional efforts of the authorities to fully investigate these crimes. We thank law enforcement for apprehending Vance and protecting others from further harm.”
The statement is the first time Boelter’s wife has spoken out since he was arrested in connection with what officials have described as a “politically motivated” shooting.
Prosecutors allege that Boelter, disguised as a law enforcement officer, “stalked his victims like prey” and planned the attacks before opening fire at the homes of the two lawmakers.
According to an affidavit, Boelter allegedly arrived at the Hoffmans’ home around 2:00 a.m. that Saturday in his SUV equipped with law enforcement-style lights. Equipped with a “hyper-realistic” flesh-colored silicone mask and a tactical vest, Boelter allegedly shined a flashlight into their front door and shouted, “This is the police! Open the door,” and the couple answered.
U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joseph Thompson said earlier this month that Boelter told the Hoffmans that there was a shooting reported in the home and asked if they had weapons. When he lowered the flashlight, the couple realized he was not an officer before Boelter allegedly tried to force himself into their home.
The affidavit states that Hoffman tried to push Boelter outside, prompting Boelter to shoot at the lawmaker and his wife repeatedly. Their daughter called 911 at 2:09 am, and officers transported the Hoffmans to the hospital.
Authorities say that Boelter drove to the homes of two other public officials before arriving at the Hortmans’ house in Brooklyn Park around 3:30 a.m. At the time, two local officers were dispatched to conduct a wellness check on their home and arrived just as Boelter was standing in front of it, officials said.
The affidavit states that Boelter allegedly fired several shots into the home “as he moved forward, entering the Hortmans’ home.” A second set of gunshots could also be heard from inside the house. Authorities say the couple and their family dog were fatally shot.
Boelter fled the home soon after, sparking a manhunt that ended about 36 hours later.
“We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our parents, Melissa and Mark. They were the bright lights at the center of our lives, and we can’t believe they are gone. Their love for us was boundless. We miss them so much,” Hortmans’ adult children, Sophie and Colin Hortman, said in a statement.