Wife of Suspected Minnesota Lawmaker Shooter Speaks Out: 'Completely Blindsided'

The wife of suspected Minnesota lawmaker shooter Vance Boelter is speaking out for the first time since the tragedy, saying her family was “completely blindsided” by the violence.

“On behalf of my children and myself, I want to express our deepest sympathies to the Hortman and Hoffman families. Our condolences are with all who are grieving during this unimaginably difficult time, and we are praying daily for them,” Jenny Boelter said in a statement released through her legal team at Halberg Criminal Defense on Thursday, June 26.

Vance, 57, is accused of fatally shooting State Rep. Melissa Hortman, 55, the former Democratic Speaker of the House, and her husband, Mark, in their home in Brooklyn Park, Minn., on June 14. He is also accused of shooting Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in their home nearby, but both of them survived the assassination attempt.

The suspect allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer and went to the lawmakers’ homes in an act that was described as a “politically motivated assassination” by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

“We are absolutely shocked, heartbroken and completely blindsided,” Jenny’s statement continued. “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 this unfathomable tragedy.”

Jenny also says her family has “fully cooperated with investigators and responded to their every request” since the beginning of the investigation and clarifies details about her detainment by police on the day of the shootings.

“On the morning of June 14, 2025, I received a call from law enforcement and immediately drove to meet agents at a nearby gas station,” she explained. “We were not pulled over; we parked and waited until they arrived. When they did, we voluntarily agreed to meet with them, answer their questions, provide all items they requested, and cooperate with all searches.”

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During the search of Jenny’s car, authorities recovered a gun, passports and about $10,000 in cash, ABC News reported, citing an affidavit.

Jenny’s statement concluded, “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.” 

After briefly exchanging gunfire with police at Hortman’s house and allegedly fleeing the scene, Vance was arrested in the woods near his home in Green Isle, Minn., on June 15, officials confirmed, per CBS News. The arrest came after a nearly two-day manhunt that Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley called the “largest” in the state’s history at a press conference.

While on the run, the suspected shooter allegedly sent haunting texts to members of his family.

“Dad went to war last night … I don’t wanna say more because I don’t want to implicate anybody,” read one of the texts allegedly sent by Vance, per a police affidavit obtained by ABC News.

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He then also texted his wife: “Words are not gonna explain how sorry I am for this situation … there’s gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy and I don’t want you guys around,” the outlet reported.

Before Vance’s arrest, police revealed that they had discovered a “manifesto” featuring a “list of names” inside a vehicle that they believe the suspect had been driving.

Vance has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder, Reuters reported, citing a criminal complaint.

Since then, the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said in a statement that prosecutors will seek first-degree murder charges against Vance. He’s also facing federal charges, including stalking, and is expected to a make a federal court appearance on June 27.