Charges Filed in Assassination of Minnesota Lawmaker
The U.S. Department of Justice has announced charges against Vance Luther Belter for murder and stalking in connection with the assassination of a prominent Minnesota politician. Authorities revealed that he attempted to target four state lawmakers this past Saturday.
Belter, aged 57 and from Green Isle, Minnesota, was apprehended around 9:15 PM on Sunday, June 15, following what has been described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history. He was located roughly a mile from his home and 60 miles from the scene of the crime.
He faces charges for the fatal shooting of Emeritama Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Speaker, after an explosion at their home in Brooklyn Park around 3:30 AM on Saturday. Just prior to that, authorities indicated that he had shot State Senator John Hoffman (DFL) and his wife at their residence in Champlin. Hoffman underwent emergency surgery and is anticipated to recover.
Belter has been charged in U.S. District Court in St. Paul with two counts of murder, two counts of stalking, and two firearm-related charges. He is being held without bail and is also expected to face first-degree murder and attempted murder charges in Hennepin County, with the federal charges being prioritized first.
“Vance Luther Belter has launched a violent attack against elected officials,” stated lawyer Joseph Thompson. “These targeted political assassinations are unprecedented in Minnesota. It represents an assault on our nation and democracy. We are committed to ensuring justice is served.”
Attorney General Pam Bondy expressed that the crimes have deeply shocked the nation, uniting many in grief. “These horrific acts of violence will not go unanswered,” she added.
The details in the charges and the accompanying FBI documents reveal a chilling narrative that is, quite frankly, unlike anything previously seen in Minnesota.
According to the affidavit, Belter tracked his victims, utilizing commercial data services like White Pages and Intellius for information.
Belter’s rampage reportedly involved disguising himself as a police officer, complete with a tactical vest, a hyper-realistic silicone mask, and a vehicle that mimicked a law enforcement SUV with emergency lights.
According to documents, he arrived at Hoffman’s residence in Champlin shortly after 2 AM on June 14, knocking on the door and claiming to be police. He asked the senator if he had any firearms, to which Hoffman responded that they were secured.
Despite shining a flashlight on their faces, Mrs. Hoffman noticed the mask Belter was wearing. The couple insisted he was not a real officer, but he threatened them, stating, “This is a robbery.”
When Senator Hoffman attempted to push Belter away, he was shot multiple times. Mrs. Hoffman also sustained injuries while trying to close the door.
At approximately 2:06 AM, Hoffman’s daughter dialed 911 to report the shooting.
After leaving the Champlin residence, Belter targeted another official’s home in Maple Grove, ringing the doorbell and again claiming to be police. However, the lawmakers were not home, and he departed.
Belter then parked near another official’s house in New Hope, where law enforcement mistook his presence for a legitimate police operation while attempting to make contact with him through the car window. He did not respond and managed to leave the area.
At around 3:30 AM, Brooklyn Park police arrived at the home of Hortman and her husband, only to discover a Ford Explorer SUV with flashing emergency lights parked outside. The vehicle’s license plate had been replaced with a counterfeit.
Officers later found Belter on the porch, where he fired shots at them. The affidavit describes multiple gunshots being heard from inside the house simultaneously, along with flashes from the front door.
Inside, Melissa Hortman had sustained severe injuries from multiple gunshots, while Mark was also found shot and unable to survive. Allegedly, Belter even shot a family dog during his violent attack.
Following the incident, Belter reportedly fled, discarding his body armor and flashlight as he ran.
Law enforcement then monitored a phone linked to Belter, which led them to his wife’s vehicle near Onamia, Minnesota, where she allowed officers to search it. Inside, they discovered two handguns, approximately $10,000 in cash, and passports for her and their children.
A man in the area recognized Belter, sharing that he had rented a room there and had known him since childhood.
Footage later revealed Belter damaging a window of an SUV in an alley and attempting to purchase an electric bike from an individual after his spree.
By June 15 at about 2:30 PM, police received tips of a sighting of someone on an e-bike near Belter’s home, but initial searches did not yield results.
Eventually, the police discovered a Buick that Belter had purchased earlier, finding personal belongings linked to him, including a letter that appeared to acknowledge involvement in the recent shootings.
At around 9:10 PM, he was located in Green Isle and taken into custody.
In the aftermath, law enforcement uncovered an abandoned SUV belonging to the couple, filled with firearms and notebooks listing 45 individuals, including elected officials, suggesting a chilling level of premeditation.
Comprehensive details included GPS records showing travel to the homes of those affected, coupled with materials indicative of plans to forge police credentials.
All this points to a deeply disturbing narrative that continues to unfold.
