Hoffman and family file civil lawsuit against Vance Boelter



Sen. Hoffman walks up stairs

Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman, DFL-Champlin, and his family have filed a civil lawsuit against Vance Boelter, who is accused of shooting Hoffman and his wife Yvette and shooting and killing Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.

The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Hennepin County, seeks the maximum damages permitted by law and accuses Boelter of assault, battery and intentional infliction of emotional distress.

In the early hours of June 14, 2025, the Hoffmans were shot multiple times in their home by a man posing as a law enforcement officer. Their daughter, Hope, was also present in the home at the time and called 911.

The lawsuit alleges that Vance Boelter attacked the Hoffmans as part of a “mass assassination plot” that targeted members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party. It also alleges that Boelter prepared extensively for the attacks, buying weapons and disguises and stalking the Hoffmans to learn their daily movements.

“On at least one occasion, Boelter tailed Yvette as she drove to work,” the civil complaint reads.

The Hoffmans suffered physically, emotionally and financially from the shootings, according to the complaint.

Sen. Hoffman was struck by nine bullets and Yvette Hoffman by eight. Though they survived the shooting, both have permanent injuries and “are likely to require significant medical care in the future,” according to the complaint. Both lost income during their recovery.

Hope Hoffman also suspended her education to process what happened and to help coordinate the clean up and repair of the family home, the complaint reads.

Boelter is facing federal and state criminal charges for the shootings of the Hoffmans and the Hortmans. He has pleaded not guilty.



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A Republican lawmaker charged in an alcohol-related driving offense won’t have to appear in court again until after the Legislature adjourns for the year.

A June 10 arraignment hearing is set for Rep. Elliott Engen, a Lino Lakes Republican who faces three misdemeanor charges following an arrest early Friday. He was stopped for speeding and other infractions in White Bear Lake; officers detected alcohol and he later tested well above the legal limit for driving, according to a citation.

Engen has apologized for a lapse in judgment; he promised to learn from his actions and “do better.” Aside from being a second-term legislator, he is also a candidate for state auditor.

A second lawmaker, GOP Rep. Walter Hudson, was in Engen’s truck at the time of the stop and an open bottle of alcohol was found in a rear seat. Hudson, a second-term legislator from Albertville, was in possession of a permitted handgun, which could cause him legal problems if he is determined to have been intoxicated.

Police officers wrote in their report that Hudson disclosed he had the gun as the truck was being searched. The report said police took the firearm for safekeeping and said he could pick it up at a later time, which Hudson agreed to.

“I regret the poor decisions that were made during this incident, and commend the White Bear Police Department for their professional response,” Hudson said in a written statement. “I’m grateful that no harm was done to ourselves and others.”

Two lawmakers stand and look around
Rep. Walter Hudson, R-Albertville, (center) and Rep. Bidal Duran, R-Bemidji, (right) join other Republican lawmakers gather in the House chambers Jan. 27, 2025.
Tim Evans for MPR News file

A third, unidentified passenger was in the truck as well, according to police. Hudson and that person were transferred to the police department until they could arrange rides.

The Minnesota lawmakers had been at the Capitol late into the evening Thursday as the House debated procedural motions on gun, immigration and social media legislation. The motions failed on 67-67 votes.

There is no indication yet that either Hudson nor Engen had been drinking on Capitol grounds, which would be a violation of a House rule against consumption of alcohol or drugs in spaces under that chamber’s control.

According to a White Bear Lake Police report, Engen initially said he had not been drinking when asked by the police officer who pulled him over — “nothing at all,” he is quoted as saying. He performed a field sobriety test, which the report says showed signs of impairment.

Engen gave a preliminary breath sample there, the report says, which estimated a 0.142 blood alcohol level. After he was taken by squad car to the police department “Engen spontaneously stated, ‘Sir, I had a drink three hours ago,’” the report says.

He told the Minnesota Star Tribune in an interview Monday that he had also consumed alcohol in the afternoon on Thursday as well.

Engen is charged with two impaired driving offenses and speeding. White Bear Lake police also said he was driving a vehicle with expired registration and an inoperable headlight.

Engen has not returned calls from MPR News. A court docket lists a “notice of appearance” on Tuesday.

He is being represented in the criminal case by Chris Madel, an Excelsior attorney who waged a brief Republican campaign for governor.



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