MINNEAPOLIMEDIA NEWS | MINNESOTA POLITICS & PUBLIC SAFETY: Hoffman Family Files Civil Lawsuit Against Vance Boelter Following 2025 Targeted Shootings

CHAMPLIN, MN (April 16, 2026)

Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman, his wife Yvette Hoffman, and their daughter Hope Hoffman have filed a civil lawsuit in Hennepin County District Court against Vance Luther Boelter, seeking damages for injuries and trauma sustained during a June 2025 shooting at their Champlin home.

The complaint, filed Thursday, alleges assault, battery, negligence, and intentional infliction of emotional distress stemming from what court filings describe as a targeted attack. The lawsuit seeks compensatory damages exceeding $50,000, the statutory threshold for civil filings in Minnesota district court, with total damages expected to be substantially higher based on medical costs, lost income, and long-term psychological impact, according to reporting by MPR News.

Lawsuit Details

The five-count civil complaint outlines the physical, emotional, and financial toll on the Hoffman family following the attack.

According to the filing:

• Both John and Yvette Hoffman sustained multiple gunshot wounds requiring extensive medical treatment and prolonged recovery.
• The injuries resulted in ongoing medical care needs and diminished earning capacity.
• The family has incurred significant financial losses tied to treatment and recovery.

The complaint also details the experience of Hope Hoffman, who was inside the home during the shooting and is described as providing emergency aid to her parents while awaiting first responders. The filing cites ongoing psychological trauma and disruption to her educational pursuits as part of the damages claim.

June 2025 Attacks

The lawsuit stems from a series of coordinated shootings on June 14, 2025, that targeted elected officials and their families.

Champlin Shooting

Authorities allege that Boelter arrived at the Hoffmans’ residence in Champlin shortly after 2:00 a.m., posing as a law enforcement officer. He was reportedly wearing tactical gear and used a vehicle modified to resemble a police SUV.

According to investigators, Boelter gained access to the home under false pretenses. When Senator Hoffman confronted him and identified the deception, a struggle ensued, followed by gunfire.

Both John and Yvette Hoffman were shot multiple times. They survived but required emergency medical care, with Senator Hoffman spending weeks hospitalized following the incident.

Brooklyn Park Shooting

After leaving the Champlin residence, authorities say Boelter traveled to the home of Melissa Hortman in Brooklyn Park.

Investigators allege that Boelter fatally shot Mark Hortman at the entrance of the home before killing Representative Hortman inside. Law enforcement officers responding to the earlier Champlin shooting arrived during the incident, prompting an exchange of gunfire before the suspect fled.

Manhunt and Arrest

The shootings triggered a large-scale, multi-agency manhunt involving local, state, and federal law enforcement.

Boelter was located and arrested on June 15, 2025, in a rural area near Green Isle, Minnesota, approximately one day after the attacks.

He now faces a combined federal and state indictment that includes multiple counts of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder. The criminal case remains ongoing as of April 2026.

Legal and Policy Context

The Hoffman family’s civil lawsuit proceeds independently of the criminal prosecution and is intended to establish financial liability for the damages alleged in the complaint.

Legal analysts note that civil proceedings allow victims to seek compensation under a lower burden of proof than criminal cases, which require proof beyond a reasonable doubt.

Statewide Impact

The June 2025 attacks have had lasting implications across Minnesota, prompting renewed focus on the safety of public officials and the risks associated with targeted political violence.

In the months following the shootings, state officials have reviewed security protocols for elected leaders and considered policy responses, including stricter penalties related to impersonating law enforcement officers.

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