Rep. Emilia Sykes was among dozens of politicians named in handwritten notes recovered from a Minnesota man charged with killing and attempting to kill Minnesota public officials, the Akron congresswoman confirmed in a statement Tuesday.

The suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boetler, has been charged with stalking and murdering Minnesota Rep. Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband and stalking and shooting Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.

After a two-day manhunt, Boetler was apprehended by law enforcement Sunday around 9:15 p.m.

“My heart breaks for their families, friends, and communities impacted by this tragedy,” Sykes said in the statement. “I commend the local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies for apprehending the suspect.”

According to a release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, in the early morning on Saturday, June 14, Boetler disguised himself as a police officer, complete with body armor and an SUV equipped with police-style lights, and drove to the Hoffmans’ home. Boetler knocked on their door repeatedly, and after the senator and his wife opened the door, Boetler shot them. 

Signal background

Boetler allegedly drove to the homes of two more Minnesota elected officials but did not make contact with them. 

He then traveled to the Hortmans’ home. Local law enforcement arrived at theHortman household to conduct a safety check after being alerted to the shooting at the Hoffman residence. They spotted Boetler at the Hortmans’ door. 

Boetler shot and killed Rep. Hortman and her husband before fleeing on foot. 

Law enforcement recovered five firearms — including semi-automatic, assault-style rifles — as well as a large quantity of ammunition and several notebooks filled with handwritten notations from Boetler’s car. Notes listed the names of dozens of Minnesota state and federal elected officials. Some of their home addresses were also identified.

“I am relieved that the suspect has been apprehended, and I am fully committed to continuing to work on behalf of Ohio’s 13th congressional district,” Sykes said. “Nonetheless, we must bring the temperature down. 

“The vitriolic rhetoric used in today’s politics is fomenting violence, and it must end.”

Community & service reporter (they/them)
Reegan Davis Saunders is Signal Akron’s community & service reporter. Reegan studied journalism and art at Kent State University, and they are passionate about the intersection of the two disciplines.

Although Reegan grew up in metro Detroit, they have always been an Ohio State Buckeyes fan. After living in Kent the past few years, they are excited to explore more of Akron, especially the coffee shops.

At Signal Akron, Reegan hopes to serve underrepresented communities by creating more accessible content.