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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.

Sen. Hoffman declined a request for comment on the lawsuit at the Capitol Thursday.

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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Cait Kelley

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

Hoffman and family file civil lawsuit against Vance Boelter

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