Home / Crime and Justice / Police Logs Reveal Hour-Long Delay in Recovering Lawmaker's Body
Police Logs Reveal Hour-Long Delay in Recovering Lawmaker's Body
22 Apr
Summary
- Officers took nearly an hour to find state Rep. Melissa Hortman's body.
- Husband Mark Hortman was the first victim rescued, dying from injuries.
- Police acted cautiously due to an unknown number of potential threats inside.
Revised 911 logs reveal crucial details about the law enforcement response to the assassination of state Rep. Melissa Hortman. Brooklyn Park police arrived at her residence at approximately 3:35 a.m. on June 14, 2025, following an earlier violent shooting that injured Sen. John Hoffman and his family.
Upon arrival, officers witnessed an individual shoot Mark Hortman, Melissa's husband, who succumbed to his injuries. The initial response prioritized caution due to the unknown whereabouts of the shooter and the potential for other victims inside the residence.
Despite deploying a drone, it wasn't until 4:09 a.m. that a woman, later identified as Melissa Hortman, was observed on the stairwell. Law enforcement teams entered the property around 4:37 a.m., finally recovering her body at 4:40 a.m.
Investigators identified Vance Boelter as the suspect by 5 a.m., though he was not apprehended until June 15 after a 43-hour manhunt. Police Chief Mark Bruley emphasized that the quiet following initial gunfire created ambiguity, preventing an immediate "active shooter" designation. Use-of-force expert Peter Johnson noted that officers likely followed protocol by containing the scene and calling for specialized units.
