Minn. Sen. Hoffman and his family sue Vance Boelter over stalking, attempted assassination
MINNEAPOLIS - State Sen. John Hoffman and his family sued Vance Boelter in Hennepin County District Court on Thursday, seeking damages for their continued pain and suffering from his alleged stalking and attempted murder last summer.
As Boelter's criminal case plods forward in the U.S. District Court of Minnesota, Hoffman, his wife, Yvette, and daughter, Hope, allege that their lives remain forever altered. John Hoffman was shot nine times. Yvette was shot eight times. Boelter's shots missed Hope, but she sustained "serious emotional and psychological trauma" from the shooting and its aftermath that led her to have to stop her education for a period of time.
John Hoffman lost the full use of his left arm and hand and his digestive and urinary systems were damaged. Yvette Hoffman has "permanent physical weakness."
They all allege that Boelter's actions cost them income and future earning potential.
"Our lives have been forever altered; the trauma and injuries haunt us daily and will for the rest of our lives," the family said in a statement. "Our attacker should be held to account in every manner that is legally possible."
The lawsuit, filed April 16, details well-known facts about the shooting, including how Boelter disguised himself as law enforcement to try to kill Democratic lawmakers, including Hoffman, Rep. Kristin Bahner and Sen. Ann Rest. He did kill Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.
But the Hoffmans allege for the first time that on multiple occasions Boelter parked his car on the Hoffmans' street to observe the family and that "on at least one occasion, Boelter tailed Yvette as she drove to work."
Boelter also allegedly stalked Hope and knew that she would be at the home on the night of the attack.
When Boelter arrived at their home, he used his police disguise to engage the family in conversation about whether they had weapons in the home. When John Hoffman realized that Boelter was not legitimate law enforcement, he attempted to block him from entering the house. That's when Boelter fired at least 20 bullets at the Hoffmans.
Hope Hoffman called 911, alerted law enforcement of the threat Boelter posed and attempted to render first aid to her parents, who she believed were dying.
The lawsuit seeks damages in excess of $50,000 on counts of assault, battery, intentional infliction of emotional distress and negligence. No attorney is listed for Boelter.
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