Police Return Fire in Fatal Minnesota Home Attack

Officer Zachary Baumtrog, a Brooklyn Park Police Department veteran, was identified as the officer who returned fire during a use-of-force incident at the home of Melissa and Mark Hortman on June 14. Baumtrog and another officer arrived for a welfare check after an earlier shooting at State Sen. John Hoffman's home and encountered Vance Boelter, dressed as a police officer and driving a squad car-like vehicle, outside the Hortman residence. In response to gunfire outside the home, Officer Baumtrog returned fire; spent casings were recovered and the incident was captured on body camera, which is under review. Boelter is charged with the murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman, attempted murders of others, and multiple federal crimes after targeting several lawmakers' homes that night. Authorities say the officers' actions likely prevented additional fatalities. The Minnesota BCA will present its findings without recommendation to the Hennepin County Attorney's Office at the investigation’s conclusion.