‘No excuse’: Sheriff slams State Patrol for lack of emergency notification during lawmaker shootings

Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher is calling out the Minnesota State Patrol for not using a mass notification system to alert state legislators about the unfolding danger that occurred on June 14, the day Sen. John Hoffman was shot and Rep. Melissa Hortman was killed.

“There is no excuse for not having or not using a functional mass notification system for our legislators on June 14th, 2025,” Fletcher said in a statement.

“The State Patrol Capitol Security Division has been working on this issue for eight years but failed to implement an effective alert program that could have notified Melissa Hortman and others of the active potential threat against them,” said the sheriff.

According to the Star Tribune, state officials purchased such a mass notification system several years ago but did not use it to immediately alert legislators that a gunman shot Hoffman and his wife around 2 a.m. on June 14. Approximately 90 minutes after the senator was shot, Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home.

Vance Luther Boelter has since been arrested and federally charged with multiple counts of murder and attempted murder.

“These notifications could have occurred shortly after the Capitol Security Captain was notified at 2:37 am of the Hoffman attack — an hour before the Hortmans were killed,” said Fletcher regarding the notification system. “Hopefully there will be some accountability for this safety failure.”

Fletcher recently told Alpha News he warned lawmakers and public safety officials about security vulnerabilities at the Capitol in January.

New security measures at the Minnesota State Capitol

Since the shootings, security at the Minnesota State Capitol Building and the protection of state lawmakers has become one of the most discussed topics in Minnesota. In particular, security at the Capitol has received significant scrutiny.

Last month, the Minnesota Department of Public Safety (DPS) announced that a third-party firm would be hired to conduct an independent review of security at the Capitol. Starting today, the State Patrol will be reducing the number of public entrances to the Capitol and placing an increased security presence at those entrances.

“The Capitol is more than just a building,” said DPS Commissioner Bob Jacobson. “It’s a symbol of democracy and a place where Minnesotans come to be heard. These updated security measures reflect our responsibility and commitment to protecting everyone who works at or visits the Capitol while keeping the building open and accessible to all.”

Visitors to the Capitol will now only be able to enter through two designated entrances that have a total of four doors and are monitored by security officers. All other doors will require key card access. Prior to this, the building had three public entrances and a total of 14 doors that were open during business hours.

Additionally, State Patrol elevated the Capitol Security Division within their organizational structure to enhance “efficiency and responsiveness.” Security at the Minnesota State Capitol will now be directly overseen by Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger of the State Patrol.

Col. Christina Bogojevic, the public safety official in charge of the State Patrol, emphasized that the agency will continue to review ways to balance security with public access.

“Our goal is to enhance safety at the Capitol while ensuring it remains a welcoming place for all Minnesotans,” said Bogojevic.

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