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Minnesota Lawmaker Slayings Linked to Chilling Political Hit List

The Daily Desk — Tue, 17 Jun 2025 15:24:10 +0000

Minnesota Lawmaker Slayings Part of Chilling Hit List, Say Prosecutors

In what authorities are calling a meticulously planned and deeply disturbing act of political violence, 57-year-old Vance Boelter is accused of carrying out deadly attacks on Minnesota lawmakers — and he may have had dozens more targets in his sights.

Federal prosecutors say Boelter fatally shot former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home over the weekend. Just hours earlier, he allegedly gunned down State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their nearby residence. Both survived the attack, though Sen. Hoffman remains hospitalized after undergoing multiple surgeries for nine gunshot wounds.

But the violence may have only scratched the surface of Boelter’s plans.

Dozens of Democrats on Target List

According to acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson, investigators uncovered extensive notes and writings detailing surveillance efforts and potential targets — all Democrats. Boelter’s hit list allegedly included more than 45 officials in Minnesota and elected leaders in at least three other states: Michigan, Ohio, and Wisconsin.

“He didn’t just pick names out of a hat,” Thompson said Monday. “This was deliberate, methodical, and the stuff of nightmares.”

Boelter had even made it to the homes of two additional Minnesota legislators on the night of the attacks, Thompson revealed. One lawmaker was out of town; the other avoided harm thanks to quick police response. Democratic Sen. Ann Rest confirmed she was one of those nearly targeted, crediting law enforcement with saving her life.

Disguised as a Cop, Armed with a Hit List

Boelter, authorities say, spent months preparing. He wore a tactical vest, carried a flashlight and a 9 mm handgun, and disguised himself in a realistic silicone mask while impersonating a police officer.

At the Hoffmans’ home, Boelter reportedly knocked and shouted, “This is police!” before announcing a robbery and opening fire when Sen. Hoffman tried to resist. Their daughter called 911 during the attack.

Police responded swiftly to the second crime scene, arriving at the Hortman residence just in time to see Boelter fatally shoot Mark Hortman through the doorway. Officers exchanged gunfire with Boelter, who fled the home, leaving behind a horrific scene. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside. The couple’s dog was also shot and later euthanized.

Arrest, Aftermath, and a Haunting Message

After a 48-hour manhunt, Boelter was captured in the woods near his rural Minnesota home late Sunday. Prosecutors charged him with federal murder and stalking — crimes that could bring the death penalty. He also faces multiple state charges, including murder and attempted murder.

Court documents reveal that Boelter texted family members following the killings, cryptically saying, “Dad went to war last night.” He warned them to stay away, fearing armed officers would descend on his home. Police later found his wife and children in a car with passports, $10,000 in cash, and two handguns.

Boelter also left behind a letter addressed to the FBI, signed as “Dr. Vance Luther Boulter,” in which he identified himself as “the shooter at large.”

No Clear Motive — Yet

Despite the extensive planning, authorities say Boelter left behind no clear explanation for his actions. While his notebooks listed search engines and details on abortion providers, health care centers, and community leaders, prosecutors have not found writings that pinpoint a specific political ideology or motive.

Boelter is known to have attended an evangelical church and Trump campaign events, and at one point served on a state workforce board alongside one of his alleged victims, Sen. Hoffman. Whether any personal grievance played a role remains unclear.

For now, lawmakers and law enforcement remain on high alert.

“This was a coordinated and targeted political attack,” Thompson said. “We were lucky it didn’t get even worse.”

Source: AP News – Minnesota shooting suspect had dozens of potential targets, prosecutors say

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Who Is Vance Boelter? Inside the Manhunt for Minnesota’s Accused Killer

The Daily Desk — Mon, 16 Jun 2025 11:32:19 +0000

Political Violence Rocks Minnesota: Inside the Manhunt for Vance Boelter

A shocking act of violence unfolded this weekend in the Twin Cities suburbs, when Vance Luther Boelter, 57, allegedly targeted Democratic lawmakers in a deadly, coordinated shooting at their homes. Here’s a deeper look at who he is, who he targeted, and what this says about the state of U.S. politics today.

Who Is the Suspect: Vance Boelter?

Background & False Claims
Boelter has claimed he worked in private security, even forming a company called Praetorian Guard Security Services, but these credentials appear to be largely fabricated.
A friend described his security background as “fantasy,” with no record of military or law enforcement training.
Past Roles & Beliefs
He once served briefly on Minnesota’s Workforce Development Board and presented himself as a pastor and security specialist, holding strong anti-abortion and anti-LGBTQ views .
A childhood friend confirmed he was a strong Trump supporter and deeply conservative.

The Targets & Alleged Motive

A Hit List Discovered
Police found a manifest list in Boelter’s vehicle naming around 70 potential targets: politicians known for supporting reproductive rights, including Rep. Ilhan Omar, Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and dozens of abortion providers and clinics.
The Victims
- Rep. Melissa Hortman (55) — former Minnesota House Speaker, long-serving DFL leader, champion of bipartisanship and progressive policy.
- Mark Hortman (58) — Melissa’s husband.
- Sen. John Hoffman (60) and his wife, Yvette — both survived the attack, though seriously injured.
Authorities describe the shootings as a politically motivated assassination targeting pro-choice legislators.

Timeline: Chaos Over Long Weekend

Early Saturday:
Boelter, allegedly disguised as a police officer, first attacked Senator Hoffman and his wife at their Champlin home. Minutes later, he arrived at the Hortmans’ Brooklyn Park residence, opening fire.
Victims & Response:
Melissa and Mark Hortman died of multiple gunshot wounds. Both Hoffmans survived, receiving critical but stabilizing medical care.
State Response:
Gov. Tim Walz declared it a political assassination and ordered state flags to fly at half-staff .

The Manhunt & Arrest

Multi-State Alert:
The FBI labeled Boelter “armed and dangerous,” offering a $50,000 reward. Alerts were posted across Minnesota and South Dakota.
Capture:
Near his home, Boelter surrendered—ending a fraught, nearly 48-hour manhunt that had locked down communities .
Booking & Charges:
He faces two counts of second‑degree murder (for the Hortmans) and two counts of second‑degree attempted murder (for the Hoffmans) in Hennepin County.

Remembering Melissa Hortman

Remarkable Career:
Elected in 2004, Hortman earned respect as a consensus-builder, performing feats of bipartisanship—especially during a 67-67 tied House.
She championed progressive legislation—abortion rights, paid leave, environmental and education policy—and held her district with consistent electoral success .
Respect & Tributes:
Tributes poured in from colleagues across the political spectrum. Former Iowa senator Rob Hogg called her “one of the most effective state legislative leaders in the country”.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar remembered her as “in it for all the right reasons,” with a mix of humor, compassion, and grit.

What This Means for Political Violence

This shooting lands amid a worrying national rise in politically motivated violence—from the 2024 attempts on Trump to threats against Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.

Lawmakers are now calling for tighter security measures nationwide. Speaker Schumer and others are urging urgent action to protect public servants .

What’s Ahead

Boelter is scheduled to appear in court Monday afternoon. Federal prosecutors are also weighing in, possibly charging him on civil rights violations or terrorism-related offenses .

Minnesota—and the nation—is left reckoning with the reality that political discourse can no longer ignore the deadly consequences of radical, targeted violence. As the Hoffmans recover and the Hortmans are mourned, many are left asking: How do we prevent this from happening again?

Source: CNN – Suspect being held on murder charges in Minnesota’s Hennepin County

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Minnesota Lawmaker Killed, Another Injured in Targeted Political Attack

The Daily Desk — Sun, 15 Jun 2025 14:03:33 +0000

“Politically Motivated Assassination”: Manhunt Intensifies After Deadly Shootings of Two Minnesota Lawmakers

Minnesota is reeling after a brazen double shooting that law enforcement officials are calling a targeted political attack. Former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman was killed in her home early Saturday morning, and State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were wounded in a separate shooting just minutes earlier.

Authorities say the suspect, Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old former political appointee and private security contractor, may have posed as a police officer to gain access to the victims’ homes. He remains at large as of Sunday morning. A massive manhunt is underway, and the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture.

A Coordinated Attack on State Leaders

The attacks occurred just after 2 a.m. in two different Twin Cities suburbs—first in Champlin, where Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot multiple times, and then in Brooklyn Park, where police later found Hortman and her husband, Mark, both shot. Hortman died at the scene; her husband was later pronounced dead at the hospital.

Police were tipped off to the second scene after recognizing the victims at the first. When they arrived at the Hortman residence, they saw a man dressed in a police-style uniform exiting the house. The suspect opened fire and fled on foot after exchanging gunfire with responding officers.

Officials believe Boelter was armed with a pistol and had multiple AK-style firearms in his vehicle, along with extremist materials including “No Kings” protest flyers and writings that mentioned several lawmakers by name—including Hortman and Hoffman.

Who Was Melissa Hortman?

Hortman, 55, was a fixture in Minnesota politics and one of the most influential Democratic voices in the state legislature. First elected in 2004, she rose through the ranks to become Speaker of the House in 2019, leading the chamber during some of its most contentious years.

Known for her sharp political instincts and passion for social justice, she was a staunch advocate for abortion rights, environmental protections, and economic equity. In 2023, she helped solidify Minnesota as a sanctuary state for abortion care, passing legislation that shielded both patients and providers from legal retaliation in other states.

Earlier this year, under a power-sharing agreement with Republicans, she stepped down from her leadership post and took on the honorary title of Speaker Emerita. She is survived by two adult children.

Gov. Tim Walz called her death a “politically motivated assassination” and described Hortman as “irreplaceable.”

“She woke up every day, determined to make this state a better place,” Walz said during a press conference. “She was a formidable public servant and a giant in our state’s history.”

Who Is John Hoffman?

Senator John Hoffman, 60, represents the northern Twin Cities suburbs and was elected to the Minnesota Senate in 2012. He chairs the Senate Human Services Committee, which oversees a major portion of the state budget, including programs for health care, aging, and disability services.

A moderate Democrat, Hoffman has been especially vocal on health equity, mental health reform, and public workforce issues. His wife, Yvette Hoffman, is not a public figure, but was also shot during the attack. Both underwent surgery and, according to Gov. Walz, are expected to survive.

Who Is the Suspect, Vance Boelter?

Boelter isn’t a household name, but his past brushes with politics, law enforcement aesthetics, and conspiracy-driven ideology paint a disturbing picture.

From 2016 to 2023, Boelter served on Minnesota’s Governor’s Workforce Development Board, an advisory panel focused on job training and economic planning. Records show he served on the board at the same time as Hoffman, though it’s unclear if they knew each other personally.

In 2019, Boelter and his wife registered a private security company, Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC, based out of Green Isle, MN. The company website featured images of armed personnel in tactical gear, as well as SUVs painted to resemble police vehicles. Boelter was listed as Director of Security Patrols.

An online résumé says he worked as a private security contractor in the Middle East and Africa—a claim authorities are still working to verify. He had also lived in multiple Minnesota towns over the years, keeping a low profile in the community.

Shortly before disappearing, Boelter reportedly sent cryptic messages to acquaintances.

“I’ve made some choices… I may be dead shortly,” he wrote, according to a friend who shared the message with local reporters. “I’m sorry for all the trouble this has caused.”

A Climate of Political Tension

This tragic incident comes amid a rising tide of political violence in the U.S., where elected officials at all levels have faced escalating threats.

In 2022, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband was attacked with a hammer in their San Francisco home.
In 2020, an anti-government militia plotted to kidnap Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer.
In 2024, former President Donald Trump was grazed by a bullet during a campaign rally, and a separate suspect with a rifle was later arrested near his Florida estate.
Just weeks ago, someone set fire to the Pennsylvania governor’s home during Passover, forcing the family to flee.

And now, two prominent Minnesota lawmakers have been directly targeted—one of them killed.

“Condemning violence is important, but it’s not enough,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer. “We must confront the toxic forces radicalizing individuals. We must do more to protect one another and our democracy.”

Schumer has requested additional security for Minnesota Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and called for a congressional briefing on threats to elected officials.

A State on Edge

Following the attacks, police urged the public to avoid participating in “No Kings” protests that had been planned in opposition to former President Trump. While some demonstrations were canceled, others continued across the Twin Cities, despite warnings.

Hundreds of law enforcement officers—many in tactical gear—fanned out across Brooklyn Park and surrounding areas, setting up checkpoints and searching wooded areas and homes.

By Saturday afternoon, a shelter-in-place order was lifted, but the suspect remained missing.

Residents were left stunned.

“This is crazy—someone going after representatives,” said Douglas Thompson, a Brooklyn Park resident. “This is wrong. I’m hoping they catch him soon.”

What Comes Next

The FBI, State Patrol, local law enforcement, and federal prosecutors are all coordinating on the manhunt and ongoing investigation.

Authorities have not ruled out the possibility that other lawmakers or officials were on Boelter’s list of targets. His writings reportedly named other Democratic leaders—especially those who supported abortion access—as enemies.

This case is developing rapidly, and updates are expected in the coming days. For now, Minnesota mourns the loss of a political leader, prays for the recovery of another, and holds its breath as the search for a suspect with a deadly agenda continues.

If you have any information regarding the whereabouts of Vance Boelter, contact the FBI at 1-800-CALL-FBI or your local law enforcement agency.

Source: AP News – Authorities still searching for suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota state lawmakers

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