The individual suspected of the targeted assassination that resulted in the death of one Minnesota lawmaker, her spouse, and left another lawmaker and his wife injured, has been recognized as a former appointee of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
As reported by The Blaze correspondent Julio Rosas, Vance Luther Boelter has been named as the suspect who allegedly impersonated a police officer before fatally shooting Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, shortly after 3 a.m. local time. Authorities responded to Hortman’s residence after State Senator John Hoffman and his wife were assaulted at their home in Champlin, approximately eight miles away.
Boelter, aged 57, was appointed by Walz in 2019 to a four-year term on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, as indicated by documents reviewed by the New York Post. He had previously served on the Governor’s Workforce Development Council in 2016 under former Governor Mark Dayton.
Additionally, Boelter was formerly the CEO of the international non-governmental organization (NGO) Red Lion Group, according to documents acquired by Data Republican. “However, I was unable to locate any photographs or digital records of its activities, only a generic website,” Data Republican stated on X.
Subsequently, officers performed a welfare check at Speaker Hortman’s residence in Brooklyn Park at approximately 3:35 a.m. and observed what seemed to be a police officer and a squad car outside, according to officials. When officers approached the vehicle, the suspect opened fire on them and fled the scene.
The officers returned fire, but the suspect was able to escape and is currently at large. Police have described the suspect as a white male with brown hair, wearing a blue shirt and blue pants, along with black body armor.
Investigators found a collection of “No Kings” flyers in the gunman’s vehicle, which directly references the nationwide protests occurring across the country. These protests, organized by the far-left group Indivisible, follow a week marked by increasing violence against federal authorities.
Speaker Hortman recently faced criticism from Minnesota Democrats after she aligned with Republicans to cast a pivotal vote aimed at reducing health care access for adult undocumented immigrants. “I acted as leaders should… I took initiative and fulfilled my responsibilities for the citizens of Minnesota,” the late lawmaker remarked regarding the budget agreement.
Authorities are advising the public to avoid participating in the upcoming “No Kings” protests in the state as the manhunt continues. Governor Walz was scheduled to address an event in downtown Minneapolis but has since called it off.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi has confirmed that the FBI is providing assistance to Minnesota law enforcement agencies in the ongoing manhunt. “I have been informed about the tragic shooting that occurred in Minnesota, which seems to be a targeted assault on State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, along with the FBI, is looking into the matter, and they will ensure that anyone involved is prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” President Trump stated in an announcement.“Such appalling violence will not be accepted in the United States of America. God bless the wonderful people of Minnesota, a truly remarkable place!”
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