A manhunt is underway for a now-identified suspect believed to be on foot following two politically motivated shootings, one of which killed a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband.
Authorities say the suspect is Vance L. Boelter, 57, a lifelong Minnesota resident. According to the FBI, he stands 6 feet 1 and weighs 220 pounds. He has gray hair and brown eyes. The agency believes he is armed and dangerous.
A hit list was reportedly discovered in the police-style vehicle that the suspect left in the driveway of the home of Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband, Mark, who were shot and killed early Saturday morning, June 14, in Brooklyn Park, about 11 miles north of Minneapolis.
Authorities say the suspect committed the murders while disguised as a police officer. According to CNN, Boelter worked for a security company in the Twin Cities and has training experience with the United States Military.
According to his LinkedIn bio, he has worked in food service companies and spent several years in Africa. He identifies himself as Dr. Vance Boelter and claims to have a doctorate in leadership from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
They believe the same suspect also shot Democratic Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin, another Minneapolis suburb. Both underwent surgery and are expected to survive.
According to CNN’s Chief Law Enforcement and Intelligence Analyst Jon Miller, the hit list included approximately 70 names. He claimed that it included numerous politicians, other state legislators, government officials, several mayors, medical clinics that allegedly provide abortion services, and pro-choice organizations.
According to ABC News, the hit list included Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Democratic Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota, and another Democrat, Minnesota US Representative Ilhan Omar.
According to Miller, the list also included locations outside of the state.
When police arrived at another representative’s home, the suspect was caught off guard and exchanged gunfire with officers, Miller said.
Miller said it is unclear whether the suspect was injured. Authorities believe the suspect was wearing body armor, Miller noted.
According to authorities, he was also wearing a badge, vest, and a taser.
Boelter was appointed to the nonpartisan Governor’s Workforce Development Council twice, once in 2016 by former Governor Mark Dayton and again in 2019 by Walz. He last served on the council in early 2023, according to KSTP, ABC 5 in St. Paul.
According to CBS, fliers in Boelter’s car advertised a “No Kings” rally. All “No Kings” events scheduled in Minnesota for Saturday have been canceled.
