Police responded to a shooting at the home of D. State Sen. John Hoffman around 2 am on June 15. A wellness check was initiated by local law enforcement for nearby politicians. Police subsequently encountered a suspect at the home of State Rep. Melissa Hortman who lived 9 miles away at 3:35 am.
Gunfire was exchanged with the suspect before he fled the scene, leaving behind a Ford SUV kitted out as a police-type vehicle. Reports were issued that a hit list with nearly 70 names and “No Kings” cards were discovered in the vehicle.
The vehicle was registered to 57-year old Vance Boelter, who allegedly posed as a police officer in order to carry out a series of assassinations. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz appointed Boelter to a Governor‘s Workforce Development Board - a group of business owners who recommend policies to the state government. John Hoffman was also on this state board.
A video has surfaced of Boelter preaching in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023.
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The deaths of Hortman and her husband Mark sparked partisan accusations on both sides. Those on the right pointed out that Boelter held appointments from both Mark Dayton and Gov. Walz, while the left stated that the list of names in the SUV were predominantly Democrats.
Another view espoused on social media has pointed to discrepancies in the appearance of the individual in the security camera footage. The size of the man seems to differ across the various videos prompting many to suspect Boelter is being framed. One of the names on the list - former Minnesota Sen. Kari Dziedzic - has been dead since December 2024.
Boelter evaded capture from the largest manhunt in the history of Minnesota for two days. He was eventually discovered on a trail camera in the woods, where the use of drones and dogs led to Boelter’s surrender Sunday evening.
The Minnesota Star Tribune obtained the charges against Boelter stating “He stands charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder by the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office.”
Reports were issued that a hit list with nearly 70 names and “No Kings” cards were discovered in the vehicle.
U.S. Attorney General Joe Thompson, FBI Special Agent in Charge Alvin Winston, and BCA Superintendent Andrew Evan’s will make statements Wednesday, July 16 at 11 am, ahead of Boelter’s first appearance in federal court at 1:30 pm that same day.
