Authorities are searching for a man suspected in the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses.
Authorities are seeking 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter for questioning after two couples were discovered shot inside their homes this past Saturday. Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband tragically lost their lives in a shooting incident in Brooklyn Park. Similarly, just a few miles away in Champlin, state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot and subsequently hospitalized.
According to CBS News, Boelter stands at 6 feet 1 inch and weighs about 220 pounds. He is described as having brown hair and brown eyes. On Saturday morning, he was last spotted in Minneapolis wearing a dark long-sleeve shirt, light-colored pants, a cowboy hat, and carrying a dark bag.
In his past, Boelter was engaged with the Minnesota government in the private sector and served on the Governor’s Workforce Development Council. He was appointed by former Gov. Mark Dayton from 2016 to 2019. Following this, Gov. Tim Walz appointed him to the Governor’s Workforce Development Board as a business member until 2023, per state records.
It is unclear if he knew Hoffman or Hartman personally or had any working relationship with the victims.
Boelter’s last known place of employment was Praetorian Guard Security Services, where he served as the director of security patrols. CNN reports that he is listed on the company’s website, with his home address as the company’s registered location, and his wife is listed as CEO.
Boelter’s friend, David Carlson, reportedly said that Boelter was experiencing financial issues and having difficulties finding work. Carlson also told KARE that Boelter sent texts to him and his friends saying, “gonna be gone for a while” and “may be dead shortly,” before the shootings occurred.
Law enforcement found belongings and other writings in Boelter’s vehicle. They also discovered a list of nearly 70 people who are believed to be possible targets, primarily Democrats or individuals affiliated with abortion rights, according to CNN.
The FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter’s arrest and conviction. Boelter is considered “armed and dangerous,” and officials urge people not to approach him but to call 911, according to Superintendent Drew Evans with the Minnesota BCA, as reported by CBS News.
“We still don’t know if additional people are involved, but this individual is the one that we’re looking at as a person of interest right now. But there may be other people with him, and we would like to speak to anybody that may have had contact with him at any point in time,” Evans said.
Anyone with information about Boelter or his whereabouts is encouraged to call the tip line at 877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us.
[Featured Image: This image provided by the FBI on Saturday, June 14, 2025, shows part of a poster with photos of Vance L. Boelter. (FBI via AP)]
