Deadly lawmaker ambush in Minnesota raises fears about fake police officers knocking on doors
Share this @internewscast.com

Vance Boelter fled Minnesota in panic after allegedly impersonating a police officer and committing the shootings of two state lawmakers, tragically resulting in the death of one lawmaker and her husband at their residence last week.

But what can you do to verify that the person who knocks on your door or pulls you over while you’re in your vehicle is a law enforcement officer?

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, where Boelter is suspected of fatally shooting Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse, Mark, addressed media in a press briefing earlier this week, emphasizing that there’s an action that’s “never wrong.”

“You can always call 911 to verify if the individual at your door is a legitimate police officer,” stated Bruley. “If they are indeed on duty, they’ll be linked to a dispatch center that can confirm their identity. So, if you’re unsure, the first step to take is to call 911. There are many types of uniforms out there, and it’s always a wise move.”

Higgins said officers usually call in traffic violations to dispatch, so drivers can still call 911 or the local police to verify that an officer performing their duties initiated the stop.

Higgins advised citizens to always be aware of their surroundings and to pull over in public places, if possible.

If unable to immediately pull over in a public place, Higgins said drivers can lower their window just enough, keep their car in drive and ask the officer if it’s possible to drive to another place that is safer or more public.

Higgins said that police officers understand that citizens may be uncertain or nervous and ask for verification.

“If their answer is anything other than professional, it should raise a concern,” Higgins said. That is, if the citizen didn’t do anything obviously illegal like run a red light, he added as a caveat.

In the case in Minnesota, Boelter allegedly impersonated a police officer, wearing a flesh-colored mask, a black tactical vest and carrying a flashlight before shooting and killing state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their respective homes.

Boelter also drove a black SUV equipped with police-style lights and a fake license plate that said “POLICE,” according to a court affidavit.

Video footage from Hoffman’s home shows a masked Boelter at the front door wearing the black tactical vest and holding a flashlight, according to the affidavit. Boelter then allegedly knocked on their door and shouted repeatedly, “This is the police. Open the door.”

The Hoffmans answered the door but, since Boelter was shining the flashlight in their eyes, realized too late that Boelter was not a real police officer, the affidavit said.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
Secret Service acquires iconic presidential Marine One helicopter for advanced agent training program

Secret Service Enhances Agent Training with Iconic Marine One Presidential Helicopter

The newly decommissioned Marine One helicopter found a new home with the…
Aerial view of a fenced-in facility in a desert landscape.

Israel Reveals Some Iranian Underground Uranium Reserves Withstood Trump’s Assault, Warns of Potential New Strikes

ISRAEL says some of Iran’s highly-enriched near weapons-grade uranium stockpile survived US…
Daywalkers vs Vampires: Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Freya Skye, Malachi Barton on the new rivalry in 'ZOMBIES 4'

Daywalkers vs Vampires: Milo Manheim, Meg Donnelly, Freya Skye, and Malachi Barton Discuss the New Feud in ‘ZOMBIES 4’

LOS ANGELES — This summer, the popular “ZOMBIES” franchise makes its return…
‘Love Island USA’ Star Zak Srakaew Says He Liked Amaya Espinal “More” After She Called Him An “Extremely” Odd Individual”: “I Lowkey Like A Little Bit Of Fire”

Zak Srakaew from ‘Love Island USA’ Admits He Grew More Fond of Amaya Espinal After Being Called an “Extremely” Odd Person: “I Secretly Enjoy a Bit of Spark”

Zak Srakaew came to the realization “too late” that Amaya Espinal was…
'High Potential' star Javicia Leslie teases a villain twist you won't see coming: "You'll never guess who it was." 

‘High Potential’ Star Javicia Leslie Hints at Unexpected Villain Plot Twist: “You’ll Be Surprised Who It Is.”

LOS ANGELES — The filming of Season 2 of “High Potential” on…
New Mexico village rebuilds all over again after record-breaking flash flood kills 3

New Mexico Village Begins Rebuilding After Devastating Flash Flood

RUIDOSO, N.M. (AP) — The mountain village of Ruidoso faced the familiar…
George Mason University faces investigation in Trump administration's anti-DEI crackdown

George Mason University Under Investigation Amidst Trump Administration’s Crackdown on DEI

WASHINGTON (AP) — On Thursday, the Trump administration initiated a civil rights…
One year after Trump assassination attempt, Butler widow demands accountability from Secret Service

One Year After Attempted Assassination on Trump, Butler Widow Calls for Secret Service Accountability

One year after Corey Comperatore was killed at a Trump rally in…
Ohio boy crawls into claw machine, gets stuck, rescued with pride bruised but unharmed

Ohio Child Rescued Unscathed After Getting Stuck in Claw Machine

A young boy in Ohio got himself into a tight spot after…
A Border Force vessel rescuing migrants from a small inflatable boat.

Witnessing 78 Migrants Cross to the UK with Farage: A Blow to ‘Stop the Boats’ Efforts

While Keir Starmer introduced his fresh agreement on managing small boats, I…
Woman with 'urgent message' for President Trump arrested near Mar-a-Lago security checkpoint

Woman Arrested Near Mar-a-Lago Security for Trying to Deliver Message to President Trump

A woman was taken into custody after she approached Mar-a-Lago, claiming she…
Woman standing in front of her house, surrounded by numerous Amazon packages.

Amazon Delivery Chaos: Hundreds of Parcels Flood My Home with No End in Sight

HUNDREDS of large Amazon packages kept arriving at the doorstep of one…