Crime
Minnesota Shooter Vance Boelter Texted Roommates: “I Made Some Bad Decisions, May Be Dead Soon”
New details are emerging about Vance Luther Boelter, the 57-year-old suspect accused of carrying out a deadly shooting spree that claimed the lives of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and left State Senator John Hoffman and his wife wounded.
Conversations with Boelter’s longtime roommates in Minneapolis have revealed personal struggles, concerning behavior, and early signs of distress in the days leading up to the attacks.
Boelter, who split time between a residence in Green Isle and a rented room at a home on Fremont Avenue North, reportedly sent a chilling message to his housemates just hours before the attacks.
According to his roommate, David Carlson, Boelter texted both him and another roommate, Ron Ramsey, at approximately 6:17 a.m. Saturday.
Carlson, visibly emotional, read the message aloud to reporters:
“David and Ron, I love you guys. I made some choices, and you guys don’t know anything about this, but I’m going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn’t gone this way. I don’t want to say anything more and implicate you in any way because you guys don’t know anything about this. But I love you guys and I’m sorry for all the trouble this has caused.”
Carlson, 59, said he has known Boelter since the fourth grade and described him as a close friend.
The two had lived together in the Fremont Avenue home for about two years. Carlson said Boelter stayed there once or twice a week to be closer to his job.
“He was just the nicest guy,” Carlson said through tears. “I can’t believe this has all happened.”
Carlson added that Boelter had recently expressed affection and gratitude, paying four months’ rent in advance and telling him he was his best friend.
Authorities were called to the home later that afternoon, where they forcibly entered the residence.
The front door had been destroyed, windows shattered, and tire tracks—believed to be from an armored police vehicle—were visible on the lawn. Boelter was not found at the location.
Officers also towed a black SUV from the alleyway behind the property.
The vehicle bore a Minnesota license plate but lacked any external police emergency lighting, unlike the marked-style vehicle believed to have been used by the suspect during the attack on Representative Hortman’s home in Brooklyn Park.
Carlson told investigators that Boelter had acquired squad-style vehicles in preparation for launching a private security business. He noted, however, that the company never fully materialized and described Boelter as having been under increasing financial strain.
The emotional revelations from Boelter’s roommates are adding another layer to a complex investigation that has already unearthed a list of additional potential targets, including high-profile political leaders and abortion rights advocates.
The suspect, 57-year-old Boelter, remains at large as a statewide manhunt continues.
Law enforcement officials have confirmed that a manifesto and a target list were recovered from one of Boelter’s vehicles.
The list included prominent Democratic officials such as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, U.S. Senator Tina Smith, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison. Representative Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman — the known victims of the shootings — were also named.
The document further referenced abortion providers and pro-choice advocates, indicating that Boelter’s actions may have been ideologically motivated, at least in part.
During a press conference, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley emphasized the seriousness of the threat posed by Boelter, calling the recovered manifesto “deeply concerning.”
He confirmed that Boelter had been impersonating a law enforcement officer at the time of the attacks. Authorities believe he wore a realistic latex mask during the shootings and drove a vehicle outfitted to resemble a police cruiser.
Boelter, who had previously been appointed to the Governor’s Workforce Development Council under both Gov. Mark Dayton (2016) and Gov.
Tim Walz (2019), has no known criminal record. He remains at large following a shootout with officers in Brooklyn Park, where he fled on foot.
In a recent statement, Governor Walz confirmed the deaths of Representative Hortman and her husband and extended his condolences to their family.
He also noted that Senator Hoffman and his wife Yvette are currently recovering from their injuries.
Authorities continue to search for Boelter and have issued a shelter-in-place advisory for areas surrounding the Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park.
Law enforcement urges residents not to open their doors to individuals claiming to be officers unless their identity is verified through 911.
Boelter is considered armed and extremely dangerous.
Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to contact authorities immediately.
Christian County, Mo. — Authorities have identified the suspect accused of fatally shooting a deputy with the Christian County Sheriff’s Office during a traffic stop as Richard Bird.
At the time the Blue Alert was issued, the suspect had not yet been taken into custody.
According to law enforcement officials, the deputy initiated a traffic stop involving a 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck along State Highway 160 near Highlandville.
During the stop, the suspect allegedly opened fire, fatally wounding the deputy before fleeing the scene.
The suspect was reported to have traveled southbound on Highway 160 following the shooting.
Authorities described the suspect vehicle as a black 2001 Chevrolet extended cab pickup truck equipped with a silver brush guard, black body trim, tinted rear windows, and a three-ball trailer hitch. The vehicle was bearing Missouri license plate 9MG-X36.
A statewide Blue Alert was issued to notify the public and assist in locating the suspect.
Law enforcement officials urged residents not to approach the vehicle or suspect if located, but instead to immediately call 911 and provide detailed information while remaining at a safe distance.
Christian County is situated south of Springfield and north of Branson, an area that sees significant travel due to its proximity to the Ozarks.
Multiple agencies across the region coordinated efforts in response to the alert.
Authorities have not yet released further details regarding the circumstances surrounding the shooting or the status of the investigation.
Law enforcement officials expressed their condolences to the deputy’s family, colleagues, and the community as they continue to pursue justice in the case.