Crime
Exclusive: Minnesota shooting suspect Vance Luther Boelter Resume
An exclusive look at the professional resume of Vance Luther Boelter — the 57-year-old man accused in the targeted shooting deaths of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the wounding of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife — offers insight into the corporate, nonprofit, and self-promotional background of the suspect now at the center of a statewide manhunt.
The resume, reportedly obtained from a recruiter, is laden with polished corporate language.
Boelter presents himself as a seasoned executive with “emotional intelligence” and extensive experience in “senior leadership roles,” overseeing “multimillion-dollar budgets.”
He claims to have held key management positions at major companies, including Nestlé, Del Monte, 7-Eleven, and Johnsonville Sausage.
Since 2021, Boelter lists himself as the CEO and co-founder of an organization called Red Lion Group. While some external reports have described Red Lion Group as a private security firm with operations in Africa — specifically the Democratic Republic of the Congo — Boelter’s own resume omits any reference to Africa or private military activity. Instead, it focuses on his purported efforts to expand the company into new markets and represent it at investor meetings and industry conferences.
There is no mention of political affiliations or extremist views within the document. However, one religious affiliation appears to be implied through Boelter’s educational background: he claims to hold a Doctorate in Leadership from Cardinal Stritch University, a now-defunct private Catholic institution in Wisconsin. Additionally, nonprofit records list him as the president of a religiously inspired charity called “You Give Them Something to Eat,” a name derived from a biblical passage.
Though his resume attempts to project a business-focused, apolitical persona, Boelter has expressed ideological concerns publicly. In a 2019 comment posted on LinkedIn, he urged followers to “pray for the political future of the United States” and encouraged people to “vote your values.” He described the then-upcoming election as one with the potential for “greater impact” than any in recent history.
Authorities say that Boelter, who remains at large, left behind a manifesto and a target list in his vehicle.
That list reportedly included not only the names of Representatives Hortman and Hoffman but also prominent Democratic figures such as Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, U.S. Senator Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Abortion providers and pro-choice activists were also among the listed targets.
The intention in sharing Boelter’s resume is to provide verified, factual context amid growing speculation and misinformation surrounding this high-profile and politically charged case.
While law enforcement continues to withhold certain details, documents like these may contribute to a clearer public understanding of the suspect’s background.
Crime
16-year-old Khyon Smith-Tate found shot to death inside Chipotle bathroom on edge of Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia
PHILADELPHIA — A 16-year-old boy was fatally shot inside the bathroom of a Chipotle restaurant near Temple University’s campus in North Philadelphia on Monday afternoon, police said, as students and staff returned for the first day of the Spring 2026 semester.
The shooting occurred at approximately 5:00 p.m. inside the Chipotle located in the 1100 block of West Montgomery Avenue, on the ground floor of The View at Montgomery apartment complex. The building is situated near Temple University’s Student Center and TECH Center.
Police later identified the victim as Khyon Smith-Tate, a North Philadelphia resident. Philadelphia Police Chief Inspector Scott Small said Smith-Tate was found with a gunshot wound to the chest and was pronounced dead at 5:24 p.m.
Temple University President John Fry and Vice President for Public Safety and Chief of Police Jennifer Griffin issued a joint statement following the incident:
“The loss of life to gun violence is a profound tragedy, and there are no words that can make sense of it. Our thoughts are with the victim’s family and loved ones.”
According to investigators, Smith-Tate and another minor entered the restaurant and requested access to the restroom. Chief Inspector Small said the shooting is believed to have occurred inside the bathroom.
Moments later, employees discovered Smith-Tate suffering from a gunshot wound. Police recovered one spent shell casing from a semiautomatic weapon inside the restroom.
Although the victim’s last known address was approximately eight blocks from the scene, authorities have not indicated what brought him to the location or what led to the shooting.
At the time of the incident, the restaurant was crowded, and multiple individuals inside the business were detained briefly for questioning. However, police said they have not yet obtained any statements from witnesses who reported hearing a gunshot.
A person of interest was taken into custody several blocks from the scene shortly after the shooting, but Chief Inspector Small said that individual’s involvement remains unclear.
As of Tuesday, police confirmed that no arrests have been made and no motive has been established.
Investigators believe Smith-Tate entered the restroom with another minor, though the whereabouts of that individual remain unknown.
Police are also seeking information about three possible suspects, described as teenagers carrying backpacks.
Chief Inspector Small noted that the area is equipped with numerous surveillance cameras, which detectives are reviewing as part of the ongoing investigation.
Authorities are asking anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Philadelphia Police Department.