Crime
Suspect in shooting Minnesota state lawmakers identified as Vance Luther Boelter
Authorities have identified the suspect in the overnight shootings of two Minnesota state lawmakers as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter.
Law enforcement sources informed reporter Julio Rosas that Boelter appears to be the same individual who was appointed to the Governor’s Workforce Development Council in 2016 by then-Governor Mark Dayton and reappointed to the Governor’s Workforce Development Board in 2019 by current Governor Tim Walz.
The shootings, which took place in the early morning hours of Saturday, left Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, dead, and State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, critically injured. The suspect remains at large, and a large-scale manhunt is currently underway.
The first attack occurred shortly after 2:00 a.m. at the Champlin residence of State Senator John Hoffman, a Democrat who has served in the Minnesota Senate since 2013. Senator Hoffman sustained at least two gunshot wounds, while his wife Yvette was struck three times. Both were transported to a local hospital and are receiving medical treatment.
In light of the shooting, officers were dispatched to the home of Representative Melissa Hortman, located just a few miles south in Brooklyn Park near the Edinburgh Golf Course. Representative Hortman, who had served in the Minnesota House since 2005 and was the current Democratic leader, and her husband Mark were found critically injured at the scene. Despite emergency life-saving efforts, both were pronounced dead.
According to a statement from the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, the suspect was dressed as a law enforcement officer and was operating a vehicle made to resemble a police cruiser. Authorities also recovered a manifesto and a list of targeted names from inside the vehicle. No motive has been disclosed at this time.
In response to the attacks, a shelter-in-place order has been issued for residents within a three-mile radius of the Edinburgh Golf Course. Law enforcement officials have urged the public not to approach the suspect, who is considered armed and dangerous.
Due to the suspect’s use of a police disguise, authorities are advising residents to exercise extreme caution. “If a police officer knocks on your door, call 911 to confirm their identity before opening,” the sheriff’s office advised. Licensed officers currently deployed in the area are working in pairs to help distinguish legitimate law enforcement from impersonators.
The investigation is ongoing, and federal, state, and local agencies are actively participating in the search. Anyone with information regarding the suspect’s whereabouts is urged to call 911 immediately.
Crime
Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton Injured in Deadly Mississippi Crash, Mother Confirms He Is Alive and Safe
DESOTO COUNTY, Mississippi — Walls Police Officer Da’Quarius Burton was injured in a deadly two-vehicle collision on U.S. Highway 61 in DeSoto County, Mississippi, but his mother has confirmed that he is alive, safe and recovering following the crash.
Burton, 27, of Memphis, Tennessee, was driving a Dodge Durango involved in the collision shortly after 8 p.m. Wednesday at the intersection of U.S. Highway 61 and Church Road in Walls.
The crash claimed the lives of three people traveling in a Honda Accord. The incident also left another passenger injured and involved employees of the DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office Juvenile Detention Center.
Following the crash, misinformation circulated online suggesting that Burton had died and that he was a juvenile detention officer.
His mother, Tee Burton, publicly addressed the reports, firmly correcting the information and asking people to stop sharing unverified claims.
She confirmed that her son is alive, safe and okay. She also emphasized that he is not a juvenile detention officer.
In her statement, she expressed disappointment over reports falsely identifying her son as one of the people who died in the collision.
She also acknowledged the families who lost loved ones and urged the public to show compassion toward everyone affected by the tragedy.
Her statement included the following message:
“My son is alive!!! He is safe, and he is okay!!!”
She further asked people to verify information before publishing or reposting details that could cause unnecessary emotional distress to families.
According to the Mississippi Highway Patrol, a northbound Dodge Durango traveling on U.S. Highway 61 collided with a westbound Honda Accord traveling on Church Road.
Three occupants of the Honda were pronounced dead at the scene.
Authorities identified the victims as:
- Latasha N. Dodson, 37, of Horn Lake, Mississippi, the Honda driver.
- Eddie L. Dodson Jr., 41, of Byhalia, Mississippi.
- Tamenshia R. Ford, 32, of Horn Lake, Mississippi.
Burton and another passenger in the Honda survived the collision but sustained injuries and were transported to a local hospital. Their specific medical conditions have not been publicly detailed in the information provided.
The DeSoto County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that two people involved in the crash were employees of its Juvenile Detention Center.
One of those employees was Tamenshia R. Ford, who died in the collision. The second employee was seriously injured.
Sheriff Thomas E. Tuggle II expressed condolences following the death of the employee, describing the person as a respected and beloved member of the department.
“Our fallen officer was a respected and beloved member of our team,” Tuggle said.
The sheriff’s office also recognized the employee’s dedication, compassion and commitment to working with young people entrusted to the facility’s care.
State officials confirmed that the Dodge Durango involved in the collision belonged to the Walls Police Department.
The city’s mayor and police chief also confirmed that a Walls police officer was involved in the crash. Burton’s mother has since clarified that her son is the officer and that he survived.
An SUV displaying Walls Police Department identification was seen being towed from the crash scene Wednesday night.
The Mississippi Highway Patrol is leading the investigation into the fatal collision.
Investigators are working to determine the circumstances surrounding the crash. Authorities have not released additional details about what led to the vehicles colliding.
The crash resulted in three deaths and left multiple people injured. Burton’s family has asked the public to respect the victims and their loved ones while avoiding the spread of false information.
The investigation remains ongoing.