Crime
Target List Revealed: Who Was Next on Minnesota Shooting Suspect Vance Luther Boelter Hit List?
In a disturbing new development out of Minnesota, law enforcement officials have revealed that the suspect accused of assassinating State Representative Melissa Hortman left behind a detailed list of potential future targets.
The list, recovered from the suspect’s vehicle, included the names of several prominent Democratic leaders: Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, U.S. Senator Tina Smith, and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, according to sources familiar with the investigation.
Also named on the list were State Senator John Hoffman and Representative Melissa Hortman — both of whom were targeted in the recent attacks.
Hortman was killed alongside her husband, Mark Hortman, while Senator Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were seriously injured but are currently recovering.
The suspect has been identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter of Green Isle, Minnesota.
Boelter, who has a background in security and was previously appointed to the Governor’s Workforce Development Council by both former Governor Mark Dayton in 2016 and Governor Tim Walz in 2019, remains at large.
Authorities say he was impersonating a police officer at the time of the shootings and may have worn a realistic latex mask to conceal his identity.
According to Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, the list of intended targets was found alongside a manifesto in the suspect’s vehicle.
It also reportedly included abortion providers and pro-choice advocates, indicating a broader ideological motive behind the attacks.
During a press briefing, Chief Bruley confirmed that the manifesto referenced multiple elected officials and offered insight into Boelter’s extremist views.
A shootout occurred between Boelter and law enforcement officers shortly after the second shooting at the Hortmans’ residence. Despite the exchange of gunfire, Boelter was able to flee on foot and remains the subject of an active statewide manhunt.
Governor Tim Walz, who confirmed the deaths of Representative Hortman and her husband, emphasized the gravity of the situation in a recent statement. “This is a targeted attack on our democracy,” Walz said. “We are doing everything in our power to locate the suspect and ensure the safety of our public officials.”
Authorities have issued a shelter-in-place order for residents within a three-mile radius of the Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park.
The public is urged not to approach anyone impersonating a police officer and to call 911 immediately if they see someone matching the suspect’s description.
Officers working in the area are now required to operate in pairs to reduce the risk of further impersonation.
The investigation is ongoing. Anyone with information about Boelter’s whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement.
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.