Crime
Emergency Alert Issued as Police Launch Door-to-Door Search After Suspect Vance Boelter Vehicle Found in Sibley County
SIBLEY COUNTY, MN — A large-scale manhunt is underway after law enforcement located the vehicle of 57-year-old Vance Boelter, the suspect accused of carrying out a targeted shooting spree that left two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses among the victims.
The vehicle was discovered near Highway 25 and 301st Avenue in rural Sibley County, prompting an immediate emergency alert and coordinated door-to-door searches by multiple law enforcement agencies.
Authorities are warning the public that Boelter is considered armed and extremely dangerous.
Boelter, a Green Isle resident and former appointee to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Council, is accused of impersonating a police officer early Friday morning while conducting armed attacks at the homes of elected officials.
According to investigators, Boelter fatally shot former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their Brooklyn Park residence. Hours earlier, he allegedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their Champlin home, leaving both critically injured.
Law enforcement officials say Boelter was wearing a realistic latex mask and driving a vehicle modified to resemble a law enforcement unit at the time of the attacks.
A manifesto recovered from the abandoned vehicle reportedly listed dozens of current and former political figures, abortion rights advocates, and public officials as potential future targets.
Authorities have issued a shelter-in-place advisory for residents within a multi-mile radius of the area where the vehicle was found.
Local officials are urging residents to remain indoors, lock all doors, secure vehicles, and immediately report any suspicious activity by calling 911.
The search for Boelter remains active and ongoing.
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.