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
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.