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.
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.