Minnesota State Patrol reveals ‘No Kings' flyers in car of suspect who shot two lawmakers
The Minnesota State Patrol implored the public not to participate in the planned 'No Kings' protests across the North Star State in light of the attack that killed a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, while badly injuring another politician.
Officials revealed that the suspect behind the deadly attack had flyers for the 'No Kings' rally in their vehicle.
'Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today's planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution,' state patrol said in a statement.
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3 Former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were gunned down in their home.
Melissa Hortman/Facebook
3 Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were injured in a similar shooting at their home a couple miles away from Hortman.
John Hoffman/Facebook
3 People take part in a 'No Kings' protest in Bethesda, Maryland, on the outskirts of Washington in defiance of President Trump.
AFP via Getty Images
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'The photo is of flyers inside the vehicle of the suspect in today's shootings.'
Thousands of 'No Kings' protests had been planned across the US in defiance of President Trump and the 250th Army anniversary parade. Organizers for the demonstrations canceled the planned protests in Northeast Minneapolis.
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CNN
25 minutes ago
- CNN
Live updates: Latest on the manhunt for gunman who shot Minnesota state lawmakers
Update: Date: 7 min ago Title: 10 things to know about the shooting suspect Content: As the search continues for the man accused of impersonating a police officer and killing State Rep. Melissa Hortman and wounding State Sen. John Hoffman, a clearer portrait of the suspect is emerging. Here's what we've learned about Vance Boelter: • Work: While his exact employment status was unknown, we know that Boelter had worked for a security company, Praetorian Guard Security Services, which advertised a fleet of 'police type vehicles' and other equipment that could potentially have aided him in appearing to be law enforcement. The firm was registered to Boelter's home address and listed a woman who is apparently his wife as president and CEO. • Religion: He is an outspoken evangelical Christian who traveled to Africa to tell his story and, in at least one sermon, pointedly questioned American morals on sexual orientation, according to videos and social media posts reviewed by CNN. • Hit list: Names on a list found in his car, which CNN obtained, are largely Democrats or figures with ties to Planned Parenthood or the abortion rights movement. The list included lawmakers such as Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Tina Smith. • Political views: He largely shied away from political posts in his publicly available social media feeds and did not discuss abortion rights in any religious speeches reviewed by CNN. In one talk he gave in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023, he appeared sharply critical of LGBTQ rights. • Link to victim: He served on a state board with Hoffman, records show. In 2019, Gov. Tim Walz put Boelter on the Governor's Workforce Development Board – a group of business owners who recommend policies to the state government. It's unclear how closely Boelter and Hoffman interacted in that role, if at all. • Party affiliation: Boelter registered to vote as a Republican in the early 2000s, state records show. A state document listing his 2019 appointment to a development board noted that he had 'no party preference.' • No record: A search of Minnesota criminal records showed no cases against Boelter aside from some traffic charges. • Education: Boelter's LinkedIn page states he had a doctorate in educational leadership and a master's of science in management, both from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, and he used the prefix Dr. on his website and social media. • Family: Social media posts indicate he has multiple children. • Home: Boelter had a property outside the small town of Green Isle, about 50 miles west of Minneapolis, according to records. Read more about the suspect. CNN's Isabelle Chapman, Curt Devine, Yahya Abou-Ghazala, Anna-Maja Rappard, Scott Glover, John Miller and Rob Kuznia contributed to this report. Update: Date: 7 min ago Title: What happened on Saturday Content: State Rep. Melissa Hortman — the top Democrat in the Minnesota House — and her husband were shot and killed in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to Gov. Tim Walz. Police are now searching for 57-year-old Vance Boelter, the main suspect in the killing, who has been described by Governor Tim Walz as an apparent 'politically motivated assassination.' Boelter is also suspected of shooting Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, who survived the shooting and underwent surgery. Yvette Hoffman saved her daughter Hope's life by throwing herself on top of her, a relative told CNN affiliate KARE. Here's what we know: Update: Date: 13 min ago Title: How police found the suspect at Hortman's home Content: Police were responding to a shooting at Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman's home around 2 a.m. when officers went to check on State Rep. Melissa Hortman, who lived about 9 miles away, at around 3:35 a.m. As they arrived at her home, they encountered the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, dressed like a police officer. As he came out of the house, he exchanged gunfire with the police before escaping on foot, leaving behind what appeared to be a police car at the scene. Police found writings in the vehicle that included a hit list with nearly 70 names. Those named are mostly Democratic politicians or figures with ties to abortion rights, including Minnesota lawmakers Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Tina Smith. Boelter also had survival gear in the vehicle. Boelter is still at large. A shelter-in-place was implemented in Brooklyn Park, but lifted later on Saturday after authorities said they believed he was no longer in the area. Investigators are looking into whether he wore a latex face mask during the shootings, a law enforcement official told CNN. Read part of the police's dispatch audio to emergency services here.
Yahoo
27 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Authorities still searching for suspect in shooting of 2 Minnesota state lawmakers
BROOKLYN PARK, Minn. (AP) — A massive search was stretching into its second day for a man who authorities say posed as a police officer and fatally shot a Democratic state lawmaker in her suburban Minneapolis home, an act Gov. Tim Walz called 'a politically motivated assassination.' Authorities said the suspect also shot and wounded a second lawmaker and was trying to flee the area. Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday. Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin address, about 9 miles (about 15 kilometers) away. Authorities identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, and the FBI issued a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction. They shared a photo taken Saturday of Boelter wearing a tan cowboy hat and asked the public to report sightings. Hundreds of law enforcement officers fanned out in the search for the suspect. Authorities had not given any details on a possible motive as of Saturday night. Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other. The attacks prompted warnings to other state elected officials and the cancellation of planned 'No Kings' demonstrations against President Donald Trump, though some went ahead anyway. Authorities said the suspect had 'No Kings' flyers in his car and writings mentioning the names of the victims as well as other lawmakers and officials, though they could not say if he had any other specific targets. A Minnesota official told AP the suspect's writings also contained information targeting prominent lawmakers who have been outspoken in favor of abortion rights. The official spoke on the condition of anonymity because the investigation was ongoing. Law enforcement agents recovered several AK-style firearms from the suspect's vehicle, and he was believed to still be armed with a pistol, a person familiar with the matter told AP. The person could not publicly discuss details of the investigation and spoke on condition of anonymity. The shootings happened at a time when political leaders nationwide have been attacked, harassed and intimidated amid deep political divisions. 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,' said Walz, a Democrat. He also ordered flags to fly at half-staff in Hortman's honor. 'Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!' President Donald Trump said in a statement. Exchange of gunfire Police responded to reports of gunfire at the Hoffmans' home shortly after 2 a.m., Champlin police said, and found the couple with multiple gunshot wounds. After seeing who the victims were, police sent officers to proactively check on Hortman's home. There they encountered what appeared to be a police vehicle and a man dressed as an officer at the door, leaving the house. 'When officers confronted him, the individual immediately fired upon the officers who exchanged gunfire, and the suspect retreated back into the home' and escaped on foot, Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said. Multiple bullet holes could be seen in the front door of Hoffman's home. John and Yvette Hoffman each underwent surgery, according to Walz. Two Democrats targeted Hortman, 55, had been the top Democratic leader in the state House since 2017. She led Democrats in a three-week walkout at the beginning of this year's session in a power struggle with Republicans. Under a power sharing agreement, she turned the gavel over to Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth and assumed the title speaker emerita. Hortman used her position as speaker in 2023 to champion expanded protections for abortion rights, including legislation to solidify Minnesota's status as a refuge for patients from restrictive states who travel to the state to seek abortions — and to protect providers who serve them. Walz called her a 'formidable public servant, a fixture and a giant in Minnesota." Hortman and her husband had two adult children. The initial autopsy reports from the Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office gave their cause of death as 'multiple gunshot wounds.' The reports said Melissa Hortman died at the scene while her husband was pronounced dead at the hospital. Hoffman, 60, was first elected in 2012 and was chair of the Senate Human Services Committee, which oversees one of the biggest parts of the state budget. He and his wife have one daughter. The suspect Boelter was appointed to the workforce development board in 2016 and then reappointed in 2019 to a four-year term that expired in 2023, state records show. Corporate records show Boelter's wife filed to create a company called Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC with the same Green Isle mailing address listed for the couple. Boelter's wife is listed as president and CEO and he is listed as director of security patrols on the company's website. The website says the company provides armed security for property and events and features a photo of an SUV painted in a two-tone black and silver pattern similar to a police vehicle. Another photo shows a man in black tactical gear with a military-style helmet and a ballistic vest. An online resume says Boelter is a security contractor who has worked in the Middle East and Africa, in addition to past managerial roles at companies in Minnesota. Around 6 a.m., Boelter texted friends to say he had 'made some choices,' the Minnesota Star Tribune reported. In the messages, read to reporters by David Carlson, Boelter did not specify what he had done but said: 'I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn't gone this way. … I'm sorry for all the trouble this has caused.' Political violence Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth, a Republican from Cold Spring, called the attack 'evil' and said she was 'heartbroken beyond words' by the killings. The shootings are the latest in a series of attacks against lawmakers across parties. In April a suspect set fire to the home of Democratic Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro, forcing him and his family to flee during the Jewish holiday of Passover. The suspect said he planned to beat Shapiro with a small sledgehammer if he found him, according to court documents. In July 2024, Trump was grazed on the ear by one of a hail of bullets that killed a Trump supporter. Two months later a man with a rifle was discovered near the president's Florida golf course and arrested. Other incidents include a 2022 hammer attack on the husband of then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in their San Francisco home and a 2020 plot by anti-government extremists to kidnap Democratic Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and start a civil war. Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer said he asked Capitol Police to 'immediately increase security' for Minnesota Democratic Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. He also asked Majority Leader John Thune, a Republican, to hold a briefing on member security. ___ Karnowski reported from Minneapolis, and Durkin Richer from Washington. Associated Press writers Giovanna Dell'Orto in Champlin, Minnesota, Carolyn Thompson in Buffalo, New York, and Michael Biesecker in Washington contributed.
CBS News
38 minutes ago
- CBS News
Manhunt for Vance Boelter, wanted in Minnesota lawmakers' shootings, enters 2nd day
For the second straight day, law enforcement officials are searching for 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter in the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman was shot and killed at her Brooklyn Park home early Saturday morning, according to a report from the Hennepin County medical examiner. Her husband Mark was shot at the home and died at the hospital. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot and wounded roughly 5 miles away at their home in Champlin. Both lawmakers were members of the Democratic Party, representing the northwest corner of the Twin Cities. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Boelter stands at 6-foot-1, weighs roughly 220 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen Saturday morning in Minneapolis, wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, dark long-sleeve shirt, light pants and carrying a dark bag. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension If anyone sees Boelter, officials urge people not to approach him, and to call 911. He should be considered "armed and dangerous," Superintendent Drew Evans with the Minnesota BCA said. Evans added that investigators believe Boelter is working to leave the Twin Cities area. "We still don't know if additional people are involved, but this individual is the one that we're looking as a person of interest right now. But there may be other people with him and we would like to speak to anybody that may have had contact with him at any point in time," Evans said. The Federal Bureau of Investigation released a photo Saturday afternoon that appears to show Boelter standing outside of one of the lawmakers' homes, wearing a mask and dressed like a police officer. The FBI says it is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter's arrest and conviction. The FBI released this image taken from home security video showing Vance L. Boelter, the suspect in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers on June 14, 2025. FBI Anyone with information about Boelter's whereabouts is asked to call the tipline at 877-996-6222 or email "This was a deliberate and violent attack on public servants and their families. We are working with our law enforcement partners and using every available resource to locate and apprehend Vance Boelter. We urge anyone with information to come forward—no detail is too small. The public's vigilance is critical in bringing this individual to justice," said FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Alvin M. Winston Sr. Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension What we know about Vance Boelter Boelter's known address is a rural home in Sibley County, near the town of Green Isle. Boelter's known address in Sibley County. WCCO He works as the director of security patrols at Praetorian Guard Security Services. He previously worked as a general manager at a convenience store chain and at a food manufacturer, according to his LinkedIn profile. In 2016, Boelter was appointed as a private sector representative to the Minnesota Governor's Workforce Development Council by former Gov. Mark Dayton. He served until 2019, when he was appointed by Gov. Tim Walz as a business member on the Governor's Workforce Development Board. His term ended in January of 2023, according to state records. Records show Hoffman served on the same 60-member board during both of Boelter's terms. The board advises the governor and the state legislature on policies aimed at strengthening Minnesota's workforce. In a press conference, authorities said they were investigating whether Boelter knew Hoffman or Hortman. Evans said there is "certainly some overlap with some public meetings" between Hoffman and Boelter, but that they had not determined "the nature of the relationship or if they actually knew each other." He had been living most recently in a home in north Minneapolis, according to a law enforcement source close to the investigation. WCCO Officials said Brooklyn Park police arrived at Hortman's home around 3:35 a.m. and found a police SUV with emergency lights on. The suspect then exited Hortman's home and exchanged gunfire with officers before fleeing on foot. Investigators said they believed the suspect was dressed like a police officer. There was an extensive list of possible targets among writings found in Boelter's vehicle. The list named more than 50 individuals, including officials outside of Minnesota, as well as abortion rights advocates and abortion facilities. There were also fliers in his car referencing a "No Kings" rally. Following the shootings, officials canceled all "No Kings" protests that had been planned in the state for Saturday, though thousands still attended the rally in St. Paul. This story will be updated. , and contributed to this report.
