Minnesota gunman sought in deadly shootings of lawmaker, her husband identified as former appointee of Tim Walz: sources
A former appointee of Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz is being sought in connection with the assassination of a state lawmaker and the shooting of another, police sources said.
Vance Luther Boelter allegedly posed as a police officer when he shot Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in their Champlin home early Saturday, leaving them seriously injured before moving on to former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman's house — where he is believed to have slaughtered her and her husband, sources told The Post.
3 Vance Luther Boelter
Jenny Boeltner/Facebook
3 Vance Luther Boelter
Vance Boeltner/Facebook
Boelter, 57, was appointed by Walz in 2019 to serve a four year stint on the Governor's Workforce Development Board, documents show.
He previously served on the Governor's Workforce Development Council in 2016 under then -Gov. Mark Dayton.
3 Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Melissa Hortman/Facebook
The killer had fliers with the words 'No Kings' in his car, a reference to Saturday's planned protests against the Trump Administration, as well as a 'manifesto' and a list of other politicians' names, said police, who briefly cornered the shooter at Hortman's home before the suspect fled.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Hundreds of Thousands Mock Trump With ‘No Kings' Protests in Every State
The nationwide 'No Kings' protests have stolen attention away from President Donald Trump's big birthday parade celebration with creative rebukes over the MAGA leader's policies using signs, symbols, and even a big 'Baby Trump.' Approximately 2,000 protests, organized in response to Trump's crackdown on undocumented immigrants, are happening in every state nationwide, Forbes reported. While the exact number of people taking part in the protests has not been confirmed, the New York City Police Department estimated a crowd of about 50,000, while an estimated 80,000 protestors came out in Philadelphia. The widespread demonstrations come just as Trump kicked off his 79th birthday parade, which also serves to mark the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Army. The fit-for-a-king occasion is expected to cost around $45 million, complete with tanks and armed service people planned to roll through the middle of Washington, D.C. Yet with several viral images and videos coming out of the 'No Kings' protests, the second-time president may find it difficult to drown it all out. In Los Angeles, a demonstrator donned an oversized head in Trump's likeness, complete with a sign that read 'Me!!' suggesting Trump only cares about himself. Across another part of the city, an inflated 'Baby Trump,' which was comically orange and comically rotund, floated above thousands of protestors on packed streets. In New York City, yellow signs declaring 'People Over Billionaires' took center stage as thousands marched down the streets with photos of crowns crossed out. In another part of the city, demonstrators held an upside down American flag with the word 'No Kings' displayed on it in yellow. Additionally, demonstrators held signs that said 'A King of Fools Is a Danger to Us All.' The 'No Kings' movement also spilled over to activism and awareness online among celebrities and top political voices. Wonder Woman star Lynda Carter tweeted, 'Please look out for each other today and remember, it's WE the people. No kings. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders shared images from a 'No Kings' gathering in his state, writing, 'I was proud to stand with more than 500 people in Stowe today at a No Kings protest.' He added, 'Today, all over the country, tens of thousands of Americans are saying NO to the authoritarianism that has taken hold of our country.' Actors Susan Sarandon and Mark Ruffalo were also spotted at 'No Kings' gatherings in photos in New York City. Others shared photos and clips of the sheer amount of people to turn out for the protests, including thousands in San Diego, Chicago and even Pittsburgh. An X account for the movement tweeted out a steady stream of information on local 'No Kings' demonstrations, how people can get involved, and the principles behind the movement. 'A core principle behind the all No Kings events is a commitment to nonviolent action,' the account shared on X. 'We expect all participants to seek to de-escalate any potential confrontation with those who disagree with our values and to act lawfully at these events.' The 'No Kings' movement was met with plenty of opposition online from MAGA mainstays as they declared that the protests were a moot effort. 'No kings, but all for a monster statist establishment that wants to usher in communism. Spoken like true sheeple,' wrote one MAGA supporter on X user. Yet actor Glenn Closer took to Instagram to provide her own take on the movement. 'It's not about screaming slogans,' she captioned a video message. 'It's not about spitting hatred. It's the calm, unified PRESENCE of MILLIONS of Americans who refuse to let our beloved, magnificent country be sold out to the wannabe KING/OLIGARCH and his RUTHLESS, cruel, scheming puppeteers.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Man Critically Injured in Shooting at 'No Kings' Protest in Utah, Suspect in Custody
A man has been hospitalized with "life-threatening' injuries after being shot at a "No Kings" demonstration in Salt Lake City, Utah, on June 14 A suspect was taken into custody following the shooting incident, according to police The shooting occurred as 10,000 people gathered in the city for the protestA man has been critically injured in a shooting at a demonstration in Utah. At around 7:56 p.m. local time on Saturday, June 14, police responded to a shooting incident at a protest near 151 South State Street. One person was found with a 'critical gunshot wound' and was transported to the hospital, the Salt Lake City Police Department (SLCPD) stated in a news release. 'Preliminarily, the SLCPD believes the shooting involved four people,' the SLCPD said, per the release. The alleged shooter was identified by police with the help of witnesses and taken into custody near 200 East 100 South. 'Paramedics took that person to the hospital, where he remains under police watch with serious injuries resulting from a gunshot wound,' said police. The shooting reportedly occurred during a 'No Kings' protest in Salt Lake City, CBS News reported. Dozens of these demonstrations were held nationwide on June 14 in protest against President Donald Trump's administration, coinciding with Trump's military parade in Washington, D.C. The SLCPD later said in a post on X that they believe the shooting was 'possibly associated with the demonstration.' Salt Lake City Police Chief Brian Redd said at a news conference on Saturday night that two other individuals were taken into custody, but did not give a reason why they were detained, the Salt Lake Tribune reported. Protesters were reportedly seen 'running away from a location near the Wallace F. Bennett Federal Building' after hearing gunshots as officers reportedly yelled 'Gunman!' and 'Man with rifle!' while responding to the scene at a parking garage on State Street, per the Salt Lake Tribune. In a video obtained by the outlet, gunshots can be heard in the area during the protest as the crowd reacts in fear. Photos also show the injured victim collapsed on State Street after being shot, and the possible suspect being taken into custody after being surrounded by police. The motive for the shooting and the events leading up to the incident remain under investigation. Want to keep up with the latest crime coverage? Sign up for for breaking crime news, ongoing trial coverage and details of intriguing unsolved cases. Utah Gov. Spencer Cox said in a statement on X, "The shooting at tonight's protest in Salt Lake City is a deeply troubling act of violence and has no place in our public square. This is an active situation, and we're working closely with law enforcement to ensure accountability." Police are asking anyone with videos and photos of the shooting and moments immediately after to upload these onto the SLCPD's website. PEOPLE has contacted the SLCPD for comment. Read the original article on People
Newsweek
an hour ago
- Newsweek
'No Kings' Protests See Major Crowds, Violence in Some States
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Demonstrators turned out across the U.S. on Saturday to participate in coordinated "No Kings Day" protests, aimed at denouncing President Donald Trump's leadership. While many of the events reportedly remained largely peaceful, several cities saw violent altercations, including a vehicular assault in Virginia and a shooting in Utah. Why It Matters The protests took place in hundreds of U.S. cities, according to Reuters, with large-scale gatherings reported in major hubs such as Philadelphia; Los Angeles; Austin, Texas; Portland, Oregon; and New York. The rallies coincided with the president's 79th birthday and the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary parade in Washington D.C. Protesters carry a banner representing the U.S. Constitution in downtown Los Angeles during a "No Kings Day" demonstration on June 14, 2025. Protesters carry a banner representing the U.S. Constitution in downtown Los Angeles during a "No Kings Day" demonstration on June 14, To Know In Portland, Oregon, officers deployed tear gas and flash grenades, with demonstrators breaching an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility, according to the Daily Mail, which reported that four police officers were injured during the clashes. In Culpeper, Virginia, a 21-year-old man, Joseph R. Checklick Jr., was arrested after allegedly driving his SUV into a dispersing crowd in a parking lot, striking at least one person. Meanwhile, in Salt Lake City, shots were fired during a No Kings march, critically injuring one person. KUTV reported that police took a person of interest into custody after the shooting, which occurred downtown just before 8 p.m., according to the outlet. Despite clashes at some, local reports from around the country noted that many of the demonstrations were large, but peaceful. Protests also took place in cities such as Detroit, and Chicago, where marchers held signs including "Deport Trump to Hell" and "America Is the Land of Immigrants." In Washington D.C., demonstrators wheeled a caricature of Trump wearing a crown and sitting on a golden toilet, the Daily Mail reported. What People Are Saying The San Diego Police Department said on X, formerly Twitter, following protests on Saturday: "You stayed classy, San Diego. Thank you to the thousands who demonstrated peacefully today. No arrests, and no incidents." WGN News Reporter Courtney Spinelli posted on X, Saturday: "Police estimate the crowd at the "No Kings" protest in Chicago was ~15,000 deep. Chicago Police Department Superintendent Larry Snelling: 'What I saw from the start, was a bunch of people that came out here to exercise their first amendment right. They were very peaceful, very complimentary of the officers.' Republican congressional candidate Lily Tang Williams said on X, Saturday: "We ran into the first 'No Kings' protest in Fort Lauderdale, FL. It is peaceful so far, police officers are present, traffic is slow. I heard Miami might have bigger one. Be careful out there and stay calm!" Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said on X, Saturday: "30,000 people showed up across our city to exercise their constitutional right to peaceful protest today—that's powerful. A curfew is in effect in Downtown Los Angeles to stop bad actors who do not care about immigrants' rights. Get home safe, LA." What Happens Next Whether more protests are held in response to Trump's policies remains to be seen.
