Vance Boelter's Friend Reveals More Details About Assassination Suspect
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources.
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A friend of Vance Boelter, a suspect in the assassination of Minnesota Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband on Saturday, has revealed his last message to him before the shooting.
Boelter, 57, who was identified by police as a suspect in the shooting on Saturday, reportedly rented a room in the same Minneapolis home as David Carlson, and sent his friend a cryptic text message at 6 a.m. on the day of the incident. Boelter's listed address is in Green Isle, Minnesota, an hour's drive away.
Newsweek has contacted the Minnesota State Patrol and Minneapolis Police Department for comment via email.
Why It Matters
Hortman and her husband, Mark, were pronounced dead Saturday morning after a gunman posing as law enforcement arrived at their home in the early hours and shot them both.
The shooter, who remains at large, had targeted the home of another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, shortly before the attack on the Hortmans. Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot multiple times and have undergone surgery.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called the shooting "a politically motivated assassination."
What To Know
Sitting on the porch of the house that he had shared with Boelter, Carlson read aloud a text message that he received from the suspect at 6 a.m. on Saturday.
The text message, which Carlson read to reporters, said: "David and Ron, I love you guys. I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but 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 don't want to say anything more, I don't want to say anything more and implicate you in any way, because you guys don't know anything about this. But I love you guys and I'm sorry for all the trouble he has caused."
A poster released by the FBI for Vance Boelter, a suspect in the shooting of Minnesota lawmakers on Saturday.
A poster released by the FBI for Vance Boelter, a suspect in the shooting of Minnesota lawmakers on Saturday.
FBI
Carlson said that he had known Boelter since fourth grade, and that he was a loving person who did not seem like the type to carry out an assassination.
"He was a loving caring guy, he loved his family, he loved his friends. He loved God. I don't know why he did what he did. It's not Vance, no one will believe this, no one that grew up with him, he had lots of friends, trust me. I wish I could have been there to stop him."
Carlson told KARE 11that Boelter voted for President Donald Trump in the 2024 election, and that he was a "strong supporter."
However, Carlson said that Boelter had not talked about politics recently, and that he had not given his friends any indication he had an interest in state-level politics or Minnesota lawmakers. There is no indication he is affiliated with a political party.
Minnesota State Patrol said they had found "No Kings" flyers in Boelter's car, which refers to the thousands of demonstrations that took place throughout the United States on Saturday in protest of President Donald Trump's policies—in response, further protests across the state were canceled
Multiple groups carried out demonstrations against Trump's administration and a military parade in Washington D.C. on Saturday, which was also the president's 79th birthday.
Minnesota Flags at Half-Mast
Walz announced that the flags on all state buildings would fly at half-mast to honor Hortman.
Walz said on Saturday: "Minnesota's flags will fly at half-staff in honor and remembrance of Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman. She woke up every morning determined to make Minnesota a better place, and she will be greatly missed."
What People Are Saying
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz wrote in a statement posted to X, formerly Twitter: "Today Minnesota lost a great leader, and I lost a friend. A formidable public servant and a fixture of the state capital, Melissa Hortman woke up every day determined to make our state a better place.
"She served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, and tirelessness. Minnesota's thoughts are with her loved ones, and my prayers are with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were shot and wounded and are being treated."
What Happens Next
The FBI announced on Saturday they are offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter.
"Anyone with information about these shootings or Boelter's location should call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tip line at 877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us. The public is asked to call 911 immediately if they see Boelter. Do not approach him."
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Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Minnesota Democrat, said on during an interview on Sunday that authorities believe Vance Boelter, the suspect in the assassination of Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, is still in the Midwest. The senator said that authorities have put out an alert in South Dakota before adding that authorities believe Boelter may still be "in the vicinity," which means "in the Midwest." Newsweek reached out to the offices of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, South Dakota Governor Larry Rhoden, and Wisconsin Governor Tony Evers for comment outside of normal business hours on Sunday for comment. Why It Matters An assassin shot and killed Hortman and her husband, Mark, early Saturday morning after posing as law enforcement to gain access to their home. The shooter had earlier that morning shot state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in their home, but the couple underwent surgery and are in stable condition at the hospital. Walz called the shooting "a politically motivated assassination," and has enacted a significant manhunt across the state to try and catch Boelter whom authorities identified as a person of interest in the case. Boelter was last seen on security camera footage in a store in Minneapolis, wearing different clothing including a cowboy hat. Police found a list of possible targets in the suspect's vehicle, which named more than 50 individuals, including other politicians, some of whom are outside of Minnesota, abortion rights advocates, and abortion facilities. Police and law enforcement investigate the home of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were shot multiple times earlier in Champlin, Minnesota, on June 14. Police and law enforcement investigate the home of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were shot multiple times earlier in Champlin, Minnesota, on June 14. AP Photo/Giovanna Dell'Orto What To Know During an appearance on NBC News' Meet the Press, Klobuchardiscussed what updates have occurred on Sunday as the manhunt for Boelter continues, including the current scope of the investigation and Boelter's potential whereabouts. When asked if authorities believe Boelter may still be in Minnesota, Klobuchar said: "He may be. They've also put an alert out in South Dakota. You know, when I mean vicinity, I mean in the Midwest." "For a while they believed that he was in one certain area, and he may have been there for a while," the senator added. "So, they had thousands of homes in a shelter in place situation. Now they are continuing to look. And so, the FBI is asking for the public's help with a $50,000 award." Klobuchar noted the various changes in attire Boelter went through over just the first day of his flight, including his initial police-esque attire, which included what looked like some kind of rubber mask, and a later photo taken in Minneapolis, during which he wore a cowboy hat and plainclothes. This image provided by the FBI on Saturday, June 14, 2025, shows part of a poster with photos of Vance L. Boelter. This image provided by the FBI on Saturday, June 14, 2025, shows part of a poster with photos of Vance L. Boelter. FBI via AP "They are looking for him everywhere," Klobuchar said. "He is smart. He was able to impostor a police officer, soup up a car so it seemed like a police car. I know law enforcement has been very clear about this, that people should not approach him, that they should immediately call the tip lines and report. Because we believe he's somewhere in the vicinity and that they are going to find him, but right now everyone is on edge here." 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They obviously have information we don't have." What People Are Saying President Donald Trump on Truth Social: "I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers. Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!" Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison on X: "The Attorney General's Office will do whatever it can to assist law enforcement in their investigation. My heart goes out to Melissa's and Mark's two children and their families." He added: "I'm also praying for Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette and wish them a full and speedy recovery. And I hope Minnesotans can offer grace, care, and kindness to each other in the days ahead." 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The Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI) announced on Saturday they are offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter. "Anyone with information about these shootings or Boelter's location should call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) tip line at 877-996-6222 or email The public is asked to call 911 immediately if they see Boelter. Do not approach him."
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