Unearthed video shows Minnesota shooting suspect dancing at bizarre religious ceremony as links to Africa are revealed

Daily Mail​

9 hours ago

Newly unearthed video shows Vance Boelter, the subject of a massive FBI manhunt, dancing in a church service as his links to Africa were revealed.
The video, filmed in February 2023, shows Boelter, 57, delivering a passionate testimony about how he met Jesus at the age of 17.
'I met the Lord when I was 17 years old and I gave my life to Jesus Christ,' he says in the clip.
He goes on to describe naming his five children after Christian virtues, Grace, Faith, Hope, Joy, and David, in what he calls a testament to God's blessings on his life.
But Boelter the preacher is now the prime suspect in what authorities have described as a targeted political assassination.
Boelter is accused of posing as a police officer and fatally shooting Democratic Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband inside their Brooklyn Park home early on Saturday.
Hours earlier, Boelter allegedly shot and wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home in nearby Champlin. In that case, both victims survived but remain in hospital
The video shows Boelter not only preaching but also describing himself as a man transformed by God. His passionate 25 minute sermon stands in stark contrast to the grim reality of the manhunt now underway.
The footage comes to light as it was revealed Boelter was the CEO of a security company called The Red Lion Group, which is based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Red Lion Group has since deleted its website and LinkedIn pages, but Boelter's LinkedIn said he started at the company in December 2021.
He also worked with Minnesota Africans United, a statewide organization working with African immigrants in the state.
Two years ago, Boelter announced ago that he was in the country with his company, working on 'private business projects.'
He claimed to have business ventures in a host of industries including fishing, farming, media, security, and motorcycle-taxis all within the Democratic Republic of Congo.
'We're partnering with 400 farmers who are ready to go on a farming project… we're doing a fishing project that works with like 500 fishermans…that's off the coast of Rwanda,' Boelter stated in an online video.
'Another one that we're looking at doing is a totally women led motorcycle-taxi business, where all the operators are women, and the leadership is women, so we're excited to get that off the ground,' Boelter explained in his pitch.
'I would like to get 1,000 female motorcycle-taxis running in the near future but we need some sponsors to invest in that,' he went on.
About one month ago Boelter updated his LinkedIn to say he had returned to the US and was looking for work in the food industry on the corporate side.
'I'm looking for roles in Texas, Minnesota, Florida, and Washington DC-Baltimore area ideally, but would look at other locations if I felt it was a good fit,' he wrote.
Boelter also has armed security experience in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and North America through the Praetorian Guard Security Services, a biography about him on the site said.
'He brings a great security aspect forged by both many on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the US Military,' it reads.
'Vance has focused all this experience to make sure Praetorian Guard Security Services covers the needs you have to keep your family and property safe.'
He had previously worked at 7-Eleven and Geencore as a general manager, a system manager at Del Monte Foods, and a operational leader at Johnsonville Sausage, according to his LinkedIn.
His LinkedIn also revealed his deep connections to politics, as he asked his followers to vote ahead of the 2020 election.
Boelter, a husband and father-of-five, holds degrees in international relations, management, and leadership for the advancement of learning and service from various Minnesota and Wisconsin universities.
The FBI has offered a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter's arrest, and authorities have described him as armed, dangerous, and potentially targeting more lawmakers.
The footage shows Boelter delivering an emotionally charged sermon to a small congregation.
He can be heard preaching about repentance, God's plan, and the power of faith as the ultimate equalizer between rich and poor.
At one point, he describes his family as a divine gift and says, 'God has a plan for each of us... and no one can take you out of it - only you can walk away.'
The message is intensely spiritual while also laced with a level of determination that authorities now fear may have spiraled into extremist belief.
Law enforcement sources say Boelter left behind 'No Kings' flyers and written manifestos naming Hortman, Hoffman, and other elected officials.
Though officials have not publicly stated a motive, one source said that Boelter's writings expressed rage toward pro-choice lawmakers and contained elements of anti-government ideology.
Boelter is a former political appointee who served on Minnesota's workforce development board - the same one as Senator Hoffman, though it's unclear how well the two men knew each other.
He also ran a private security firm with his wife, Praetorian Guard Security Services, which promoted armed event security and featured imagery of tactical gear and patrol vehicles resembling police cruisers.
Police say Boelter used that look to his advantage. After allegedly shooting the Hoffmans around 2am, officers responded to the second scene at Hortman's house and found Boelter outside, dressed as a law enforcement officer and standing next to a police-style vehicle.
When they approached, he opened fire and escaped on foot during the exchange.
Inside his vehicle, investigators recovered multiple AK-style rifles. Authorities say he is still believed to be armed with a pistol.
Governor Tim Walz called the killings 'a politically motivated assassination' and warned of broader threats against public officials in a nation increasingly beset by political violence.
'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,' Walz said at a press conference earlier in the day as he ordered flags to fly at half-staff in Hortman's honor.
The former House Speaker, 55, was a central figure in Minnesota politics, known for her support of expanded abortion access and her role in a high-profile standoff with Republicans earlier this year.
Her husband, Mark Hortman, died later at the hospital. Autopsies show both died from multiple gunshot wounds.
Hoffman, 60, remains in critical but stable condition after surgery. Walz said he is 'cautiously optimistic' about the senator's recovery.
The attacks prompted a sweeping security response across the Twin Cities, including the cancellation of several anti-Trump 'No Kings' demonstrations that Boelter may have been monitoring.
State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said the suspect's car contained flyers from the group and writings that mentioned potential future targets.
Boelter reportedly texted friends just before the shootings, writing cryptically: 'I've made some choices... I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly. I just want to let you know I love you guys and I wish it hadn't gone this way.'
As the FBI, state police, and local law enforcement fan out in search of him, residents remain shaken by the attacks.
'This is crazy - someone going after representatives?' said Douglas Thompson, a Brooklyn Park resident. 'This is wrong. I'm hoping they'll catch him.'