Latest news with #MinnesotaDepartmentofPublicSafety
Yahoo
11-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Sheriff Bob Fletcher critiques agency info-sharing after lawmaker shootings
After last month's shootings of two state lawmakers and their spouses, Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher is pressing public safety officials for answers on how they handled notifying legislators and law enforcement agencies of the ongoing threat. In a letter to security officials at the Minnesota Capitol, Fletcher raised concerns about information sharing between law enforcement and state leaders as a man suspected of shooting lawmakers while disguised as a police officer remained at large in the early morning hours of June 14. Fletcher said the Ramsey County Sheriff's Office did not learn of the shootings, details about the suspect, or the fact that the suspect had been targeting lawmakers until hours after the information had become available to other officials and law enforcement agencies. 'Few things are more troubling than not being informed for several hours that a murderer is roaming the northern suburbs with a 'hit list' in search of his potential victims, many of whom reside in your patrol jurisdiction,' the sheriff wrote in a July 7 letter addressed to the Minnesota House Sergeant at Arms and the Capitol Security Division of the Minnesota State Patrol. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety disputes Fletcher's claims. 'This letter does not accurately represent the manner in which law enforcement responded to the tragic events on June 14,' Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said in a statement this week. 'Notifications were sent to the proper parties early that morning. We'll be discussing that in greater detail with the sheriff and the others as the investigation continues.' Vance Boelter, 57, faces federal and state prosecution for the fatal shootings of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at their home in Brooklyn Park, and shooting state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin. Authorities captured him near his home outside Green Isle, Minn., after a two-day manhunt. Boelter allegedly had a list of addresses for Democratic elected officials and abortion providers in his vehicle, and visited the homes of Sen. Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, and Rep. Kristin Bahner, DFL-Maple Grove. Bahner was not home at the time, and Boelter allegedly left Rest's street after a police officer arrived. Local police became aware of the shootings just after 2 a.m., when Hoffman's daughter called 911, and started responding to north Hennepin County legislators' homes. Though a widespread alert did not happen until after 3:30 a.m., when officers encountered the shooter at the Hortmans' Brooklyn Park home. The Department of Public Safety said teletype notifications — digital inter-agency notices — went out to metro-area law enforcement agencies: one from the Brooklyn Park Police Department at 4:25 a.m. and another from the State Patrol at 4:40 a.m. Those notifications mentioned that the suspected shooter appeared to be impersonating a police officer and urged agencies to monitor elected officials' residences. Asked about the teletype notifications, Fletcher said they lacked complete information and should have included lawmakers' addresses so law enforcement could know where to go. He also said the notifications included a description of the suspects' vehicle, even though the suspect had abandoned the vehicle at the Hortmans' Brooklyn Park house after encountering police. Fletcher is calling for a review of the events of June 14, possibly through a legislative audit, to answer questions about which agency should be responsible for notifying lawmakers and law enforcement of potential threats. The biggest concern, he said, is that it's unclear who exactly should be notifying lawmakers and state law enforcement of potential threats. While there were various messages sent by the sergeant at arms, legislative staff, and law enforcement agencies, the level of information available in different communications was at times patchy and delayed, he said. 'I was never suggesting at the time that I wrote the letter that we need to blame someone,' Fletcher said in an interview. 'In fact, my letter says we need to figure out who's even responsible.' A group of 150 sheriffs and police chiefs received a briefing from the Department of Public Safety on this week, Fletcher said, adding that the agency plans a review of what happened the morning of June 14. The House sergeant at arms falls under the authority of House leadership. House Speaker Lisa Demuth, R-Cold Spring, said there will be a review of the response to the shootings. 'I am grateful for the prompt and heroic efforts by law enforcement on the day of this horrific attack,' she said in a statement. 'As with every major public safety incident, there will be top-to-bottom reviews of the response as well as significant work to examine improvements to safety and security measures.' Fletcher's letter to Capitol security and the House sergeant at arms comes as he continues to press state leaders to boost security at the state Capitol. In a July 1 letter, Fletcher asked members of the Advisory Committee on Capitol Security, a bipartisan panel chaired by Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan, to consider electronic screening of visitors. Measures should include metal detectors or X-ray machines to screen for weapons, the sheriff wrote, telling the committee that his office would be ready to assist with any efforts. The advisory committee so far hasn't weighed in publicly on any specific changes at the Capitol. In June, members issued a statement saying they were committed to boosting security but stopped short of endorsing any specific measures. MN counties could see strain, 250K could lose coverage under Medicaid changes in Trump's big bill Letters: It's our duty to rediscover the hope and promise of America Stillwater to consider downtown 'sip-and-stroll' social district St. Paul: Grants aim to support Arcade Street businesses during road work Boating permits, lane splitting, free water at shows: New MN laws start July 1
USA Today
28-06-2025
- Politics
- USA Today
Funeral service held for slain Minnesota lawmaker and husband
ST. PAUL, Minn. - Family, friends and dignitaries from across the country, including former President Joe Biden, former Vice President Kamala Harris, and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, are attending the funeral Saturday, June 28, for Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis. Walz on June 24 announced details about the June 28 funeral, which began at 10:30 a.m. and is being livestreamed on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's YouTube page. The Hortmans and their golden retriever, Gilbert, lay at the Minnesota Capitol Rotunda for the public to pay their respects from 12 to 5 p.m. on June 27, according to the governor's office. According to the release, Hortman was the first woman and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to lie at the Capitol. The three were killed on June 14 in a targeted attack. Vance Boelter allegedly impersonated a police officer and knocked on the couple's door before shooting them. He is currently in custody, facing both federal and state charges. Boelter also reportedly shot Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Both are alive and recovering from their gunshot wounds.
Yahoo
28-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Slain Minnesota lawmaker to lie in state before funeral
Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband, Mark, will lie in state at the Minnesota Capitol on Friday for public viewing after they were assassinated in their home during a 'politically motivated' attack earlier this month. Hortman will become the first woman and one of 20 Minnesotans to lie in state in the Capitol rotunda prior to burial. Their golden retriever, Gilbert, who was euthanized due to gunshot wounds, will rest alongside them. 'She built bridges across the aisle and she kept her diverse caucus together to usher through some of the most consequential legislation in our state's history,' Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.) said of Hortman, as reported by The Associated Press. Those interested in paying their respects to the three will be allowed in the state Capitol from noon to 5 p.m. Friday. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday with limited in-person space. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety will livestream the proceedings on its YouTube channel. The Hortmans' death sparked concerns for lawmakers across the country as the gunman, Vance Boelter, had a list of multiple Democratic targets. Boelter shot state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette, on June 14 and also visited the homes of state Sen. Ann Rest (D) and state Rep. Kristin Bahner (D), according to federal prosecutors. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
24-06-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
Slain Minnesota lawmaker to lie in state before funeral
Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband Mark will lie in the state Capitol Rotunda on Friday for public viewing after they were assassinated in their home during a 'politically motivated' attack earlier this month. Hortman will become the first woman and one of 20 Minnesotans to lie in the Capitol prior to burial. Their Golden Retriever Gilbert, who was euthanized due to gunshot wounds, will rest alongside them. 'She built bridges across the aisle and she kept her diverse caucus together to usher through some of the most consequential legislation in our state's history,' state Rep. Kelly Morrison (D-Minn.) said of Hortman, as reported by the Associated Press. Individuals interested in paying their respects to the three will be allowed in the Capitol from noon to 5 p.m. Friday. Funeral services are scheduled for Saturday with limited in-person space. The Minnesota Department of Public Safety will livestream the proceedings on its YouTube channel. The Hortman's death sparked concerns for lawmakers across the country as the gunman, Vance Boetler, had a list of multiple Democratic targets. Boelter shot Sen. John Hoffman (D-Minn.) and his wife, Yvette, on June 14 and also visited the homes of Sen. Ann Rest (D-Minn.) and Rep. Kristin Bahner (D-Minn.), according to federal prosecutors.
Boston Globe
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Boston Globe
Minnesota lawmaker shot to death at home to lie in state at Capitol ahead of funeral
The Hortmans' golden retriever, Gilbert, who was seriously wounded in the attack and later had to be euthanized, will also lie in state with the couple. The public can pay their respects at the Capitol from noon to 5 p.m. Friday. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up A private funeral is set for 10:30 a.m. Saturday. A livestream will be available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's YouTube channel. Advertisement Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, faces state and federal murder and other charges in the shootings. He surrendered June 15 after what authorities have called the largest search in Minnesota history. His next court appearance is also on Friday. Two of the six federal counts against him can carry the death penalty. Federal prosecutors allege Boelter also stopped at the homes of two other lawmakers that night and had dozens of other Democrats as potential targets, including officials in other states. A lifelong friend, David Carlson, told The Associated Press last week that Boelter had been struggling to find work and was wrestling with a 'darkness that was inside of him' at the time of the shootings. He said Boelter did not hold back when it came to his distaste for Democrats but he never seemed threatening or talked to him about any of the officials who he allegedly targeted. Advertisement Boelter's federal defenders have declined to comment on the case. He remains jailed and has not entered a plea.
