Latest news with #PraetorianGuardSecurity
RNZ News
7 hours ago
- Politics
- RNZ News
Minnesota assassination suspect Vance Boelter reportedly in custody
Police identified the suspect in the Minnesota shootings as Vance Boelter, 57. Photo: Supplied / FBI Vance Boelter, the suspect in the assassination and attempted assassination of two Minnesota lawmakers, is reportedly in custody. Boelter is accused of the targeted shootings that killed Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and injured Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Saturday morning local time. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said the shootings appeared to be "politically motivated". Boelter, 57, worked for a security company - Praetorian Guard Security - according to a law enforcement official. The company website said Boelter served as the director of security patrols and had training by people in the US military. Police conducted a massive manhunt in Minnesota for the gunman who killed a Democratic state politician while posing as a police officer. The suspect fled on foot, when officers confronted him at Brooklyn Park home of Hortman and husband Mark. The gunman earlier had shot and wounded Hoffman and wife Yvette at their home a few miles away, authorities said. Minnesota US Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat, said on NBC's "Meet the Press with Kristen Welker" on Sunday morning that investigators believed Boelter was still in the region. Authorities in Sibley County, about an hour by car southwest of Minneapolis, issued an alert on Sunday, saying they had found the suspect's car in Faxon Township and instructing residents to keep their doors and cars locked, the county sheriff's office confirmed. Officers searched residences in the area. More to come
Daily Mirror
17 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mirror
Politician shooting suspect's wife found with passports and weapon in car
The wife of Vance Boelter, 57, who is suspected of shooting two politicians and their partners in Minneapolis, was stopped by police in a traffic stop and found to be carrying a weapon and passports The wife of a man suspected of shooting two US politicians and their partners was questioned by police after a weapon was found in her car along with passports during a traffic stop. A huge manhunt is underway for Vance Boelter, 57, after Democrat Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband Mark were shot dead at their home early on Saturday morning in Brooklyn Park, a city near Minneapolis. John Hoffman, 60, also a Democrat, and his wife Yvette were shot at their home just nine miles away in a related attack, according to police. The Hoffmans each underwent surgery, according to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz who added: 'We are cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt." Police have said that the gunman impersonated a police officer and they believe the attacks to be politically motivated. Hundreds of law officers fanned out across the Minneapolis suburb in pursuit of Boelter and now it has emerged that police stopped his wife Jenny Boelter on Saturday morning between 10am and 11am. The shootings of the Hortmans and the Hoffmans had taken place in the early hours of Saturday. In the traffic stop by police it is understood that Ms Boelter was in a car with 'other relatives' who were questioned in the Onamia area in Mille lacs County. Witnesses said that police remained on the scene for up to three hours with the wife of the suspect. And they told KSTP that in the vehicle was a weapon, ammunition, cash and passports, but it is believed that she was only questioned and not arrested. Meanwhile Kyle Burton, Mille Lacs County Sheriff, told FOX 9 of the traffic stop: "My office assisted law enforcement from Hennepin County on a stop near a convenience store in the city of Onamia. "Our role on this stop was perimeter. We did not search or question any of the occupants. I was told by my staff who responded that the shooting suspect's wife was in the car along with several other relatives." It is not known if Ms Boelter was living with her husband although it is understood that they both previously ran a company called Praetorian Guard Security. She was the President CEO and described as bringing 'years of organizational operations and logistical oversight,' according to the company website. Meanwhile, it said Vance Boelter had security experience in Eastern Europe, Africa, North America, and the Middle East, including in the West Bank, Southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip. A massive search is underway for Boelter, who was dressed like a uniformed officer and operating a vehicle that "looked exactly like an SUV squad car, as it was equipped with lights, emergency lights, and looked exactly like a police vehicle," Police Chief Mark Bruley said. A chilling image of a man believed to Boelter wearing a horror movie-style latex mask was issued. Cops exchanged gunfire with him at Hortman's home, but he managed to flee on foot. The FBI has offered a $50,000 (£36,859) reward for any information relating to the suspect.
Daily Mail
19 hours ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Gunman on loose after killer in TERRIFYING Halloween mask launches political assassinations and friend reveals who he voted for
A Minnesota gunman is on the loose after terrifying images showed the alleged killer wearing a creepy Halloween-style mask before launching into a 'politically motivated assassination.' State Representative Melissa Hortman was shot along with fellow Democrat State Senator John Hoffman in a chilling assassination spree in the early hours of Saturday morning. Hortman and her husband were tragically killed, while Hoffman and his wife suffered serious injuries and were raced to emergency surgery, but officials say they are 'cautiously optimistic' they will recover. The suspect has been identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter - an employee of security company Praetorian Guard Security, where he works as the director of security patrols, according to the website. Chilling photos that emerged Saturday afternoon depict the suspect, who is still on-the-run, donning an unsettling costume mask covering his entire head. Police say Boelter wore the eerie face-concealing disguise with a police uniform as he posed as a cop and gunned down the lawmakers. FBI investigators believe the shootings were politically motivated and are offering a $50,000 reward to for information leading to his whereabouts. Boelter's best friend and roommate David Carlson told local news outlet KARE11 he is an avid Donald Trump supporter and voted for the Republican candidate. He also described the suspect as a Christian who opposes abortion. The night before the deadly shots were fired, Boelter texted his roommates he was 'going to be gone for a while.' Carlson, who shared a North Minneapolis home with Boelter, tearfully read aloud text messages from the accused assassin. 'David and Ron, I love you guys,' the eerie note began. 'I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while.' He also said he 'may be dead shortly' and did not wish to involve Carlson or his other roommate Ron Ramsey. 'I don't know why he did what he did,' Carlson told KARE 11. 'It's just it's not Vance. ... He had lots of friends, trust me, and I wish I could have been there to stop him.' The FBI believes Boelter is attempting 'to potentially flee' the Twin Cities - Minneapolis and St. Paul, The Washington Post reported. Minnesota authorities admitted they let the gunman slip away, despite engaging him in a firefight immediately after the murders at around 4am local time Saturday. The first shooting occurred just after 2am at Hoffman's home in Champlin, about 20 miles from Minneapolis. Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times and are reportedly stable following surgery. The second attack took place at around 4am at Hortman's Brooklyn Park residence, about eight miles south. He was later captured on security camera in Minneapolis wearing a cowboy hat. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect's vehicle - which was made to look like a cop car - contained a 'manifesto', a list of 70 targets including both lawmakers, and signs for an anti-Trump 'NO KINGS' rally set to be held on Saturday. A Minnesota official who has seen the suspect's 'hit list' told CNN that it specifically mentioned 'prominent pro-choice individuals in Minnesota, including many Democratic lawmakers who have been outspoken about pro-choice policy positions.' It was later revealed that the alarming list featured doctors, healthcare centers and Planned Parenthoods, The New York Times reported. Several former and current politicians, as well as Minnesota community and business leaders, were also listed. Some targets were reportedly out of state. Salt Lake County, Utah Mayor Jenny Wilson also expressed her heartbreak over the four victims of the shootings Authorities are in the process of going through that list and urgently alerting those who were named. The alleged shooter has armed security experience in the Middle East, Africa, Eastern Europe, and North America through the Praetorian Guard Security Services, his biography 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 read. '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.' Boelter has also lived a life of public service before today's tragedies, and he even served on the Governor's Workforce Development Board, which works closely with Walz to give advice on the state's workforce. He served on the board from June 2016 to June 2018 as a private sector representative and from December 2019 to January 2023 as a board member. Boelter served on the board alongside one of his victims, Hoffman. During a Saturday press conference, Walz spoke out about the alleged actions of his former appointee. 'Today Minnesota lost a great leader,' he said while discussing Hortman. 'Violence has no place in our political system — and it must end.' Members of Minnesota communities and beyond have been reeling as the frantic manhunt for shooting suspect Vance Boelter rages on. 'What happened today is simply incomprehensible and unimaginable, certainly in the context of Minnesota,' Norm Coleman, a former senator from Minnesota and former mayor of St. Paul, said, according to The New York Times. Senator Tina Smith of Minnesota also spoke out about the death of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, saying she was 'shattered' by the news. She and Senator Amy Klobuchar had just seen the victims at a dinner party on Friday night. Beyond Minnesota, Senator Chris Coons of Delaware has also shared a statement denouncing political violence in America. Salt Lake County, Utah Mayor Jenny Wilson expressed her heartbreak over the four victims of the shootings. 'My heart goes out to the family and friends of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were shot and killed in their home,' she wrote on X. 'My heart also goes out to State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. They, too, were shot while at home. I'm wishing them a quick and full recovery.' According to the Hoffmans' nephew, Mat Ollig, the couple will be bound to the hospital 'for a while,' The New York Times reported. 'It's just shocking that this would happen,' he reflected. In a text message to the outlet on Saturday night, Ollig revealed Yvette 'is awake and alert,' while his family is 'waiting to hear more about John.'
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Gunman on loose after killer in TERRIFYING Halloween mask launches political assassinations and friend reveals possible political affiliation
A gunman was on the loose Saturday night after terrifying images showed the killer wearing a creepy Halloween-style mask before launching into a 'politically motivated assassination.' State Representative Melissa Hortman was shot along with fellow Democrat State Senator John Hoffman in a chilling assassination spree in the early hours of Saturday morning. Hortman and her husband were tragically killed, while Hoffman and his wife suffered serious injuries and were raced to emergency surgery, but officials say they are 'cautiously optimistic' they will recover. The suspect has been identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter - an employee of security company Praetorian Guard Security, where he works as the director of security patrols, according to the website. Chilling photos that emerged Saturday afternoon depict the suspect, who is still on-the-run, donning an unsettling costume mask covering his entire head. Police say Boelter wore the eerie face-concealing disguise with a police uniform as he posed as a cop and gunned down the lawmakers. FBI investigators believe the shootings were politically motivated and are offering a $50,000 reward to for information leading to his whereabouts. Boelter's best friend and roommate David Carlson told local news outlet KARE11 he is an avid Donald Trump supporter and voted for the Republican candidate. They believe Boelter is attempting 'to potentially flee' the Twin Cities - Minneapolis and St. Paul, The Washington Post reported. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said the suspect's vehicle contained a 'manifesto', a list of 70 targets including both lawmakers, and signs for an anti-Trump 'NO KINGS' rally set to be held on Saturday. A Minnesota official who has seen the suspect's 'hit list' told CNN that it specifically mentioned 'prominent pro-choice individuals in Minnesota, including many Democratic lawmakers who have been outspoken about pro-choice policy positions.' It was later revealed that the alarming list featured doctors, healthcare centers and Planned Parenthoods, The New York Times reported. Several former and current politicians, as well as Minnesota community and business leaders, were also listed. Some targets were reportedly out of state. The night before the deadly shots were fired, Boelter texted his roommates he was 'going to be gone for a while.' Carlson, who shared a North Minneapolis home with Boelter, tearfully read aloud text messages from the accused assassin. 'David and Ron, I love you guys,' the eerie note began. 'I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while.' He also said he 'may be dead shortly' and did not wish to involve Carlson or his other roommate Ron Ramsey.
