Latest news with #VanceBoetler
The Hill
10 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
State lawmakers move to delete addresses online after Minnesota shootings
State lawmakers in at least three states are taking steps to hide their addresses from public view following the targeted killing of a prominent Minnesota state lawmaker this weekend. Investigators on Sunday arrested Vance Boetler, who has been charged in the alleged murder of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the attempted murder of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Both politicians were Democrats. Prosecutors say Boetler, accused of carrying out the attacks early Saturday morning after months of planning, also had a hit list of names of Democratic officials, abortion providers and advocates. On Saturday, the North Dakota Legislature's staff agency removed lawmakers' addresses from their biographical webpages, Legislative Council Director John Bjornson told the Associated Press. Home addresses for New Mexico legislators were removed from the Statehouse website as an immediate precaution, said Shawna Casebier, director of the Legislature's legal office, confirmed to the AP. Colorado has temporarily taken down its public campaign finance database after at least 31 elected officials requested to have their information removed from the platform, Axios reported. Lawmakers in Wisconsin have also requested increased security at the state capital. Typically, the legislature is open to the public seven days a week with little security or screening for metal devices prior to admittance. A day before the Minnesota shooting, Oregon passed a law that would prevent the Secretary of State from publishing the residential addresses of individuals involved in political campaigns. Georgia, Maryland, Illinois, New Jersey and Louisiana passed similar laws in recent years.
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
U.S. Rep. Joyce Beatty reveals her name was on Minnesota shooting suspect's 'materials'
Congresswoman Joyce Beatty, a Columbus Democrat, was on a potential hit list of a man accused of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and wounding another lawmaker and his wife. In an emailed statement June 16, Beatty extended her sympathies to friends and loved ones of Minnesota House Speaker and Rep. Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, whom authorities say were fatally shot June 14 by 57-year-old Vance Boetler. Boetler, who was driving one of the "police type vehicles" owned by the security company he works for and is an evangelican Christian Republican opposed to abortion rights, went to the Hortman home after authorities say he shot State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home a short time earlier. Hoffman and his wife remained hospitalized. According to Beatty, her office was notified that her name was found on Boetler's materials. Security around Beatty was then increased, she said in the statement. "I am grateful to the U.S. Capitol Police and the Columbus Police Department for their swift response," said Beatty, who would not share more information as the investigation remains ongoing. "We must do better in how we engage one another as Americans. Our democracy demands nothing less," Beatty said. Boetler's attack on the lawmakers was described as "targeted" by law enforcement. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called Hortman's death a "politically motivated assassination." A massive two-day manhunt described as the largest in Minnesota history resulted in Boetler's arrest without incident June 15 in a wooded area near his home on June 15. He has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder. Beatty was among four Democratic representatives who did not participate in a narrow June 11 vote on the fate of funding for NPR and PBS as well as foreign aid already approved by Congress. Beatty, who represents Columbus and eastern and northeastern suburbs in Franklin County, was not present for the vote, which passed 214-212. Four Republicans joined with all present Democrats in voting against the measure. Beatty's office issued a statement saying she missed the vote "due to a medical procedure that could not be delayed." Her office did not provide additional information about the procedure, saying only that Beatty, 75, "is in good health." Reporter Shahid Meighan can be reached at smeighan@ at ShahidMeighan on X, and at on Bluesky. This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Rep. Beatty says her name was on Minn. shooting suspect's materials
