Who is Vance Boelter? Man accused of killing Minnesota lawmaker and her husband had a list of 70 targets

Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested Sunday after a two-day manhunt for allegedly killing Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, a top Democratic state lawmaker, and her husband, Mark. Authorities say Boelter posed as a police officer before carrying out the Saturday morning attack, which Governor Tim Walz called a “politically motivated assassination.” He is also accused of shooting and wounding another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home nearby.

Law enforcement tracked Boelter to Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis, where his vehicle and belongings were found abandoned on a remote road. He was taken into custody without incident.

A notebook recovered from the suspect reportedly contained a hit list of more than 70 names, including Democratic lawmakers, doctors, community leaders, and Planned Parenthood locations. Authorities also said Boelter wore a ballistic vest, gloves, and a mask during the attacks.

Earlier, police found an SUV resembling a police vehicle parked outside Hortman’s home in Brooklyn Park. It had flashing lights and contained a list of potential political targets. Public records and online postings reviewed by Reuters show Boelter had links to evangelical ministries and claimed security experience in the Gaza Strip and Africa.

Boelter has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, according to a Hennepin County criminal complaint. Three of the charges carry prison terms of up to 40 years.

Authorities said Boelter fled on foot after an exchange of gunfire with police at the Hortman residence, prompting Minnesota’s largest manhunt in recent memory. Police later discovered three AK-47 rifles, a 9mm handgun, and a detailed list of public officials with their addresses in his SUV.

Who Is Vance Boelter?

Boelter is a Minnesota resident with a checkered professional and personal history. A father of five, he spent much of his career in the food industry before switching to funeral services and missionary work in central Africa. Most recently, he worked with funeral homes in Minneapolis and took online courses in mortuary science.

He served on the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board, appointed by Democratic governors in 2016 and again in 2020. Though he and Sen. Hoffman served on the board at the same time, officials say there’s no evidence they had a direct relationship.

Boelter also claimed to be the CEO of a Congo-based nonprofit, Red Lion Group, and delivered sermons that expressed Christian fundamentalist and anti-LGBTQ views. He and his wife operated a private security company called Praetorian Guard Security Services.

Political Views and Personal Struggles

Although listed as unaffiliated in public records, Boelter’s roommate said he voted for Donald Trump and held strong anti-abortion beliefs. Friends noted that he had been struggling with financial and mental health issues in recent years.

A text message Boelter sent Saturday morning hinted at suicidal intent: “I might be dead shortly... I love you guys and I’m sorry for all the trouble this has caused.”

What’s Next

With Boelter in custody, investigators are working to uncover more about his motivations and any links to political extremism. The attack has renewed concerns about the safety of public officials.

Senator Tina Smith said her name was among those listed in Boelter’s notebook, alongside other lawmakers, medical professionals, and institutions. Authorities continue to assess the scope of the threat.

With NYT, Reuter's Inputs