The man charged in connection with the recent shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses has been identified as Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old doomsday prepper. According to newly unsealed court filings, Boelter had allegedly instructed his family to “prepare for war” as he attempted to avoid capture following the tragic incidents. He now faces multiple federal and state murder charges stemming from the alleged shooting deaths of Democratic Minnesota State House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, on June 14.
In the early hours of June 14, Boelter is also accused of shooting and seriously injuring Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, approximately 90 minutes prior to the attack on the Hortmans. Law enforcement officials first reported on these details, highlighting the alarming nature of the shootings, which have shaken the Minnesota political community.
In a newly unsealed affidavit, law enforcement provided crucial information regarding the aftermath of the shootings. Hours after the attacks, Boelter’s wife and their four children were pulled over near Lake Mille Lacs, located about 75 miles (120 km) north of the Twin Cities, as they appeared to be heading toward Wisconsin. During a consensual search of the vehicle, law enforcement discovered a revolver in the glove box, a semi-automatic pistol in a cooler, and a safe containing Boelter's and the children's passports, along with at least $10,000 in cash.
Boelter’s wife informed investigators that her husband had recently sent a disturbing message to a group chat with their children. This message reportedly warned them to “prepare for war” and indicated that they needed to evacuate the house due to the possibility of armed individuals arriving at their home. According to the affidavit, which was filed on the day of the shootings, both Boelter and his wife engaged in prepping, a lifestyle that includes stockpiling materials like food, weapons, and gasoline to survive potential disasters or societal collapse.
Remarkably, Boelter had provided his wife with a “bailout plan” detailing what actions to take and where to go in the event of an emergency. This plan explicitly directed the family to relocate to her mother’s residence in Spring Brook, Wisconsin. Furthermore, she disclosed that her husband had a business partner residing in Washington, with whom he co-owned a security company and fishing venture in Congo, Africa.
The deadly shootings occurred at a time when millions were preparing to protest against the Trump administration's perceived attacks on free speech, peaceful assembly, and due process rights, deeply embedded in the U.S. Constitution. The affidavit, authored by FBI agent Terry Getsch, was filed during what became the largest manhunt in Minnesota state history, as law enforcement feared that Boelter may have crossed state lines.
Boelter was ultimately apprehended two days later while attempting to evade arrest by fleeing into a wooded area near his home. The affidavit does not suggest that his wife was aware of his alleged intentions to attack the lawmakers, and she has not been charged with any crime.
Reports indicate that Boelter disguised himself as a police officer, operating a black SUV with a license plate labeled “police.” He allegedly ambushed the lawmakers at their homes during the night, knocking on their doors while armed with a 9mm handgun, wearing a black tactical vest and a silicone mask. A shootout with police occurred around 3:30 AM outside the Hortmans’ residence, but Boelter managed to escape the scene.
According to separate court documents obtained by WCCO, investigators discovered a storage locker rented by Boelter in Minneapolis, which he had accessed just a day before the shootings. Inside the locker, law enforcement found empty rifle cases, gun-cleaning supplies, and a bicycle. Moreover, they identified a “hit list” of individuals in what they believe was Boelter’s vehicle, which included the names of Hortman, Hoffman, and several other Democratic lawmakers, along with reproductive rights advocates.
In a statement released by the Hoffman family, they expressed their distress over the attack, stating, “We are grappling with the reality that we live in a world where public service carries such risks as being targeted because someone disagrees with you or doesn’t like what you stand for.” This sentiment echoes the broader concerns regarding the safety of public officials in today's increasingly polarized political climate.
