In a shocking turn of events, Vance Boelter has been charged with the fatal shooting of Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, just hours after the incident. According to an affidavit unsealed on Friday, Boelter texted his wife ominous instructions, urging her to prepare for the worst. He warned in their family group chat that they should "prepare for war" and that individuals armed with guns might be approaching their home.
The affidavit, as detailed by FBI agent Terry Getsch, reveals that Boelter and his family identified as "preppers"—individuals who take extreme measures to equip themselves for potential disasters. This lifestyle often includes stockpiling supplies and developing survival skills to navigate catastrophic events. Following the tragic shooting, Boelter’s wife, Jenny Boelter, shared crucial information with law enforcement that highlighted her husband’s alarming behavior.
On June 14, Jenny was pulled over by police in Onamia, a small town located approximately 90 miles north of Minneapolis. At the time, authorities were conducting an extensive manhunt for Vance Boelter. During the traffic stop, she disclosed that her husband had provided her with a "bailout plan" intended for emergencies, which involved fleeing to her mother’s home in Spring Brook, Wisconsin.
Upon inspecting Jenny's vehicle, police uncovered a safe, the family's passports, around $10,000 in cash, and two firearms—a revolver tucked in the glove box and a semiautomatic pistol concealed within a cooler. These findings raised further concerns about Vance Boelter's intentions and state of mind.
Earlier that day, state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot in their residence, while state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, suffered serious injuries during a separate attack. Authorities believe these shootings were part of a "calculated plan" aimed at instilling fear and violence among Minnesota's elected officials and their families.
Investigators assert that Boelter had been preparing for his violent spree for nearly five days, stalking his victims by gathering personal information, addresses, and family details. Throughout the early hours of June 14, Boelter embarked on a violent rampage targeting multiple members of the Minnesota legislature.
Disguised as a law enforcement officer, he first approached John Hoffman’s home at 2 a.m. After the couple opened the door, Boelter allegedly shot them multiple times before escaping the scene. He continued his spree, ultimately targeting the Hortman residence.
Following the shooting at the Hortman home, police officers arrived and confronted Boelter, who fled through the back door, which initiated a 40-hour manhunt. On Sunday, a neighbor recognized Boelter while visiting another neighbor in Green Isle, Minnesota, leading to his eventual surrender to law enforcement.
Residents in the community have expressed confusion and disbelief as they grapple with the stark contrast between the Vance Boelter they knew and the man accused of attempting to murder Minnesota politicians. At 17, he had declared himself a born-again Christian, and experts suggest that his recent online activities reflected alignment with the far-right faction of American Christianity.
Boelter spent the majority of his career in the food industry, harboring aspirations of starting a security business. Neighbors described him and his family as community-oriented individuals who frequented the public pool and participated in Bible study. However, the tragic events surrounding the shootings have raised questions about the potential links between prepping culture and extremism.
While many preppers advocate preparedness for natural or man-made disasters without any violent connotations, the movement can sometimes intersect with extremist ideologies. Historical instances, such as the Oklahoma City bomber Timothy McVeigh, who was known to read survivalist literature, highlight this troubling connection. Law enforcement has also tied other violent offenders to similar movements, emphasizing the need for awareness regarding the potential dangers associated with extreme prepping.
