Minnesota Shooting Suspect Vance Boelter Faces Federal Charges in Lawmaker Attacks
Vance Luther Boelter, 57, is accused of murdering former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, while also injuring state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in separate incidents. Boelter allegedly used a police uniform, a silicon mask, and a black SUV with flashing emergency lights to stage his attacks, raising concerns about his access to law enforcement equipment. Authorities are referring to the incidents as a ‘targeted’ attack, with Boelter reportedly having an extensive security background and ties to private security firms.
The Minnesota man accused of murdering a lawmaker and her husband, and leaving another lawmaker and his wife injured while dressed as a police officer possessed an extensive security background, raising questions about his access to weapons and law enforcement uniforms in what authorities are calling a ‘targeted’ attack. Boelter is accused of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and shooting state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in separate incidents early Saturday morning.
Boelter allegedly arrived at both lawmakers’ homes dressed in a law enforcement-like uniform and driving a black SUV with flashing emergency lights and a license plate that read ‘police.’
Boelter wore a black tactical vest and body armor. He carried a flashlight and a Beretta 9 mm handgun, and also wore a hyper-realistic silicon mask. Senator Hoffman had a security camera. I’ve seen the footage from that camera, and it is chilling. Boelter knocked on Senator Hoffman’s front door, and repeatedly shouted, ‘This is police. Open the door.’ When Hoffman and his wife approached, Boelter allegedly shined a flashlight into their faces before shooting them and fleeing the scene. The couple’s daughter then called 911, according to Thompson.
Bill Stanton, a former NYPD officer and author of ‘Prepared Not Scared,’ told Fox News Digital that the initial knee-jerk reaction of a real cop responding to an unfamiliar police vehicle would be to assume it represents a law enforcement agency they weren’t aware of. ‘My first instinct wouldn’t be that this is a fake cop looking to kill someone. The reason being is it’s so rare, because it’s such a heavy charge – impersonating a police officer. That’s a major felony in many, many states,’ Stanton said.
After leaving Hoffman’s home, Boelter then allegedly drove to Hortman’s residence and knocked on the lawmaker’s door wearing a silicone mask and law enforcement uniform. At the same time, local police were en route to Hoffman’s home to conduct a wellness check. ‘The New Hope police officer pulled up next to Boelter, rolled down her window and attempted to speak with him. Boelter did not respond. The New Hope police officer proceeded to the state senator’s home, and she waited for law enforcement to arrive. By the time they did, Boelter had left the scene,’ Thompson explained.
Boelter allegedly fled on foot, prompting a two-day-long manhunt that ended with him being taken into custody without incident. Fox News Digital was unable to immediately identify an attorney for Boelter. The suspect’s extensive history in private security and prior law enforcement training may have provided him with the tools needed to carry out the alleged crimes, according to Stanton. ‘It was a long decline into insanity with this guy. An obsession – he started targeting; My guess is he’s been doing this for years. And then finally, there was some trigger event that made him activate.’
Boelter’s ties to private security and prior law enforcement training may have provided him with the tools needed to carry out the alleged crimes, Stanton said. ‘The odds of someone perpetuating themselves as a false cop are so rare [that] the odds are much greater that you’re going to get straight up mugged, robbed or burglarized,’ Stanton added. ‘The fact that this was politically motivated and someone went to such obsessive means to achieve their end, that’s why this isn’t an everyday occurrence.’ However, Stanton stresses that there are ways to stay safe if an individual appears suspicious, such as calling the police to confirm an officer’s identity before engaging or driving to a police station while being pulled over. ‘We see videos of thugs trying to kick in the door with a mask or a hoodie on,’ said Stanton. ‘That’s what’s going to happen a lot sooner than someone identifying themselves as a cop. So be prepared, not scared, and have your situational awareness of security.’
Boelter is charged with two counts of stalking, two counts of murder, and two counts of firearm-related crimes in federal court. He is also facing second-degree murder charges on the state level. His LinkedIn page listed his roles as director of Praetorian Guard Security Services, a company created by his wife, and CEO of Red Lion Group, with recent postings indicating active job availability in Central Africa.