Latest news with #MinnesotaLawmaker
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Yahoo
Assassination of Minnesota Lawmaker, Husband Also Claims Life of Couple's Rescue Dog
Assassination of Minnesota Lawmaker, Husband Also Claims Life of Couple's Rescue Dog originally appeared on L.A. Mag. When a gunman stalked lawmaker Melissa Hortman, killing her and her husband, there was a third victim: her golden retriever, Paws is a nonprofit organization outside of Minneapolis that aims to train dogs suitable for assisting people with disabilities, veterans, and first responders. Helping Paws hopes to enhance people's quality of life with their dogs and continues to do so each and every day. Hortman, a Minnesota lawmaker, was first introduced to Helping Paws in 2014 through her daughter's high school service project. After her daughter left for college, Hortman continued her involvement with the program and volunteered to train another dog. In 2021, Hortman adopted Gilbert, the friendly, people-loving golden retriever. While she planned to train him to be a service dog, Gilbert's overwhelming friendliness stood in the way of his career options, leading to his permanent adoption as the Hortman's beloved family pet. In a tragic, politically targeted home attack on Saturday, June 14, against Melissa Hortman, both she and her husband were shot and killed. Gilbert was unfortunately shot and injured alongside his owners. After days of fighting for his life, Gilbert sadly had to be euthanized. Gilbert was a profound part of Melissa's identity and a cherished member of the Hortman family. In a statement, Melissa's children announced that one way they intend to keep their mother's memory alive is by petting dogs daily, ideally golden retrievers. Helping Paws announced on their Facebook that they are currently in the process of creating a fund in honor of the Hortmans that will continue to honor and support their program. This story was originally reported by L.A. Mag on Jun 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
Fox News
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Video shows Minnesota lawmaker shooting suspect preaching in Africa years before deadly attack
Video footage has surfaced showing Vance Boelter, the suspected Minnesota lawmaker assassin, delivering a speech at a seminar in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) in 2022. "And when I get excited, I wanna dance," Boelter shouted while jumping up and down. "And what Jesus did for me." "He saved my life!" Boelter exclaimed. "WOOO, I'm excited about God! And I wanna worship him!" Video shows Boelter continuing to jump up and down, shouting and praising God as he shared his message. "Cause he's (Jesus) coming again, and he's got plans, he's got purposes for each one of you and for me." The August 2022 clip is from a seminar in which Boelter shared an enthusiastic message with a congregation at the LaBorne Matadi church in the Congo. The seminar was held jointly by the DRC, Minnesota Africans United (MAU) and Global Minnesota. Global Minnesota shared a statement with Fox News Digital stating that they were "shocked and deeply saddened at the heinous violence," but explained that Boelter is not associated with their organization. "In August 2022, Global Minnesota had contact with Vance Boelter through a virtual panel discussion. He was referred by a third party and participated from abroad," the statement read. "He was never paid, hired, or contracted by Global Minnesota and has never served in any formal or informal capacity with the organization. Global Minnesota has had no connection or contact with Mr. Boelter since the webinar." The Global Impact Center also shared a statement with Fox News Digital and said their mission is to "engage in community development programs" and acknowledged that Boelter had spoken at a past seminar, but told Fox News Digital he was not affiliated with their organization. "To fulfill this mission, we collaborate with church organizations and individual volunteers. It is within this context that Mr. Vance Boelter has, on occasion, appeared in some of our meetings and ministry platforms, as seen in various media," the organization shared in a statement. "However, we want to clearly state that Mr. Boelter is neither a member of Global Impact Center's leadership team nor affiliated with any of our local or international church partners," the statement continued. "We want to clarify that Mr. Boelter has never resided in the Democratic Republic of Congo for any period of time equaling or exceeding two months." The organization added that they were "deeply saddened by the recent developments and the serious allegations involving Mr. Boelter." "These allegations run contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and undermine the integrity of the church's calling and mission," the statement read. "Our hearts are heavy, and we extend our prayers to all the victims and their families. We also lift up Mr. Boelter and his family in prayer during this deeply difficult time." The church also shared a statement, echoing the Global Impact Center, saying that the organization "regularly organizes conferences involving American missionaries," but that "not all individual members are personally known to the church." "It was within this collaborative context that Mr. Vance Luther Boelter was received solely as a participant in a missionary team working alongside Global Impact Center," the statement read. "We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that Mr. Vance Boelter has never resided in Matadi, nor has he ever served as a missionary pastor, or official representative of the Centre Évangélique Francophone La Borne Matadi, contrary to certain claims being circulated," Minnesota Africans United also released a statement confirming that they never hired Boelter to represent their organization. "In response to the inquiries we have received, we want to clarify that approximately three years ago, in August 2022, Mr. Vance Boelter participated in a virtual session webinar. His involvement was facilitated by a third-party," the statement read. "Mr. Boelter was never hired, paid, or contracted by Minnesota Africans United. He has never served in any official (or unofficial) capacity as a representative of our organization. We have had no contact with him since that one-time appearance," the statement continued. Boelter is also reportedly the CEO of Red Lion Group, based in the DRC, according to his LinkedIn page. The 57-year-old was captured in Sibley County, Minnesota, after a two-day manhunt. He is charged in the June 14 shooting deaths of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their Brooklyn Park home in Minneapolis. He also allegedly shot state Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, in their nearby Champlin home in a related attack. Authorities have said the suspect targeted lawmakers in a planned attack, showing up at their homes wearing a police-like uniform and a mask. "Boelter exploited the trust our uniforms are meant to represent," Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said during a news conference. "That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility. We want to thank community members across the state for their support, for their tips and their information." MAU added that they were "devastated" to learn the news of the "tragic incident." "We are devastated by the tragic and senseless act of violence that claimed the life of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband and left State Senator John Hoffman and his spouse critically injured," the statement read. "Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the families affected by this unimaginable loss. We are keeping Senator Hoffman and his wife in our prayers and wish them a full and swift recovery." Boelter was charged in Hennepin County with four felony counts of second-degree murder with intent (not premeditated). The complaint charges Boelter with two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Victims 1 and 2 — identified as Melissa and Mark Hortman — and two counts of attempted second-degree murder for the shootings of Victims 3 and 4 — identified as John and Yvette Hoffman. All charges are felonies, and each carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of three years due to the use of a firearm. Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to
Yahoo
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dem Assassin Is Armed Guard Boss With Anti-Abortion Hit-List
The man suspected of killing a top Minnesota state lawmaker has been identified as Vance Boelter, law enforcement sources told the Associated Press. The suspect, presumed to be Boelter, left behind a target list with more than 70 names, including top Minnesota Democrats like Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and abortion providers and advocates, according to CNN and ABC News. Boelter, 57, was appointed to Minnesota's Governor's Workforce Development Board by Walz in 2019, according to a document available online. The board advises the governor on Minnesota's workforce. Boelter is listed as director of security patrols for Praetorian Guard Security Services, a Minnesota company that offers 'residential security patrols' by guards who are 'armed' and 'uniformed,' according to its site. The site shows Boelter alongside the company's president and CEO on a leadership page. His biography on the site says that he 'has been involved with security situations in Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East, including the West Bank, Southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.' 'He brings a great security aspect forged by both many on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military,' it says. The bio promises that Boelter has the necessary experience to 'keep your family and property safe.' Based on public records, Boelter appears to have daughters named Faith, Hope, and Grace. Two of the daughters seem to be married, based on Minnesota wedding sites that match their names. And Instagram pages apparently belonging to two of the daughters feature bible quotes in their bios. Postings by family members suggest that some of Boelter's five children–four daughters and a son—were homeschooled. Boelter is suspected of killing Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, at their home in a Minneapolis suburb. The suspect also shot state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, at their home, but the couple is still alive. Both lawmakers were Democrats. The police have not announced any arrests. The target list, whose existence was confirmed by law enforcement earlier on Saturday, contained the names of many major Minnesota Democrats, including Walz, Omar, Sen. Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison, law enforcement sources told ABC. The item was recovered from the suspect's car after he fled a shootout with police, Brooklyn Park police chief Mark Bruley said during a press conference. Bruley said that the target list featured the names of 'many lawmakers and other officials,' including the two who were shot, but did not go into further specifics. The suspect was cornered by police at the Hortman home, which they checked after discovering that Hoffman was shot. He exchanged gunfire with police but was able to escape out the back of the house on foot. The man—described as white with brown hair—appeared to be impersonating a police officer. He was wearing a vest, taser, and badge, Bruley said. 'No question, if they were in this room, you would assume they were a police officer.' The suspect's car, which was in the Hortmans' driveway, was also made to look 'exactly like a SUV squad car,' including emergency lights, Bruley said. The car also contained fliers advertising the nationwide 'No Kings' protests against Donald Trump, which were scheduled to happen on Saturday, Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said at a news conference. 'We are asking the public not to attend today's planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution,' she said. A state official told The New York Times that there was 'reason to believe' that the suspect intended to target one of the anti-Trump rallies. The state patrol posted a photo, apparently of the fliers in the suspect's car, on social media, again urging the public not to attend the rallies. Organizers canceled the anti-Trump rallies across the state, according to the Associated Press. Local police are conducting a 'large-scale' manhunt with the help of the FBI. Multiple people have already been questioned, although no one is in custody. Bruley said, though, that 'persons of interest' have been identified. Walz, who also spoke at the press conference, called the shootings 'targeted political violence.' 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,' he said. 'Those responsible for this will be held accountable.' Hortman, 55, was the top Democrat in Minnesota's House and previously served as speaker. She was first elected in 2004. The wounded lawmaker, Hoffman, 60, has held his office since 2012. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Police ordered people living in the vicinity of the shootings—which took place in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota—to shelter in place. If a police officer approaches their house, locals have been instructed to call 911 to verify that the person is actually an officer. Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described Boelter as a Walz 'aide.' He was a non-political appointee of the governor.
Fox News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Israeli ambassador: Iran has proven it is a regime that cannot be trusted
All times eastern Making Money with Charles Payne FOX News Radio Live Channel Coverage Prosecutors unveil charges against Minnesota lawmaker shooting suspect Vance Boelter
Fox News
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Fox News
Minnesota shootings put focus on escalating political violence
All times eastern Making Money with Charles Payne FOX News Radio Live Channel Coverage Prosecutors unveil charges against Minnesota lawmaker shooting suspect Vance Boelter
