Latest news with #Unabomber-style
Hindustan Times
19-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
The attacks in Minnesota reflect a worrying trend
THE JUSTIFICATIONS vary, but the examples are legion. In December in Florida, local politicians faced threats over housing developments. Police shot a Montanan in March after she brandished a gun at a judge. A police chief in North Carolina retired in May after getting violent threats over the death of a police dog. Threats of political violence are becoming more common. The Capitol Police investigated more than 9,000 made against members of Congress last year. It is still vanishingly rare, though, that such threats are acted on. On June 14th Melissa Hortman, the speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and Mark Hortman, her husband, were murdered in their home outside Minneapolis. The gunman injured another state legislator and his wife, went to the homes of others and had a long list of possible targets, including Democratic members of Congress and Planned Parenthood clinics. The next day Vance Boelter, who is 57, was arrested and charged with murder. He has not yet entered a plea. Any motivations remain somewhat unclear: according to the complaint, Mr Boelter texted his family that he had gone 'to war'. But police have not found 'a Unabomber-style manifesto', Joe Thompson, the prosecutor, said at a press conference. 'His primary motive was to go out and murder people.' This sort of political violence is becoming as unsurprising as school shootings. In 2022 a man broke into the home of Nancy Pelosi, then the speaker of the federal House of Representatives, and attacked her husband with a hammer. The same year an armed man went to the home of Brett Kavanaugh, a Supreme Court justice, planning to murder him. Earlier this year Josh Shapiro, the governor of Pennsylvania, was the victim of arson. And, of course, last year Donald Trump was twice targeted by gunmen. State and local politicians are especially vulnerable. More than 40% of state legislators have been threatened or attacked in the past three years. Survey data suggest it is becoming more common. Statehouses, where legislatures sit, are the front line of the culture wars. Kelly Cassidy, a state representative in Illinois, has said she avoids leading gun-control bills because 'my kids were too little, the threats were too common and too on-point'. State lawmakers' addresses are often available online (the homes of the victims of the attacks in Minnesota were listed on official websites). Their offices are easily accessible, too. Unlike many corporate workplaces where interlopers may be blocked by turnstiles or security desks, 'Most of the district offices are like strip malls and so it's direct access to the public,' one Florida state representative, Anna Eskamani, told researchers. Whereas high-ranking members of Congress or cabinet members may have security details, local politicians rely on nearby police or pay for their own extra security. Many harassers remain anonymous. But researchers have managed to collect some data. Whereas most crimes are committed by young men, those who threaten public officials are noticeably more middle-aged, with roughly two-fifths over 38. Lilliana Mason, who researches political violence at Johns Hopkins University, reckons that older folk are 'sitting at home being fed misinformation all day'. Lessons can be gleaned from the bullies' targets, too. More Republican than Democratic state legislators say abuse has got worse. Experts theorise that much of this comes from their own voters. One moderate Republican state legislator told researchers at the Brennan Centre, a non-partisan law and policy institute, that anti-abortion activists made death threats against her children. Harassment 'doesn't need to be [physical] for it to have really significant impacts on political participation and civic engagement', says Roudabeh Kishi, who studies political violence at Princeton University. Almost half of local officials questioned in her team's surveys say they are less willing to work on controversial topics. Two-fifths were less willing to run for re-election. Persuading people to run in down-ballot races is already a challenge. Salaries and status are modest: state lawmakers earn just $51,750 a year in Minnesota. Some changes are being made in the aftermath of the attacks there. North Dakota has removed legislators' home addresses from their biography pages. The Wisconsin and New Hampshire statehouses are increasing security. Some improvements can be simple, like training Facebook-loving local politicians to avoid inadvertently revealing too much personal information. But bigger changes will require a cultural shift. Being a state legislator is 'supposed to be a somewhat boring job, we didn't need to ask them to be heroes', sighs Ms Mason, the researcher. 'Increasingly they feel like they have to be.' Get 360° coverage—from daily headlines to 100 year archives.
17-06-2025
- Politics
With Minnesota assassin suspect in custody, questions about his plot remain unanswered
As investigators probe the extent of alleged political assassin Vance Boelter's plot targeting Minnesota lawmakers, authorities have yet to publicly answer several major questions about the suspect's weekend rampage. The 57-year-old Boelter, a married father who friends said was trying to start a security business, is accused of killing Rep. Melissa Hortman, D-Minn., and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday, after he allegedly shot Sen. John Hoffman, D-Minn., and his wife, Yvette, at their residence. Boelter was disguised as a police officer when he allegedly committed the shootings and was driving an unmarked black SUV that was fitted with emergency lights to make it appear to be a law enforcement vehicle, officials said. Police said the suspect also went to the homes of two other Minnesota lawmakers before dawn on Saturday, but one was not home and he was apparently scared off by law enforcement who showed up at the home of the second politician while he was at the scene. What was the motive? "As for why, it remains unclear," Minnesota U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said at a news conference on Monday when asked about a possible motive. Police officers were sent to Hortman's home to conduct a welfare check after hearing of the shooting at Sen. Hoffman's home, officials said. The officers arrived at Hortman's home about 3:30 a.m. on Saturday and spotted the suspect just feet from the front door and his vehicle parked in the driveway. Thompson said that as the officers approached the home, Boelter, who was dressed as a police officer and wearing a hyper-realistic mask, opened fire. Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said it remains under investigation whether Boelter fired at the officers or was shooting into the door of Hortman's home. When officers opened fire, the suspect entered the home, fatally shooting Hortman and her husband, Mark, Thompson said. After allegedly gunning down Rep. Hortman and her husband, Boelter fled out the back door of the house, Thompson said. Police found the suspect's 9mm Beretta, body armor and mask ditched behind Hortman's home. In Boelter's vehicle left in the driveway with its emergency lights flashing, police discovered five more firearms, including assault-style rifles and a large quantity of ammunition, Thompson said. Also in the car was a notebook containing the names and addresses of more than 45 Minnesota state and federal elected officials, including information on Hortman. Information on elected leaders from other states and abortion-rights supporters was also found in the notebook, as well as detailed notes from surveillance excursions the suspect allegedly conducted on potential targets, Thompson said. "I've seen nothing like a Unabomber-style manifesto in his writing," said Thompson, referring to Theodore Kaczynski, who was arrested in 1996 and laid out his nearly 20-year bombing campaign in 40,000 pages of documents that expressed his hatred of modern technology and industrial society. While Boelter allegedly filled many notebooks with plans and notes on the surveillance he conducted on potential targets, Thompson said, "I have not seen anything involving some sort of screed or manifesto that would clearly identify what motivated him." "Obviously, his primary motive was to go out and murder people," Thompson said. "Now they were all elected officials. They were all Democrats. Beyond that, I think it's just way too speculative for anyone that's reviewed these materials to know and to say what was motivating him in terms of ideology or specific issues." How long was the plot planned? It appears that Boelter had allegedly planned his attacks over an extensive period of time, Thompson said. But how much time went into planning the attacks remains unknown. "The writings appear to have been done at various times over the course of at least months, I would say. But beyond that, it's speculative," Thompson said. Why hasn't a terrorism charge been filed against Boelter? A federal complaint filed on Monday against Boelter charged him with stalking and murdering Rep. Hortman and her husband and stalking and shooting Sen. Hoffman and his wife. A state complaint filed against Boelter charged him with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. But prosecutors have not charged Boelter with terrorism, which is defined under federal law as an offense "that is calculated to influence or affect the conduct of government by intimidation or coercion, or to retaliate against government conduct." "We brought the charges that we think are appropriate right now," Thompson said. Thompson added that terrorism charges against Boelter have not been ruled out. "I can't comment as to what other charges may or may not be brought," Thompson said. He added that if Boelter is convicted of the current federal charges filed against him, he could be sentenced to death. But Thompson said a decision has not yet been made to pursue the death penalty. Did the suspect have help? Investigators are continuing to probe whether anyone helped Boelter allegedly plan and carry out Saturday's shootings, and if anyone assisted him in hiding from authorities during the manhunt. "At this time, there's nothing in the complaint suggesting someone did, but the investigation is ongoing. In fact, it's just in it's infancy," Thompson said. Where did Boelter allegedly get his guns? In the suspect's vehicle abandoned at Rep. Hortman's home, police found at five weapons, including three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm handgun and a disassembled 9mm firearm in addition to the 9mm Baretta found behind Hortman's home, according to a criminal complaint filed in the state case against Boelter. "Defendant is the listed purchaser for at least four of the recovered firearms," according to the complaint, which does not identify where or when the guns were purchased. It remains unclear how Boelter got the other two guns police recovered in the investigation.
AsiaOne
17-06-2025
- Politics
- AsiaOne
Suspect in Minnesota lawmaker killing visited other legislators' homes, prosecutors say, World News
MINNEAPOLIS, Minnesota — The suspect accused of assassinating a Minnesota lawmaker and shooting another this weekend drove to the homes of at least four state politicians as part of a planned killing spree, US authorities said on Monday (June 16). Vance Boelter, 57, faces state and federal murder charges after his arrest on Sunday night following a massive two-day manhunt that was the largest in state history. He is accused of fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, and her husband Mark, in their home on Saturday. Boelter is also charged with shooting and wounding Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette, in their home a few miles away. Prosecutors said on Monday that Boelter visited the homes of two other lawmakers disguised as a police officer, hunting more targets. Investigators said they recovered notebooks from his car and residence that included the names of dozens of Democratic legislators, along with abortion rights advocates. They also revealed that he sent a text to his family hours after the shooting that said in part, "Dad went to war last night." "Political assassinations are rare," Joseph Thompson, Minnesota's acting US attorney, said at a news conference. "They strike at the very core of our democracy." Thompson said a precise motive was not yet clear. Contrary to earlier news reports, authorities have not discovered a "Unabomber-style manifesto," he said. The killings unfolded against a backdrop of increasing political violence in the US in an era of extreme social and political polarisation. President Donald Trump was the target of two assassination attempts during his campaign last year, including at a Pennsylvania rally that left him with a wounded ear and killed one bystander. In April, a man broke into the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and set it on fire while Shapiro and his family were asleep. Boelter made a brief appearance in St Paul federal court on Monday to face murder and other charges, which could result in the death penalty. Wearing an orange jumpsuit, he told a judge he understood the charges against him and remained composed throughout the 15-minute hearing. He did not enter a plea and will return to court on June 27. Boelter's court-appointed attorney, Matthew Deates, declined to comment after the hearing. Boelter also faces separate state murder charges in Hennepin County. 'Campaign of violence' Political tensions were already high on Saturday. Mass protests against Trump's agenda took place across the country, fuelled in part by the deployment of US Marines and National Guard troops over immigration protests in Los Angeles and a military parade in Washington on the president's birthday. "Vance Luther Boelter embarked on a planned campaign of stalking and violence, designed to inflict fear, injure and kill members of the Minnesota state legislature and their families," an FBI affidavit unsealed on Monday read. The attacks began around 2am local time on Saturday, when a gunman wearing a police-style tactical vest and a "hyper-realistic silicone mask" knocked on the Hoffmans' door in Champlin, announced himself as a police officer and then shot the couple multiple times, according to prosecutors. He was driving an SUV outfitted with police-style lights and a fake licence plate that read "POLICE." Boelter then travelled to the home of another state lawmaker in Maple Grove, where he rang the doorbell at 2.24am, Thompson said. The official, whom prosecutors did not name, was not home. Boelter also visited the home of an unnamed state senator in New Hope, prosecutors said. A officer dispatched to the house to check on the senator after the Hoffman shooting saw Boelter parked outside and believed he was another police officer. When Boelter ignored the officer's greeting, the officer went to the door to wait for additional police, Thompson said. Boelter had left by the time they arrived. Shortly after, police went to the Hortmans' house in Brooklyn Park as a precaution. The arriving officers saw the suspect shoot Mark Hortman through an open door around 3.35am and exchanged fire with him before he fled out the back, according to prosecutors. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside. When police searched Boelter's SUV, they discovered three assault-style rifles, a handgun, a gold police-style badge and a target list, according to authorities. Boelter's notebooks showed he had planned the attacks for some time. He had the names and, in some cases, home addresses for more than 45 elected officials, "mostly or all Democrats," according to the affidavit. In one book, Boelter noted the Hortmans had two children and added surveillance details about their house, writing, "Big house off golf course two ways in to watch from one spot," the affidavit said. Massive manhunt Boelter's wife and other family members received a text message at 6.18am that read, "Dad went to war last night... I don't wanna say more because I don't wanna implicate anybody," according to the affidavit. A second text warned them to leave the house because some "armed and trigger-happy" people were coming. Boelter's wife also consented to a search of her car, which turned up two handguns, about US$10,000 (S$12,820) cash and passports for family members, who were in the car when police came to the house, the affidavit said. Authorities said the investigation would determine if Boelter's wife had any role in, or was aware of, the suspect's plan beforehand. He has five children, according to media reports. Around 7am on Saturday, Boelter encountered someone at a bus stop in Minneapolis and eventually offered to buy his Buick, according to prosecutors. Investigators on Sunday found the Buick in rural Sibley County about an hour's drive from Minneapolis, near Boelter's listed home address. Inside the car, officers found a handwritten letter to the FBI, in which Boelter gave his name and admitted to the shootings, according to the affidavit. More than 20 SWAT teams combed the area, aided by surveillance aircraft. Boelter, who was armed, crawled from a wooded area and surrendered to police in a field. Minnesota US Senator Amy Klobuchar shared on social media a text from Yvette Hoffman on Sunday that said her husband had been shot nine times, while she was shot eight times. "We are both incredibly lucky to be alive," Yvette Hoffman wrote. "We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark." [[nid:719090]]
The Advertiser
17-06-2025
- Politics
- The Advertiser
Suspect in killing of US Democrats 'visited others'
A suspect accused of assassinating a Minnesota politician and shooting another drove to the homes of at least four state politicians as part of a planned killing spree, US authorities say. Vance Boelter, 57, faces state and federal murder charges after his arrest on Sunday night following a massive two-day manhunt that was the largest in state history. He is accused of fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, and her husband Mark, in their home on Saturday. Boelter is also charged with shooting and wounding Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in their home a few kilometres away. Prosecutors said on Monday that Boelter visited the homes of two other politicians disguised as a police officer, hunting more targets. Investigators said they recovered notebooks from his car and residence that included the names of dozens of Democratic legislators, along with abortion rights advocates. They also revealed that he sent a text to his family hours after the shooting that said in part, "Dad went to war last night". "Political assassinations are rare," Joseph Thompson, Minnesota's acting US attorney, said at a news conference. "They strike at the very core of our democracy." Thompson said a precise motive was not yet clear. Contrary to earlier news reports, authorities have not discovered a "Unabomber-style manifesto," he said. Boelter made a brief appearance in St Paul federal court on Monday to face murder and other charges, which could result in the death penalty. Wearing an orange jumpsuit, he told a judge he understood the charges against him and remained composed throughout the 15-minute hearing. He did not enter a plea and will return to court on June 27. Boelter's court-appointed lawyer Matthew Deates declined to comment after the hearing. Boelter also faces separate state murder charges in Hennepin County. "Vance Luther Boelter embarked on a planned campaign of stalking and violence, designed to inflict fear, injure and kill members of the Minnesota state legislature and their families," an FBI affidavit unsealed on Monday read. The attacks began about 2am on Saturday when a gunman wearing a police-style tactical vest and a "hyper-realistic silicone mask" knocked on the Hoffmans' door in Champlin, announced himself as a police officer and then shot the couple multiple times, according to prosecutors. He was driving an SUV outfitted with police-style lights and a fake licence plate that read "POLICE". Boelter then travelled to the home of another state lawmaker in Maple Grove, where he rang the doorbell at 2.24am, Thompson said. The official, whom prosecutors did not name, was not home. Boelter also visited the home of an unnamed state senator in New Hope, prosecutors said. An officer dispatched to the house to check on the senator after the Hoffman shooting saw Boelter parked outside and believed he was another police officer. When Boelter ignored the officer's greeting, the officer went to the door to wait for additional police, Thompson said. Boelter had left by the time they arrived. Shortly after, police went to the Hortmans' house in Brooklyn Park as a precaution. The arriving officers saw the suspect shoot Mark Hortman through an open door about 3.35am and exchanged fire with him before he fled out the back, according to prosecutors. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside. When police searched Boelter's SUV, they discovered three assault-style rifles, a handgun, a gold police-style badge and a target list, according to authorities. Boelter's notebooks showed he had planned the attacks for some time. He had the names and, in some cases, home addresses for more than 45 elected officials, "mostly or all Democrats," according to the affidavit. In one book, Boelter noted the Hortmans had two children and added surveillance details about their house, writing, "Big house off golf course 2 ways in to watch from one spot," the affidavit said. A suspect accused of assassinating a Minnesota politician and shooting another drove to the homes of at least four state politicians as part of a planned killing spree, US authorities say. Vance Boelter, 57, faces state and federal murder charges after his arrest on Sunday night following a massive two-day manhunt that was the largest in state history. He is accused of fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, and her husband Mark, in their home on Saturday. Boelter is also charged with shooting and wounding Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in their home a few kilometres away. Prosecutors said on Monday that Boelter visited the homes of two other politicians disguised as a police officer, hunting more targets. Investigators said they recovered notebooks from his car and residence that included the names of dozens of Democratic legislators, along with abortion rights advocates. They also revealed that he sent a text to his family hours after the shooting that said in part, "Dad went to war last night". "Political assassinations are rare," Joseph Thompson, Minnesota's acting US attorney, said at a news conference. "They strike at the very core of our democracy." Thompson said a precise motive was not yet clear. Contrary to earlier news reports, authorities have not discovered a "Unabomber-style manifesto," he said. Boelter made a brief appearance in St Paul federal court on Monday to face murder and other charges, which could result in the death penalty. Wearing an orange jumpsuit, he told a judge he understood the charges against him and remained composed throughout the 15-minute hearing. He did not enter a plea and will return to court on June 27. Boelter's court-appointed lawyer Matthew Deates declined to comment after the hearing. Boelter also faces separate state murder charges in Hennepin County. "Vance Luther Boelter embarked on a planned campaign of stalking and violence, designed to inflict fear, injure and kill members of the Minnesota state legislature and their families," an FBI affidavit unsealed on Monday read. The attacks began about 2am on Saturday when a gunman wearing a police-style tactical vest and a "hyper-realistic silicone mask" knocked on the Hoffmans' door in Champlin, announced himself as a police officer and then shot the couple multiple times, according to prosecutors. He was driving an SUV outfitted with police-style lights and a fake licence plate that read "POLICE". Boelter then travelled to the home of another state lawmaker in Maple Grove, where he rang the doorbell at 2.24am, Thompson said. The official, whom prosecutors did not name, was not home. Boelter also visited the home of an unnamed state senator in New Hope, prosecutors said. An officer dispatched to the house to check on the senator after the Hoffman shooting saw Boelter parked outside and believed he was another police officer. When Boelter ignored the officer's greeting, the officer went to the door to wait for additional police, Thompson said. Boelter had left by the time they arrived. Shortly after, police went to the Hortmans' house in Brooklyn Park as a precaution. The arriving officers saw the suspect shoot Mark Hortman through an open door about 3.35am and exchanged fire with him before he fled out the back, according to prosecutors. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside. When police searched Boelter's SUV, they discovered three assault-style rifles, a handgun, a gold police-style badge and a target list, according to authorities. Boelter's notebooks showed he had planned the attacks for some time. He had the names and, in some cases, home addresses for more than 45 elected officials, "mostly or all Democrats," according to the affidavit. In one book, Boelter noted the Hortmans had two children and added surveillance details about their house, writing, "Big house off golf course 2 ways in to watch from one spot," the affidavit said. A suspect accused of assassinating a Minnesota politician and shooting another drove to the homes of at least four state politicians as part of a planned killing spree, US authorities say. Vance Boelter, 57, faces state and federal murder charges after his arrest on Sunday night following a massive two-day manhunt that was the largest in state history. He is accused of fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, and her husband Mark, in their home on Saturday. Boelter is also charged with shooting and wounding Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in their home a few kilometres away. Prosecutors said on Monday that Boelter visited the homes of two other politicians disguised as a police officer, hunting more targets. Investigators said they recovered notebooks from his car and residence that included the names of dozens of Democratic legislators, along with abortion rights advocates. They also revealed that he sent a text to his family hours after the shooting that said in part, "Dad went to war last night". "Political assassinations are rare," Joseph Thompson, Minnesota's acting US attorney, said at a news conference. "They strike at the very core of our democracy." Thompson said a precise motive was not yet clear. Contrary to earlier news reports, authorities have not discovered a "Unabomber-style manifesto," he said. Boelter made a brief appearance in St Paul federal court on Monday to face murder and other charges, which could result in the death penalty. Wearing an orange jumpsuit, he told a judge he understood the charges against him and remained composed throughout the 15-minute hearing. He did not enter a plea and will return to court on June 27. Boelter's court-appointed lawyer Matthew Deates declined to comment after the hearing. Boelter also faces separate state murder charges in Hennepin County. "Vance Luther Boelter embarked on a planned campaign of stalking and violence, designed to inflict fear, injure and kill members of the Minnesota state legislature and their families," an FBI affidavit unsealed on Monday read. The attacks began about 2am on Saturday when a gunman wearing a police-style tactical vest and a "hyper-realistic silicone mask" knocked on the Hoffmans' door in Champlin, announced himself as a police officer and then shot the couple multiple times, according to prosecutors. He was driving an SUV outfitted with police-style lights and a fake licence plate that read "POLICE". Boelter then travelled to the home of another state lawmaker in Maple Grove, where he rang the doorbell at 2.24am, Thompson said. The official, whom prosecutors did not name, was not home. Boelter also visited the home of an unnamed state senator in New Hope, prosecutors said. An officer dispatched to the house to check on the senator after the Hoffman shooting saw Boelter parked outside and believed he was another police officer. When Boelter ignored the officer's greeting, the officer went to the door to wait for additional police, Thompson said. Boelter had left by the time they arrived. Shortly after, police went to the Hortmans' house in Brooklyn Park as a precaution. The arriving officers saw the suspect shoot Mark Hortman through an open door about 3.35am and exchanged fire with him before he fled out the back, according to prosecutors. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside. When police searched Boelter's SUV, they discovered three assault-style rifles, a handgun, a gold police-style badge and a target list, according to authorities. Boelter's notebooks showed he had planned the attacks for some time. He had the names and, in some cases, home addresses for more than 45 elected officials, "mostly or all Democrats," according to the affidavit. In one book, Boelter noted the Hortmans had two children and added surveillance details about their house, writing, "Big house off golf course 2 ways in to watch from one spot," the affidavit said. A suspect accused of assassinating a Minnesota politician and shooting another drove to the homes of at least four state politicians as part of a planned killing spree, US authorities say. Vance Boelter, 57, faces state and federal murder charges after his arrest on Sunday night following a massive two-day manhunt that was the largest in state history. He is accused of fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, and her husband Mark, in their home on Saturday. Boelter is also charged with shooting and wounding Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in their home a few kilometres away. Prosecutors said on Monday that Boelter visited the homes of two other politicians disguised as a police officer, hunting more targets. Investigators said they recovered notebooks from his car and residence that included the names of dozens of Democratic legislators, along with abortion rights advocates. They also revealed that he sent a text to his family hours after the shooting that said in part, "Dad went to war last night". "Political assassinations are rare," Joseph Thompson, Minnesota's acting US attorney, said at a news conference. "They strike at the very core of our democracy." Thompson said a precise motive was not yet clear. Contrary to earlier news reports, authorities have not discovered a "Unabomber-style manifesto," he said. Boelter made a brief appearance in St Paul federal court on Monday to face murder and other charges, which could result in the death penalty. Wearing an orange jumpsuit, he told a judge he understood the charges against him and remained composed throughout the 15-minute hearing. He did not enter a plea and will return to court on June 27. Boelter's court-appointed lawyer Matthew Deates declined to comment after the hearing. Boelter also faces separate state murder charges in Hennepin County. "Vance Luther Boelter embarked on a planned campaign of stalking and violence, designed to inflict fear, injure and kill members of the Minnesota state legislature and their families," an FBI affidavit unsealed on Monday read. The attacks began about 2am on Saturday when a gunman wearing a police-style tactical vest and a "hyper-realistic silicone mask" knocked on the Hoffmans' door in Champlin, announced himself as a police officer and then shot the couple multiple times, according to prosecutors. He was driving an SUV outfitted with police-style lights and a fake licence plate that read "POLICE". Boelter then travelled to the home of another state lawmaker in Maple Grove, where he rang the doorbell at 2.24am, Thompson said. The official, whom prosecutors did not name, was not home. Boelter also visited the home of an unnamed state senator in New Hope, prosecutors said. An officer dispatched to the house to check on the senator after the Hoffman shooting saw Boelter parked outside and believed he was another police officer. When Boelter ignored the officer's greeting, the officer went to the door to wait for additional police, Thompson said. Boelter had left by the time they arrived. Shortly after, police went to the Hortmans' house in Brooklyn Park as a precaution. The arriving officers saw the suspect shoot Mark Hortman through an open door about 3.35am and exchanged fire with him before he fled out the back, according to prosecutors. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside. When police searched Boelter's SUV, they discovered three assault-style rifles, a handgun, a gold police-style badge and a target list, according to authorities. Boelter's notebooks showed he had planned the attacks for some time. He had the names and, in some cases, home addresses for more than 45 elected officials, "mostly or all Democrats," according to the affidavit. In one book, Boelter noted the Hortmans had two children and added surveillance details about their house, writing, "Big house off golf course 2 ways in to watch from one spot," the affidavit said.
Japan Today
16-06-2025
- Politics
- Japan Today
Suspect in Minnesota lawmaker killing visited other legislators' homes, prosecutors say
Flowers and hand-written messages sit at a memorial outside the Minnesota State Capitol in honor of Democratic state assemblywoman Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, after a gunman killed them, in St. Paul, Minnesota, U.S., June 15, 2025. REUTERS/Tim Evans By Nathan Layne The suspect accused of assassinating a Minnesota lawmaker and shooting another this weekend drove to the homes of at least four state politicians as part of a planned killing spree, U.S. authorities said on Monday. Vance Boelter, 57, faces state and federal murder charges after his arrest on Sunday night following a massive two-day manhunt that was the largest in state history. He is accused of fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House, and her husband Mark, in their home on Saturday. Boelter is also charged with shooting and wounding Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette, in their home a few miles away. Prosecutors said on Monday that Boelter visited the homes of two other lawmakers disguised as a police officer, hunting more targets. Investigators said they recovered notebooks from his car and residence that included the names of dozens of Democratic legislators, along with abortion rights advocates. They also revealed that he sent a text to his family hours after the shooting that said in part, "Dad went to war last night." "Political assassinations are rare," Joseph Thompson, Minnesota's acting U.S. attorney, said at a news conference. "They strike at the very core of our democracy." Thompson said a precise motive was not yet clear. Contrary to earlier news reports, authorities have not discovered a "Unabomber-style manifesto," he said. The killings unfolded against a backdrop of increasing political violence in the U.S. in an era of extreme social and political polarization. President Donald Trump was the target of two assassination attempts during his campaign last year, including at a Pennsylvania rally that left him with a wounded ear and killed one bystander. In April, a man broke into the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro and set it on fire while Shapiro and his family were asleep. Boelter made a brief appearance in St. Paul federal court on Monday to face murder and other charges, which could result in the death penalty. Wearing an orange jumpsuit, he told a judge he understood the charges against him and remained composed throughout the 15-minute hearing. He did not enter a plea and will return to court on June 27. Boelter's court-appointed attorney, Matthew Deates, declined to comment after the hearing. Boelter also faces separate state murder charges in Hennepin County. 'CAMPAIGN OF VIOLENCE' Political tensions were already high on Saturday. Mass protests against Trump's agenda took place across the country, fueled in part by the deployment of U.S. Marines and National Guard troops over immigration protests in Los Angeles and a military parade in Washington on the president's birthday. "Vance Luther Boelter embarked on a planned campaign of stalking and violence, designed to inflict fear, injure and kill members of the Minnesota state legislature and their families," an FBI affidavit unsealed on Monday read. The attacks began around 2 a.m. on Saturday, when a gunman wearing a police-style tactical vest and a "hyper-realistic silicone mask" knocked on the Hoffmans' door in Champlin, announced himself as a police officer and then shot the couple multiple times, according to prosecutors. He was driving an SUV outfitted with police-style lights and a fake license plate that read "POLICE." Boelter then traveled to the home of another state lawmaker in Maple Grove, where he rang the doorbell at 2:24 a.m., Thompson said. The official, whom prosecutors did not name, was not home. Boelter also visited the home of an unnamed state senator in New Hope, prosecutors said. A officer dispatched to the house to check on the senator after the Hoffman shooting saw Boelter parked outside and believed he was another police officer. When Boelter ignored the officer's greeting, the officer went to the door to wait for additional police, Thompson said. Boelter had left by the time they arrived. Shortly after, police went to the Hortmans' house in Brooklyn Park as a precaution. The arriving officers saw the suspect shoot Mark Hortman through an open door around 3:35 a.m. and exchanged fire with him before he fled out the back, according to prosecutors. Melissa Hortman was found dead inside. When police searched Boelter's SUV, they discovered three assault-style rifles, a handgun, a gold police-style badge and a target list, according to authorities. Boelter's notebooks showed he had planned the attacks for some time. He had the names and, in some cases, home addresses for more than 45 elected officials, "mostly or all Democrats," according to the affidavit. In one book, Boelter noted the Hortmans had two children and added surveillance details about their house, writing, "Big house off golf course 2 ways in to watch from one spot," the affidavit said. MASSIVE MANHUNT Boelter's wife and other family members received a text message at 6:18 a.m. that read, "Dad went to war last night... I don't wanna say more because I don't wanna implicate anybody," according to the affidavit. A second text warned them to leave the house because some "armed and trigger-happy" people were coming. Boelter's wife also consented to a search of her car, which turned up two handguns, about $10,000 cash and passports for family members, who were in the car when police came to the house, the affidavit said. Authorities said the investigation would determine if Boelter's wife had any role in, or was aware of, the suspect's plan beforehand. He has five children, according to media reports. Around 7 a.m. on Saturday, Boelter encountered someone at a bus stop in Minneapolis and eventually offered to buy his Buick, according to prosecutors. Investigators on Sunday found the Buick in rural Sibley County about an hour's drive from Minneapolis, near Boelter's listed home address. Inside the car, officers found a handwritten letter to the FBI, in which Boelter gave his name and admitted to the shootings, according to the affidavit. More than 20 SWAT teams combed the area, aided by surveillance aircraft. Boelter, who was armed, crawled from a wooded area and surrendered to police in a field. Minnesota U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar shared on social media a text from Yvette Hoffman on Sunday that said her husband had been shot nine times, while she was shot eight times. "We are both incredibly lucky to be alive," Yvette Hoffman wrote. "We are gutted and devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark." © Thomson Reuters 2025.
