Authorities have identified a man wanted for shooting two Minnesota lawmakers inside their homes early Saturday morning while allegedly dressed like a police officer.
Vance Boelter, 57, was formally identified at a press conference as the suspect in the shooting deaths of State Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband, Mark, and the wounding of State Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette.
Boelter was last seen in Minneapolis, wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, a dark-colored long-sleeved collared shirt or jacket, light pants, and carrying a dark bag, authorities said at an afternoon press conference.
Minnesota State Emergency Operations Center
Various photos shared by law enforcement show the suspect wearing the cowboy hat, as well as wearing what appears to be a latex mask that makes him appear bald.
He’s described as 6 feet, 1 inch tall, weighing roughly 220 pounds and having brown hair and brown eyes.
“At this time, we ask the public if you do locate him, or see him, to call 911. Do not approach him. You should consider him armed and dangerous,” said Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.
He added that it’s not yet clear whether anyone else is involved.
Evans also said it’s not yet known whether the suspect and his alleged victims “actually knew one another,” though there was some “overlap” in public meetings attended by Boelter and Sen. Hoffman.
Boelter formerly served on the state workforce development board as Hoffman, according to The Associated Press.
There was no update on Sen. Hoffman’s condition as of Saturday afternoon.
Evans said it’s too early to comment on a motive behind the attacks based on the writings that were found inside the suspect’s vehicle.
He acknowledged reports of Boelter having an armed security company, though he declined to offer details, saying “we will be exploring that more fully.”
Minnesota State Patrol earlier said that flyers found inside his vehicle referenced the “No Kings” political rallies taking place across the country on Saturday against President Donald Trump.
A Minnesota-based security company, Praetorian Guard Security Services, lists Boelter on its website as the director of security patrol, using one of the same images circulated by authorities.
A profile listed on the company’s website describes Vance as having security experience in Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East. The business did not immediately respond to JS’s requests for comment.
A report from WIRED based on tax filings and public documents indicated that Boelter ran a security company and was affiliated with at least one evangelical organization.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information that leads to his arrest and conviction.
Anyone with information about these shootings or about his location is asked to call the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension tip line at 877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us.
