Following the recent shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers, David Carlson was asked by authorities to identify his lifelong friend in a chilling photograph.
Carlson, who had known and trusted Vance Boelter since childhood, struggled to recognize the 57-year-old in a surveillance image wearing a flesh-colored mask during what authorities described as a political rampage.
Expressing shock, Carlson stated, “The guy with the mask, I don’t know that guy.” He described Boelter as a close friend, almost like a brother, and was taken aback by his involvement in such a violent act.
As investigators delve into Boelter’s movements and motives, those who knew him are reflecting on their interactions with the former pastor, questioning if they missed any warning signs.
Boelter, who is charged with federal murder and stalking, as well as state counts, was accused of fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and injuring Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
Carlson revealed that Boelter had been struggling to find work and was disappointed with the lack of responses to his job applications at the time of the shootings.
Boelter’s abrupt decision to quit his job and return to the Democratic Republic of the Congo, where he had business interests, raised concerns among those close to him. Carlson described Boelter as someone who always took things to the extreme.
Despite his Christian beliefs, Boelter’s opposition to abortion and Democrats was evident in his actions and words. However, his friends did not perceive his rhetoric as threatening.
Although Boelter had access to firearms and occasionally visited a shooting range, his friends did not view him as fanatical about guns. Carlson expressed disbelief at the turn of events, stating, “It was 1,000 miles away from stalking people and killing them.”
On the day of the shootings, Carlson received a troubling text message from Boelter, leading him to believe his friend might be suicidal. Concerned, Carlson contacted the authorities, eventually linking Boelter to the violent incidents.
Reflecting on the situation, Carlson lamented, “Why throw your whole life away? God, he’s so stupid. He had everything.”
Associated Press writers Giovanna Dell’Orto in Minneapolis and Michael Biesecker in Washington contributed to this report.
