Vance Luther Boelter, Linked to "No Kings" Flyers, Allegedly Killed Two Democrats Who Voted Against Free Healthcare for Immigrants

In a shocking outbreak of political violence, Minnesota authorities are searching for 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, identified as the suspect in the targeted shootings of two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses. The attacks, which occurred early Saturday morning, left former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, dead in their Brooklyn Park home, while State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were critically injured in Champlin. Governor Tim Walz described the incidents as a “politically motivated assassination,” prompting a statewide manhunt for Boelter, who remains at large and is considered armed and dangerous.

Boelter, a former appointee of Governor Walz, was named to the Governor’s Workforce Development Board in 2019, a position he held until 2023. He was also appointed to the same council in 2016 by then-Governor Mark Dayton. According to his professional background, Boelter holds a PhD in education and serves as the director of security patrols at Praetorian Guard Security Services, a Minnesota-based private security firm. The company’s website notes that its vehicles resemble those used by U.S. police departments, aligning with reports that Boelter impersonated a police officer during the attacks, wearing body armor, a badge, and using a vehicle equipped with emergency lights and sirens.

Investigators discovered chilling evidence in Boelter’s vehicle, including a manifesto listing multiple lawmakers and officials, a Father’s Day card addressed to him, and flyers bearing the phrase “No Kings.” These flyers referenced anti-Trump rallies planned across Minnesota to coincide with Donald Trump’s birthday parade, leading authorities to cancel the demonstrations out of caution. While the “No Kings” movement has been associated with opposition to the Trump administration, it remains unclear whether Boelter intended to target the rallies or was motivated by their ideology. The manifesto also reportedly included names of abortion providers and pro-abortion rights advocates, suggesting a broader scope of potential targets.

The shootings have drawn attention to recent legislative actions by the victims. Both Hortman and Hoffman, members of the Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL), faced criticism from progressive activists for voting alongside Republicans in 2024 to block a bill that would have provided free healthcare to undocumented immigrants. This bipartisan move, part of a contentious session marked by a deadlocked House, was seen by some as a betrayal of Democratic values. Political analysts speculate that this vote may have contributed to the targeting of the lawmakers, though authorities have not officially confirmed a motive.

Hortman, a lawyer and legislator since 2004, served as House Speaker from 2019 to 2025 and was a key figure in passing progressive legislation, including abortion rights expansions and recreational marijuana legalization. She is survived by her two children. Hoffman, a senator since 2013, chairs the Senate Human Services Committee and has focused on disability rights. Both he and his wife are recovering after surgery, with officials cautiously optimistic about their survival.

The discovery of the “No Kings” flyers has intensified scrutiny of political rhetoric in Minnesota, with Governor Walz urging residents to avoid political rallies until Boelter is apprehended. “Out of an abundance of caution, my Department of Public Safety is recommending that people do not attend any political rallies today in Minnesota,” Walz posted on X. The Minnesota State Patrol echoed this call, citing the flyers found in Boelter’s vehicle as a precautionary concern, though no evidence suggests the rallies themselves were targeted.

Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley revealed that officers engaged Boelter in a gunfight outside Hortman’s residence after a welfare check, but the suspect escaped. A shelter-in-place order was issued for a three-mile radius around the crime scene, and residents were advised to verify the identity of any officer at their door, as Boelter may continue to pose as law enforcement. The FBI and local agencies are assisting in the investigation, with enhanced security provided to officials named in the manifesto.

The shootings have sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s political community, with lawmakers from both parties condemning the violence. Republican House Speaker Lisa Demuth, who succeeded Hortman, expressed heartbreak, calling the attack “evil” and urging prayers for the victims and law enforcement. As the manhunt continues, questions linger about Boelter’s motives, his access to police-like equipment, and the vetting processes for state appointees.

This is a developing story, and further details will be provided as they become available.