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A former appointee of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz is at the center of a statewide manhunt after a deadly weekend shooting that left one former state lawmaker dead and others seriously injured.
Authorities are actively searching for 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, who once served on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. He is suspected in two separate shootings that occurred early Saturday morning in Champlin, Minnesota.
According to law enforcement, Boelter allegedly impersonated a police officer to gain access to the home of State Senator John Hoffman. Once inside, he reportedly shot both Hoffman and his wife. While both victims survived the attack, they remain hospitalized in serious condition.
Shortly after, investigators say Boelter traveled to the residence of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. There, he is accused of fatally shooting both Hortman and her husband.
The suspect’s connection to Governor Walz—through a 2019 appointment to the state’s workforce board—is drawing renewed attention as the motive behind the violence remains under investigation. Official records also show Boelter previously served under Governor Mark Dayton in a similar capacity in 2016.
Investigators recovered several documents from Boelter’s vehicle, including printed materials referencing “No Kings,” a phrase reportedly tied to recent anti-establishment protests. Authorities also found a handwritten manifesto and a list of public officials, suggesting the attack may have been premeditated and politically motivated.
At a press conference, Governor Walz condemned the violence and called the shootings a “politically motivated assassination,” a statement that has amplified national scrutiny of the case.
Boelter briefly encountered police at the second crime scene but fled before he could be detained. His current whereabouts are unknown. A multi-agency manhunt is underway, with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) leading the investigation alongside local and federal partners.
Officials have not disclosed how the suspect accessed the homes or whether he used a fake law enforcement uniform or credentials. The weapon used has also not been publicly identified.
The manifesto reportedly contains additional threats directed at other political figures, although authorities have not released the full document. As law enforcement continues to investigate, questions persist about Boelter’s past activities and whether he remained active in political or protest movements after his government service ended.
Authorities are urging the public to remain alert and report any tips to the Champlin Police Department or the Minnesota BCA. A press briefing is expected as more information becomes available.
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