A man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband in a bold attack while disguised as a police officer is identified as a doomsday “prepper” who stored passports, firearms, and large amounts of cash in case of a catastrophe, as revealed in recently unsealed federal court documents. The wife of Vance Boelter shared details of their doomsday preparations with law enforcement after he allegedly shot four people on June 14, as outlined in a complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota.
During an interview, Boelter’s wife disclosed that he had sent a group text message to her and their children, urging them to brace for conflict, leave their home, and be cautious of armed individuals potentially arriving at their residence, according to FBI Special Agent Terry Getsch. Law enforcement intercepted Boelter’s wife and children while they were en route to visit friends outside the metro area, finding a safe, passports for all family members, around $10,000 in cash, a revolver pistol, and a semi-automatic gun in their vehicle, the FBI stated in the complaint.
Boelter, 57, is charged with the murder of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the severe injury of State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Investigators discovered that Boelter had extensively planned and researched the attack, compiling a list of mostly Democratic state lawmakers, modifying his SUV to resemble a police car, and purchasing a mask and an arsenal of weapons. Boelter was later apprehended after a large manhunt, and he now faces multiple charges including murder and stalking.
Additional information on Boelter includes claims of working in the food service industry, managing security-related businesses overseas, and being associated with Red Lion, a security company and fishing enterprise in Congo, Africa. Boelter has also been described as the CEO of Red Lion on LinkedIn, although the website linked to his profile was unavailable at the time of reporting. Governor Tim Walz referred to Hortman’s killing as a “politically motivated assassination.”
The investigation into Boelter’s background continues as authorities seek to uncover more details about his motives and actions leading up to the tragic incident.
A Minnesota nonprofit organization that serves African immigrant communities, Minnesota Africans United based in Brooklyn Park, issued a statement regarding Boelter’s involvement in an August 2022 virtual webinar focused on trade and investment in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The statement clarified that Boelter’s participation as a speaker was arranged by a third party, and he was neither hired, paid, nor contracted by the nonprofit. Boelter had no further contact with the organization following the webinar appearance. In a provided biography for the session, Boelter was described as having previous experience working in Congo and with a security guard company.
According to information obtained by USA TODAY, a LinkedIn profile believed to belong to Boelter indicated that he had attended St. Cloud State University. University spokesperson Zach Dwyer confirmed Boelter’s graduation year as 1996.
David Carlson, a childhood friend of Boelter’s, recounted to Reuters that they had been living together in Minneapolis for over a year, and he last saw Boelter on the evening of June 13. Subsequently receiving a distressing message from Boelter at 6 a.m. on June 14, Carlson contacted the authorities. Expressing feelings of betrayal and sorrow for the victims, Carlson shared that Boelter was employed at an eye donation center and resided in their shared home due to its proximity to his workplace. The family residence of the Boelters was located in Green Isle, Minnesota, approximately one mile from where he was eventually apprehended. Green Isle Mayor Shane Sheets described the town of around 600 residents as a small community and noted that Boelter had no known political connections within the city.
Court documents revealed that Boelter was identified as a ‘prepper,’ referencing his preparedness tendencies.
