the staff of the Ridgewood blog
BROOKLYN PARK, MN — a shocking and politically motivated act of violence rocked Minnesota on the morning of Saturday, June 8, as former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were gunned down in their home in what authorities are calling an assassination. Just five miles away, Senator John Hoffman and his wife were seriously injured in a similar attack at their residence.
The suspected gunman, Vance Luther Boelter, remains at large after exchanging gunfire with police at the Hortmans’ home and escaping. Authorities have labeled the attacks domestic terrorism fueled by anti-government extremism.
🔎 Who is Vance Luther Boelter?
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Age: 57
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Occupation: CEO of Praetorian Guard Security Services and Red Lion Group, which is reportedly based in the Democratic Republic of Congo
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Security Background: Claims experience in international security operations across Eastern Europe, Africa, and the Middle East, including areas like Southern Lebanon, West Bank, and Gaza Strip
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Previous Roles: Appointed to the Minnesota Workforce Development Council by former Gov. Mark Dayton (2016), and reappointed by Gov. Tim Walz (2019)
Boelter has ties to Minnesota Africans United, a statewide organization supporting African immigrants. His professional background includes various managerial roles in the food service industry, including 7-Eleven, Del Monte, and Johnsonville Sausage.
Despite his prior state appointments under Democratic administrations, Boelter last registered to vote as a Republican in 2022.
📄 Motive & Manifesto
Inside the Hortmans’ home, police found a “manifesto” with a hit list of 70 political figures, including Governor Tim Walz, and flyers reading “No Kings,” referencing anti-Trump protest slogans. The suspect posed as a police officer, gaining entry into the homes of his targets.
Authorities confirmed that the attacks were deliberate and ideologically motivated, possibly aimed at lawmakers and government officials viewed as “elitist” or tied to the establishment.
📍Timeline of the Attacks
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2:00 a.m.: Boelter allegedly broke into the Hortman residence in Brooklyn Park and fatally shot Melissa Hortman and her husband
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Shortly afterward, he targeted the Champlin home of Sen. John Hoffman, leaving the senator and his wife critically injured
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Law enforcement responded and briefly cornered Boelter, who exchanged gunfire but managed to escape
Boelter’s attack was methodical, and his manifesto reportedly included names of political leaders nationwide, raising concerns over further planned violence.
👮 Manhunt and Public Safety Alert
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety, FBI, and local law enforcement have launched a multi-agency manhunt. Citizens are urged to remain vigilant and report sightings or tips by calling:
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911
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ICE Tip Line: 866-DHS-2-ICE (347-2423)
Boelter is considered armed and extremely dangerous. Authorities are investigating potential connections to domestic extremist groups.
⚠️ Community Reactions and Political Fallout
This unprecedented act of violence has left Minnesota’s political community reeling. Tributes have poured in for Melissa Hortman, remembered for her leadership, advocacy, and decades of public service.
Governor Walz has vowed to increase security around state leaders and called the attacks “an attack on democracy itself.”
📰 Stay Updated
As authorities continue their search, the situation remains fluid. For the latest updates on this developing story, from politics to policy, from culture to current affairs, our eBlast will keep you well-informed . http://eepurl.com/bgt6T #RidgewoodBlog #News #LocalNews #StateNews #NationalNews #Subscribe #StayInformed #Community
Praying for their families and the lawmaker and his wife who were gravely wounded. Praying for this country to stop the turmoil and violence.
and this sentiment gets a thumbs down. Very sad.
What’s the over/under on whether he shouts free palestine before he gets gunned down?
Sad situation. Arrest this slob! Fox 5 news last night reported the story, fine, but every sentence said “democratic lawmakers “were shot making an obvious point. Stressing democrat lawmakers. Of course their report didn’t state the facts that I just read in your report!
The shooter was a Democrat Lawmaker as well….
Yeah, Democrat Lawmakers Boohoo! Demonrats have been encouraging attacks against the president for years now! And it lead to actual attempts! Im not saying these two are responsible or deserved anything but don’t be surprised when your wishes get blown back to you Democraps!
Yeah Ok thumbs downers, MSNBC called and they want their hate back.
Finding this skunk shouldn’t take too long….
democrats are always calling for violence
What about Mike Johnson, speaker of the house? He’s a Republican who said Gavin Newsom should be tarred and feathered. Nonsense on both sides of the aisle. Where are the adults in the room? And then we wonder why political violence continues.
What’s even more sad and disturbing is that the president won’t even call the Minnesota governor to express condolences. He doesn’t like Tim Walz and continues with the name calling against him. Did the president reach out to the survivors and/or their families ?No empathy, no concern. Just pettiness. Shameful.
Democratic Rep. Stephen Lynch of Massachusetts and Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz compared Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations to the Gestapo, which was a police force in Nazi Germany.
Trump condemned the attack immediately , Tim Walz is the jerk off who hired the guy
humm didn’t hear much sympathy from the dumbs or dems when trump was shot at????
you libs sadly believe your own BS
In an interview with CNN’s Christiane Amanpour, former Democratic Presidential nominee Hillary Clinton discusses why she believes supporters for former President Donald Trump are intimidating “sane” House GOP members and calls for a “formal deprogramming” for MAGA “cult extremists.”
Hillary who?