Who is vance boelter?

Who is vance boelter?

Court documents describe him as a doomsday “prepper” who stockpiled weapons, cash, passports, and created a “bailout plan” for his family, instructing them to “prepare for war” and flee

Background & beliefs

Boelter was a private security contractor, co‑leading Praetorian Guard Security Services in the Twin Cities area.

He identified as a conservative Christian, attended evangelical church services, and supported Trump—his voting record confirms he participated in the 2024 Republican primary.

The shootings

• Disguised in police-style clothing and driving an SUV equipped with police lights and license plates, Boelter targeted Democratic legislators:
  1. Sen. John Hoffman and wife Yvette — shot at their Champlin home around 2 a.m.; both survived after surgery
  2. Ex-House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark — fatally shot at their Brooklyn Park home about 90 minutes later; Boelter exchanged gunfire with police in front of the house before fleeing the scene.
• Investigators found a “hit list” in his vehicle, naming around 70 individuals—including Democratic officials and reproductive rights advocates

The hunt & arrest

• Boelter’s disappearance triggered Minnesota’s largest-ever manhunt involving hundreds of officers and federal agents.
• His wife and four children were stopped in Wisconsin with supplies and a plan to flee, but she denies knowledge of his violent intentions.
• He was found hiding in woodlands near his Sibley County home and taken into custody on June 16

Allegations & mindset

• Boelter reportedly texted his family, “Dad went to war last night,” reflecting his militant “prepper” mentality.
• He allegedly wrote a rambling letter to the FBI claiming Gov. Tim Walz ordered him to kill Sen. Amy Klobuchar and others—a claim with no evidence.
• Investigators uncovered a cache of weapons, ammunition, protective gear, and a rented storage locker containing rifle cases and gun-cleaning kits

Why it matters

• This incident is being treated as politically motivated violence—an extremist attack against government officials—and is under federal and state investigation .
• Experts describe it as part of a growing trend of “violent populism” and vigilantism targeting elected leaders

Let me know if you’d like more details about the investigation, legal proceedings, or implications for political violence in the U.S.