Latest news with #Boelter
Yahoo
31 minutes ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Ohio Reps. Marcy Kaptur, Shontel Brown on list of suspected Minnesota shooter
(AP/WJW) — From a legislator in downtown Minneapolis to a veteran Ohio congresswoman, many lawmakers included in the suspected Minnesota gunman's list of targets have vowed not to bow down. Vance Boelter, 57, has been charged with federal murder and stalking, along with state charges, following a nearly two-day search that culminated in his capture in the woods near his home. Lawmaker killings prompt security increase in Ohio He is suspected of shooting and killing former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday. He is also accused of wounding Democratic Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The dozens of politicians included in Boelter's writings were Democrats, according to acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson. About 45 were state and federal officials in Minnesota, while elected leaders in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin said they were also mentioned in the writings. Authorities have not provided a motive for the shootings. Manny Atwal, Boelter's lead attorney, declined to comment, saying the office just got the case. Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman's beloved dog also shot during attack, euthanized Ohio's own U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur's office said in a statement that her name was included in Boelter's writing but that it will not get in the way of her work 'to make life better for families across Northwest Ohio.' Here's what the statement said in full: Congresswoman Kaptur is exceedingly grateful to law enforcement for keeping our Great Lakes communities safe on several occasions over these past few years and for their work around the clock this weekend in Minnesota. Political extremism in America is cause for serious reflection and concern. The inclusion of Congresswoman Kaptur's name in the Minnesota suspect's writings is a matter better left for law enforcement and investigators — but it will not deter her work to make life better for families across Northwest Ohio. Uplifting those who she has the honor to serve has been her sole focus every single day she has served and nothing will deter her from doing so now. At this time out of respect to law enforcement working around the clock locally, and nationwide to keep law makers safe, we will not be providing further public comment on this matter. Additionally, U.S. Representative Shontel Brown said in a statement that her name was also recovered from the suspect's notes. She released the following statement: The politically motivated attacks targeting Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota were a horrific assault on our democracy and a heartbreaking tragedy for the families affected. My thoughts are with them—and with all who are shaken by this act of violence. I have been informed that my name appeared in evidence recovered from the suspect's notes. At the request of the U.S. Capitol Police, local law enforcement provided increased security at my home. I'm deeply grateful for their swift response and continued commitment to keeping public officials—and our communities—safe. This is a grim reminder of the growing threat public officials face—one that puts not just us, but our families, staff, and constituents at risk. I was swatted last year. Now my name is linked to another violent act. No one should feel unsafe simply for serving their community. The rise in violent rhetoric, conspiracy theories, and personal attacks is having real and dangerous consequences. Every leader—regardless of party—must speak out and stand against political violence in all its forms. On Wednesday, Brown spoke with FOX 8 News and said she is hopeful for the future. 'I am hopeful that because this incident occurred that we will be able to move forward with some standard policies and procedures on how to move forward with this without this escalating to a point where someone else's life is going to be lost,' Brown said. See more about the legislators included on the list right here. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Politics
- USA Today
A 'nightmare' in Minnesota
The suspect in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers visited the homes of other state officials. Two New Orleans fugitives are still on the run, 30 days after escaping jail. And there's a new, sort-of-presidential cellular service. 👋 Hello! Rebecca Morin here. Let's hop to Monday's news. But first: Bye-bye bikinis. 👙 It's tankini summer, but the tummy-covering two-piece set is sparking online debates. Minnesota shooting suspect captured and charged Vance Boelter, the man accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers, went to the homes of two other state officials the morning he launched a targeted "political assassination," said Joseph Thompson, the acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota. Boelter drove to the houses of the other state officials after he shot and wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in the early morning hours Saturday. Boelter was arrested Sunday night in rural Sibley County, about 50 miles from Minneapolis, after state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed, and Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times and wounded. 'Stuff of nightmares': Boelter faces six federal charges, including multiple counts of murder and stalking. Minnesota state prosecutors said they plan to pursue first-degree murder charges against Boelter. Thompson, the acting U.S. attorney for Minnesota, said Boelter's 'crimes are the stuff of nightmares.' 👉 Follow the latest updates. Travel warning to Israel amid conflict with Iran Americans are advised not to travel to Israel after another wave of Iranian missile attacks struck the country and killed at least eight people. The State Department on Monday classified travel to Israel and the West Bank as level 4, or 'do not travel,' the highest advisory level on the U.S. government's scale and one associated with life-threatening risks. Americans who are already in countries that have a "do not travel" warning are advised by the State Department to leave as soon as it is safe to do so. Israel launched a bombing campaign against Tehran late last week to limit its nuclear enrichment capabilities. Iran has returned fire on Israel, striking the heavily populated city of Tel Aviv and setting off air raid sirens in Jerusalem. What travelers should know about the new guidance. Real quick 30 days since New Orleans jailbreak It was like a scene out of a Hollywood movie. Thirty days ago, 10 men broke out of a New Orleans jail, prompting a manhunt for two escapees still on the run. The fugitives, some facing charges for violent crimes including second-degree murder, escaped after pulling off the sink-toilet unit affixed to the wall just after midnight May 16. But it wasn't until the morning that authorities knew fugitives escaped Orleans Parish Prison. In the days and weeks after the escape, authorities caught most of the fugitives. Authorities are still looking for Antoine Massey, 32, and Derrick Groves, 27. 👉 Inside the New Orleans jailbreak and manhunt. A new 'T' mobile The Trump presidency. Trump hotels. And now, Trump phones? The Trump Organization, the holding company for President Donald Trump's business ventures, on Monday announced a new cellular service called Trump Mobile. The network will offer 5G service with a flagship plan available for $47.45 a month − a nod to the president's first and second terms. But it's not just a service: The conglomerate also announced a new mobile phone, dubbed the T1 Phone, which will use an Android operating system and retail for $499. 📱 What to know about Trump Mobile. A break from the news Rebecca Morin is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY. Got thoughts or feedback? Reach out to her at rdmorin@
The Hill
a day ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Hundreds mourn slain Minnesota lawmaker, husband at vigil
Hundreds of people gathered outside the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul at dusk Wednesday for a candlelight vigil held in remembrance of slain state Rep. Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband, Mark. The Hortmans were gunned down at their home over the weekend by a shooter impersonating a law enforcement officer, surveillance video showed. Suspect Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested late Sunday and faces multiple state and federal murder charges. Authorities have not disclosed a motive in the attack, but Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz (D), who attended Wednesday's vigil, has described it as 'politically motivated.' Boelter is also accused of shooting and seriously wounding state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette, shortly before the Hortmans were killed. Authorities said Boelter had notebooks that named dozens of lawmakers in what's thought to be a 'hit list.' The Associated Press reported there was no speaking program at the tearful remembrance ceremony Wednesday. Videos of the gathering showed throngs of people on the Capitol's steps and lawn, quietly holding candles as a string quartet played somber music. Hortman, 55, was a prominent lawmaker, serving as state House speaker for six years of her more than two decades in office. The AP reported that an impromptu memorial sprang up outside the Capitol after the killings with flowers, American flags, photos and personal notes with thankful messages.
a day ago
- Politics
Minnesota state Sen. Hoffman credits daughter for 'saving countless other lives'
Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife are crediting their daughter Hope for "saving countless other lives" on the night the couple was shot and wounded at their home in what prosecutors called an assassination attempt. "Without Hope, we wouldn't be here right now," the Democratic state senator and his wife said in a statement on Wednesday, according to Minneapolis ABC affiliate KSTP. "Our daughter's quick instincts and wherewithal to state that her dad is Senator John Hoffman when she called 911 led the police getting to the Hortman's so quickly and saving countless other lives." Vance Boelter is accused of shooting and wounding John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their house in Champlin, Minnesota, as well as shooting and killing state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home in nearby Brooklyn Park early Saturday morning, authorities said. Boelter allegedly showed up to their doors impersonating a police officer, officials said. But two other lawmakers were spared the night of the shootings, according to acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joseph Thompson. After Boelter allegedly shot the Hoffmans, prosecutors said he drove to a state representative's house in Maple Grove. That lawmaker was not home as she and her family were on vacation, Thompson said, and Boelter left the scene. Boelter then allegedly drove to a state senator's home in New Hope and parked on the street, Thompson said. After learning of the shooting at Hoffman's home, New Hope police dispatched an officer to the New Hope lawmaker's house, Thompson said. When the officer arrived, she saw Boelter's car parked down the block and she believed Boelter was an officer dispatched to the scene, Thompson said. The officer pulled up next to Boelter, rolled down her window and tried to speak with him, but he did not respond and stared straight ahead, Thompson said. So the New Hope officer drove to the state senator's home and waited for other law enforcement, and by that time, Boelter had left the scene, Thompson said. After learning of the shooting at the Hoffmans', officers were proactively dispatched the Brooklyn Park home of his fellow lawmaker, former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives Melissa Hortman. When two Brooklyn Park officers arrived at the Hortmans', they saw Boelter's SUV in the driveway with emergency lights flashing and Boelter standing in front of the house, Thompson said. Boelter saw the officers and allegedly started shooting and running into the house, killing Melissa Hortman and her husband, Thompson said. The officers fired at Boelter as he allegedly rushed into the home, Thompson said, but the suspect escaped into the house and out the back. Boelter, who was arrested Sunday night, allegedly had a list of 45 elected officials in notebooks in his car, Thompson said. He faces federal charges including stalking and firearms charges and state charges including first-degree murder, officials said. The Hoffmans are recovering from their injuries. John Hoffman was shot nine times and Yvette was shot eight times, Yvette said, according to a message released by Minnesota Sen. Amy Klobuchar.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Mike Lee outrages Minnesota politicians with social media jabs about lawmaker's murder
U.S. Sen. Mike Lee, R-Utah, participates in a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing at the Dirksen Senate Office Building on May 13, 2025 in Washington, D.C. (Photo by) Editor's note: As of Tuesday, two of Sen. Mike Lee's posts about the suspect in the assassination of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman no longer appeared on his personal X account. Lee has not made public comments about the posts. Utah Sen. Mike Lee is facing criticism from a number of Minnesota politicians after appearing to make a joke about the suspect accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, claiming it was the result of 'Marxism.' That outcry includes the chairman of the state's Democratic Party, who called Lee 'one of the most dishonorable senators in American history;' Minnesota Democrat Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar, who said the joke was inappropriate and 'fuels this hatred and misinformation;'; Minnesota Rep. Kelly Morrison, also a Democrat, who said Lee's comments represented 'the watershed moment where things need to change;' and several state Republican lawmakers, who pushed back on Lee's attempt to connect the alleged shooter to Democrats. Vance Boelter was arrested Sunday night, suspected of the murder of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home. Boelter allegedly wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in a separate shooting. Police say Boelter had a 'hit list' of 45 Democrat elected officials. He's facing several charges, including first-degree murder. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz called the shootings 'an act of targeted political violence,' although police have yet to publicly announce Boelter's motive. Lee, who posts frequently on his personal X account, took to social media on Sunday, claiming Boelter has ties to Democrats and liberal politics. 'Nightmare on Waltz Street,' Lee wrote, attempting to connect Boelter to Walz, with his name misspelled. Lee's post featured two images of Boelter, including one taken from the crime scene. Boelter was initially appointed to a Workforce Development Council by former Democratic Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton in 2016, then reappointed in 2019 by Walz, according to the Minnesota Reformer. 'My plumber is connected to me and my wife. That doesn't mean we have anything to do with his other activities,' wrote Minnesota state Rep. Walter Hudson, a Republican from Albertville, in a social media post, arguing 'this has nothing to do with Governor Walz.' Lee also made two other posts tying Boelter to 'Marxism,' the political philosophy serving as the foundation for communism that's often used by Trump-aligned conservatives to insult Democrats. That includes a post featuring the same image from the crime scene that read 'This is what happens … When Marxists don't get their way.' Lee's office did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. Members of Congress on edge after assassination of Minnesota state legislator Lee, a prolific poster, made the comments on Sunday morning around 9 a.m. on his personal account on X, where he is known to be more inflammatory. Hours later, at 2:30 p.m., Lee posted from his official U.S. Senate account, where he typically takes a more measured tone, writing 'These hateful attacks have no place in Utah, Minnesota, or anywhere in America.' 'Please join me in condemning this senseless violence, and praying for the victims and their families,' the post reads. The Utah senator has since faced widespread backlash for his comments, including calls for his resignation. Critics have pointed out that Boelter was targeting Democrats, that his 'hit list' included abortion clinics, and that his roommate told reporters Boelter was a Trump voter. 'Senator Lee's heinous lies have only made the pain that Melissa's loved ones and colleagues are going through even worse. Using Melissa's murder to spread these lies is an act of evil that will cement his legacy as one of the most dishonorable senators in American history,' said Richard Carlbom, chairman of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, in a statement to Utah News Dispatch. Smith, the junior Minnesota senator, confronted Lee in Congress on Monday, telling him his comments were 'brutal and cruel.' 'He should think about the implications of what he's saying and doing. It just further fuels this hatred and misinformation,' she said, according to CNN. 'I wanted him to hear from me directly how painful that was and how brutal that was to see that on what was just a horribly brutal weekend.' Smith said Lee 'didn't say a lot. Frankly, I think he was a bit stunned. … He certainly didn't promise to take it down or say anything publicly about it. … He seemed kind of surprised to be confronted.' Speaking on MSNBC's 'Morning Joe' on Monday, Klobuchar said she also plans to confront Lee. 'What I'm going to tell him is this isn't funny what happened here. This is an incredible woman,' she said, adding that 'there was no Father's Day' for Hortman's children. 'I'll tell him about the law enforcement that did incredible work here,' Klobuchar continued. 'That's what I'm going to tell Sen. Lee when I get back to Washington today. Because this is not a laughing matter and certainly what we are seeing in increasing violence and this evil man who did this, this is not a joke.' Morrison, a first term congresswoman, took to X on Monday accusing Lee of promoting 'dangerous and harmful rhetoric we need everyone to call out and condemn.' 'This is the watershed moment where things need to change,' Morrison said, urging Democrats and Republicans to condemn Lee's remarks. 'This was posted one day after my friend — one of Minnesota's elected representatives — and her husband were assassinated in a politically-motivated attack. One day after another elected representative and his wife took 17 bullets from the assassin,' she said. 'We cannot accept this from a sitting United States Senator.' Minnesota state Rep. Nolan West, a Republican from Blaine, posted to X that he has 'tremendous respect' for Lee. 'But it doesn't mean he is immune from the base impulses social media incentivizes. People say stupid stuff on the internet all the time. The best they can do is admit they shouldn't have and be better,' he wrote. Speaking on the Senate floor Monday, Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer, of New York, said he was 'deeply disappointed' in Lee, accusing him of taking 'cheap political shots at the other side.' Lee's comments, Schumer said, risk 'escalating a perilous moment.' 'What the senior senator from Utah posted after the shooting was reckless and beneath the dignity of his office,' Schumer said. 'For a senator to fan the flames of division with falsities while the killer was still on the loose is deeply irresponsible. He should take down his post immediately and apologize to the families of the victims.' SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
