Latest news with #PraetorianGuard
Yahoo
a day ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Dem Assassin Is Armed Guard Boss With Anti-Abortion Hit-List
The man suspected of killing a top Minnesota state lawmaker has been identified as Vance Boelter, law enforcement sources told the Associated Press. The suspect, presumed to be Boelter, left behind a target list with more than 70 names, including top Minnesota Democrats like Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and abortion providers and advocates, according to CNN and ABC News. Boelter, 57, was appointed to Minnesota's Governor's Workforce Development Board by Walz in 2019, according to a document available online. The board advises the governor on Minnesota's workforce. Boelter is listed as director of security patrols for Praetorian Guard Security Services, a Minnesota company that offers 'residential security patrols' by guards who are 'armed' and 'uniformed,' according to its site. The site shows Boelter alongside the company's president and CEO on a leadership page. His biography on the site says that he 'has been involved with security situations in Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East, including the West Bank, Southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.' 'He brings a great security aspect forged by both many on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military,' it says. The bio promises that Boelter has the necessary experience to 'keep your family and property safe.' Based on public records, Boelter appears to have daughters named Faith, Hope, and Grace. Two of the daughters seem to be married, based on Minnesota wedding sites that match their names. And Instagram pages apparently belonging to two of the daughters feature bible quotes in their bios. Postings by family members suggest that some of Boelter's five children–four daughters and a son—were homeschooled. Boelter is suspected of killing Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, at their home in a Minneapolis suburb. The suspect also shot state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, at their home, but the couple is still alive. Both lawmakers were Democrats. The police have not announced any arrests. The target list, whose existence was confirmed by law enforcement earlier on Saturday, contained the names of many major Minnesota Democrats, including Walz, Omar, Sen. Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison, law enforcement sources told ABC. The item was recovered from the suspect's car after he fled a shootout with police, Brooklyn Park police chief Mark Bruley said during a press conference. Bruley said that the target list featured the names of 'many lawmakers and other officials,' including the two who were shot, but did not go into further specifics. The suspect was cornered by police at the Hortman home, which they checked after discovering that Hoffman was shot. He exchanged gunfire with police but was able to escape out the back of the house on foot. The man—described as white with brown hair—appeared to be impersonating a police officer. He was wearing a vest, taser, and badge, Bruley said. 'No question, if they were in this room, you would assume they were a police officer.' The suspect's car, which was in the Hortmans' driveway, was also made to look 'exactly like a SUV squad car,' including emergency lights, Bruley said. The car also contained fliers advertising the nationwide 'No Kings' protests against Donald Trump, which were scheduled to happen on Saturday, Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said at a news conference. 'We are asking the public not to attend today's planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution,' she said. A state official told The New York Times that there was 'reason to believe' that the suspect intended to target one of the anti-Trump rallies. The state patrol posted a photo, apparently of the fliers in the suspect's car, on social media, again urging the public not to attend the rallies. Organizers canceled the anti-Trump rallies across the state, according to the Associated Press. Local police are conducting a 'large-scale' manhunt with the help of the FBI. Multiple people have already been questioned, although no one is in custody. Bruley said, though, that 'persons of interest' have been identified. Walz, who also spoke at the press conference, called the shootings 'targeted political violence.' 'We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,' he said. 'Those responsible for this will be held accountable.' Hortman, 55, was the top Democrat in Minnesota's House and previously served as speaker. She was first elected in 2004. The wounded lawmaker, Hoffman, 60, has held his office since 2012. The suspect is considered armed and dangerous. Police ordered people living in the vicinity of the shootings—which took place in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota—to shelter in place. If a police officer approaches their house, locals have been instructed to call 911 to verify that the person is actually an officer. Editor's Note: An earlier version of this story incorrectly described Boelter as a Walz 'aide.' He was a non-political appointee of the governor.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Anti-Abortion Assassin Wore Creepy Latex Mask to Murder Dem
The FBI has released new images of Vance Boelter, the man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and shooting another, that show the mask he used as part of his ruse. Authorities had previously revealed that Boelter impersonated a police officer during his spree, but new images shared by the FBI on Boelter's wanted poster show that he also wore a latex mask. The images appear to be taken from doorbell or security camera footage. A manhunt is currently underway for Boelter, who is suspected of killing Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband. He is also believed to have shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Boelter fled on foot following a shootout with police at the Hortman home. In his abandoned vehicle, authorities found a list of nearly 70 potential targets, including Governor Tim Walz and Rep. Ilhan Omar, as well as abortion providers and advocates. Like Walz and Ohmar, both Hortman and Hoffman are Democrats. Boelter most recently worked as a director of security patrols for Praetorian Guard Security Services, a company that offers 'residential security patrols' by armed and uniformed guards. Boelter's bio on the company's website states that he has been involved in 'security situations' across the world, including in the West Bank, Southern Lebanon, and Gaza. The 57-year-old's bio also states that, 'He brings a great security aspect forged by both many on-the-ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. military.' In 2019, Boelter was appointed to Minnesota's Governor's Workforce Development Board, which advises the governor on the state's workforce, by Walz. The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information that could lead to Boelter's arrest and conviction.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minnesota shooting suspect's company claims he was ‘involved with security situations' around the world
A 57-year-old man who has been named as a suspect in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers worked at a private-security company that says he has been involved in 'security situations' around the world, including in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. The suspect remains at large, and a manhunt is underway across the Minneapolis area. The suspect in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers on Saturday worked at a private-security company that claims he has experience around the world. State Rep. Melissa Hortman, 55 years old, and her husband were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home. Elsewhere in Champlin, state Sen. John Hoffman, 60, and his wife were also shot at home and are recovering after undergoing surgery. Gov. Tim Walz described the shooting as 'an act of targeted political violence.' State authorities said they are looking for 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who remains at large with a manhunt underway across the Minneapolis area. According to the website for his company Praetorian Guard Security Services, Boelter is listed as director of security patrols, while his wife is listed as president and CEO. 'Dr. Vance Boelter has been involved with security situations in Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East, including the West Bank, Southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip,' the site says. 'He brings a great security aspect forged by both many on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military.' Another member of Praetorian's leadership team includes a security training manager who is described as a retired undercover officer. The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Law enforcement officials said a dark SUV with police lights was parked at Hortman's home when they responded to the shooting, adding that a man dressed like a police officer was inside and opened fire on Brooklyn Park police officers before fleeing. Praetorian's website also says Boelter has worked for 'the world's largest food company based in Switzerland and the world's largest convenience retailer based in Japan.' That appears to align with a LinkedIn profile with Boelter's name and photo that includes prior jobs as a supervisor at Nestle and a 7-Eleven general manager. It doesn't mention Praetorian Guard or any prior military experience, but lists his current job as CEO of Red Lion Group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Minnesota Star Tribune cited an online video from two years ago that appears to show Boelter preaching in Congo and telling a congregation, 'I met Jesus when I was 17 years old and I gave my life to him.' The LinkedIn page also says Boelter has a doctorate in leadership and a master of science in management from Cardinal Stritch University. It says he has a bachelor's degree in international relations from St. Cloud State University. This story was originally featured on
CNN
6 days ago
- Politics
- CNN
Live updates: Latest on the manhunt for gunman who shot Minnesota state lawmakers
Update: Date: 7 min ago Title: 10 things to know about the shooting suspect Content: As the search continues for the man accused of impersonating a police officer and killing State Rep. Melissa Hortman and wounding State Sen. John Hoffman, a clearer portrait of the suspect is emerging. Here's what we've learned about Vance Boelter: • Work: While his exact employment status was unknown, we know that Boelter had worked for a security company, Praetorian Guard Security Services, which advertised a fleet of 'police type vehicles' and other equipment that could potentially have aided him in appearing to be law enforcement. The firm was registered to Boelter's home address and listed a woman who is apparently his wife as president and CEO. • Religion: He is an outspoken evangelical Christian who traveled to Africa to tell his story and, in at least one sermon, pointedly questioned American morals on sexual orientation, according to videos and social media posts reviewed by CNN. • Hit list: Names on a list found in his car, which CNN obtained, are largely Democrats or figures with ties to Planned Parenthood or the abortion rights movement. The list included lawmakers such as Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Tina Smith. • Political views: He largely shied away from political posts in his publicly available social media feeds and did not discuss abortion rights in any religious speeches reviewed by CNN. In one talk he gave in the Democratic Republic of Congo in 2023, he appeared sharply critical of LGBTQ rights. • Link to victim: He served on a state board with Hoffman, records show. In 2019, Gov. Tim Walz put Boelter on the Governor's Workforce Development Board – a group of business owners who recommend policies to the state government. It's unclear how closely Boelter and Hoffman interacted in that role, if at all. • Party affiliation: Boelter registered to vote as a Republican in the early 2000s, state records show. A state document listing his 2019 appointment to a development board noted that he had 'no party preference.' • No record: A search of Minnesota criminal records showed no cases against Boelter aside from some traffic charges. • Education: Boelter's LinkedIn page states he had a doctorate in educational leadership and a master's of science in management, both from Cardinal Stritch University in Milwaukee, and he used the prefix Dr. on his website and social media. • Family: Social media posts indicate he has multiple children. • Home: Boelter had a property outside the small town of Green Isle, about 50 miles west of Minneapolis, according to records. Read more about the suspect. CNN's Isabelle Chapman, Curt Devine, Yahya Abou-Ghazala, Anna-Maja Rappard, Scott Glover, John Miller and Rob Kuznia contributed to this report. Update: Date: 7 min ago Title: What happened on Saturday Content: State Rep. Melissa Hortman — the top Democrat in the Minnesota House — and her husband were shot and killed in the early hours of Saturday morning, according to Gov. Tim Walz. Police are now searching for 57-year-old Vance Boelter, the main suspect in the killing, who has been described by Governor Tim Walz as an apparent 'politically motivated assassination.' Boelter is also suspected of shooting Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, who survived the shooting and underwent surgery. Yvette Hoffman saved her daughter Hope's life by throwing herself on top of her, a relative told CNN affiliate KARE. Here's what we know: Update: Date: 13 min ago Title: How police found the suspect at Hortman's home Content: Police were responding to a shooting at Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman's home around 2 a.m. when officers went to check on State Rep. Melissa Hortman, who lived about 9 miles away, at around 3:35 a.m. As they arrived at her home, they encountered the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, dressed like a police officer. As he came out of the house, he exchanged gunfire with the police before escaping on foot, leaving behind what appeared to be a police car at the scene. Police found writings in the vehicle that included a hit list with nearly 70 names. Those named are mostly Democratic politicians or figures with ties to abortion rights, including Minnesota lawmakers Rep. Ilhan Omar and Sen. Tina Smith. Boelter also had survival gear in the vehicle. Boelter is still at large. A shelter-in-place was implemented in Brooklyn Park, but lifted later on Saturday after authorities said they believed he was no longer in the area. Investigators are looking into whether he wore a latex face mask during the shootings, a law enforcement official told CNN. Read part of the police's dispatch audio to emergency services here.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Minnesota shooting suspect's company claims he was ‘involved with security situations' around the world
A 57-year-old man who has been named as a suspect in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers worked at a private-security company that says he has been involved in 'security situations' around the world, including in the Middle East, Europe and Africa. The suspect remains at large, and a manhunt is underway across the Minneapolis area. The suspect in the shooting of two Minnesota lawmakers on Saturday worked at a private-security company that claims he has experience around the world. State Rep. Melissa Hortman, 55 years old, and her husband were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home. Elsewhere in Champlin, state Sen. John Hoffman, 60, and his wife were also shot at home and are recovering after undergoing surgery. Gov. Tim Walz described the shooting as 'an act of targeted political violence.' State authorities said they are looking for 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who remains at large with a manhunt underway across the Minneapolis area. According to the website for his company Praetorian Guard Security Services, Boelter is listed as director of security patrols, while his wife is listed as president and CEO. 'Dr. Vance Boelter has been involved with security situations in Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East, including the West Bank, Southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip,' the site says. 'He brings a great security aspect forged by both many on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military.' Another member of Praetorian's leadership team includes a security training manager who is described as a retired undercover officer. The company didn't immediately respond to a request for comment. Law enforcement officials said a dark SUV with police lights was parked at Hortman's home when they responded to the shooting, adding that a man dressed like a police officer was inside and opened fire on Brooklyn Park police officers before fleeing. Praetorian's website also says Boelter has worked for 'the world's largest food company based in Switzerland and the world's largest convenience retailer based in Japan.' That appears to align with a LinkedIn profile with Boelter's name and photo that includes prior jobs as a supervisor at Nestle and a 7-Eleven general manager. It doesn't mention Praetorian Guard or any prior military experience, but lists his current job as CEO of Red Lion Group in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The Minnesota Star Tribune cited an online video from two years ago that appears to show Boelter preaching in Congo and telling a congregation, 'I met Jesus when I was 17 years old and I gave my life to him.' The LinkedIn page also says Boelter has a doctorate in leadership and a master of science in management from Cardinal Stritch University. It says he has a bachelor's degree in international relations from St. Cloud State University. This story was originally featured on
