Minnesota Police Arrest Suspect in Political Shootings Killing Two Lawmakers

Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old man with deeply religious and politically conservative views, was arrested and charged with the murders of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as shootings of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Boelter impersonated a police officer in the attacks, which authorities, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have described as politically motivated assassinations targeting Democratic lawmakers who were defenders of abortion rights. Before the shootings, Boelter carried a list of 50 to 70 names of Democratic legislators and abortion providers, and an SUV used by him was found disguised as a law enforcement vehicle with anti-Trump rally fliers inside. Boelter, who previously registered as a Republican and attended evangelical churches, also preached in the Democratic Republic of Congo and criticized U.S. churches for not opposing abortion. Friends described him as a church-going man interested in conspiracy theories, with connections to the religious school Christ For The Nations Institute in Dallas. The Catholic community mourned the loss of Hortman, who had been active in faith formation and public service, emphasizing the profound impact of the attack on the community and public servants.