Food worker with 'fantasy' of security career sought in Minnesota political shootings June 15, 20251:49 [View all]

Food worker with 'fantasy' of security career sought in Minnesota political shootings


https://www.npr.org/2025/06/15/nx-s1-5434227/food-worker-with-fantasy-of-security-career-sought-in-minnesota-political-shootings


June 15, 20251:49 PM ET


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Vance Luther Boelter, age 57, is the suspect in targeting political shootings in Minnesota that left one Democratic lawmaker dead. A national manhunt is underway for Boelter who authorities say was last spotted on a camera in the city of Minneapolis. Boelter is shown here in photographs compiled by the FBI for a wanted poster.


A nationwide manhunt is in its second day for Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who has been identified by law enforcement agencies in Minnesota as the primary suspect in the targeted shootings early Saturday morning that left Democratic state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband dead.

Authorities said Boelter disguised himself as a law enforcement officer during the attack and news reports have focused on his apparent work as a security professional. But NPR's review of Boelter's online records and employment history found many of those claims about his professional life appear untrue.

In social media posts and websites, Boelter said he had extensive experience as a security professional with "training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military."
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NPR found little evidence to support Boelter's account. He appears to have worked most of his career in the food service industry and one long-time friend described parts of Boelter's narrative about his life as "fantasy."

Boelter is also being sought for the shooting of Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, who were wounded at their home. Authorities say Boelter should be considered armed and dangerous. They asked the public for help identifying his location and are offering a $50,000 reward, but said anyone seeing Boelter should call 911 and avoid contact.

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