Authorities have reportedly identified a suspect in connection with the morning shooting that killed a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and injured a second lawmaker and his wife.
Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was sought for alleged contact with the attack.
At a press conference, officials shared a photo of Bault wearing a brown cowboy hat at a Minneapolis business shortly after the shooting on Saturday morning. Another photo released by authorities shows the masked suspect wearing tactical equipment like police and carrying a flashlight.
Boelter is reportedly the CEO of Red Lion Group, a Democratic Republic of the Congo-based Red Lion Group and a director of Praetorian Guard Security Services, according to the Minnesota African United website.
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Boelter wrote on his LinkedIn page last month: “For the past three years, I have been working on projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
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According to the website of Praetorian Guard Security Services, Boelter has a broad security background and has experience in Africa, North America, Eastern Europe and the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip. He reportedly received security training from members of U.S. military and private companies.
Boelter's family, Praetorian Guard Security Services and Minnesota African Federation did not immediately respond to a request for comment from Fox News Digital.
According to Fox 9, Boelter reportedly earned a PhD in leadership for his study and service from Cardinal Stritch University, after being appointed to the state’s Workforce Development Commission by two Minnesota governors.
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A map showing where two shootings occurred in Minnesota.
He was originally appointed in 2016 by Gov. Mark Dayton, and then reappointed as a private sector representative for the council in 2019 by Gov. Tim Walz. Boelter's term expires in 2023.
The Minnesota Labor Development Commission and the Walz administration did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital's request for comment.
Democrats – Agriculture Labor Party (DFL) spokesman Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark fatally shot Walz in Brooklyn Park earlier Saturday, known as “targeted political violence.”
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Photos provided by the Minnesota Legislature are from the left, Sen. John A. Hoffman and Rep. Melissa Hortman.
“We have to fight all forms of political violence in Minnesota and across the country,” Waltz said. “The people who are in charge will be responsible.”
DFL Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot dead in Champlin in a related shooting. They are expected to survive without surgery.
According to authorities, the gunman was allegedly wearing a uniformed policeman and was driving a vehicle that appeared to be equipped with a fake patrol vehicle.
“[The] The suspects took advantage of the trust of our uniforms, which our uniforms were meant to represent,” said Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson. “The betrayal is deeply uneasy for those of us who wear badges with honor and responsibility. ”
Officials said the gunman allegedly escaped through the back door of the Holtman home after exchanging gunfire with police, who arrived at home as a precaution after the Hoffman attack.
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Colonel Christina Bogojevic asked people not to participate in any “King” protests planned across the state on Saturday. Bogojevic said authorities had no evidence that the suspect would target the protests, but added that police found a bunch of “King-free” flyers in a car believed to be associated with the gunman.
President Donald Trump said in a White House statement that the FBI will help the investigation.
“Our Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are investigating the situation and they will prosecute anyone to the maximum extent of the law. In the United States of America, this terrible violence will not be tolerated. God bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly good place!”
The FBI directed Fox News Digital to comment with the Minnesota Criminal Arrest Bureau.
Boolter, who is 6'1″ tall and weighs about 220 pounds, warned that he is considered armed and dangerous.
This is a shocking news story that will be updated.
Original article source: Who is Vance Luther Boelter? Minnesota State Assemblyman Killed Suspect
