Minnesota Shooter Was Doomsday Prepper Targeting Lawmakers

Vance Boelter, accused of fatally shooting Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as wounding Senator John Hoffman and his wife, was identified by the FBI as a doomsday prepper who had stockpiled weapons and supplies in anticipation of catastrophic events. Boelter had given his wife a detailed "bailout plan" instructing her to flee to her mother's home in Wisconsin in case of emergency, and sent a text warning his family to "prepare for war" and anticipate armed threats at their home. Authorities found firearms, passports, $10,000 in cash, and a safe in his wife's vehicle during a traffic stop following the shootings. Boelter's wife and children are not charged, and investigators have found no evidence of accomplices, though Boelter allegedly planned attacks on other politicians as well. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has called the attacks "targeted political violence," and court documents revealed Boelter claimed conspiracies involving political figures. Boelter had business ties with a security company and fishing outfit in Africa, but his wife reportedly was unaware of his alleged plot.