US authorities have identified Vance Luther Boelter (57 years old) as a suspect in the assassination of two Democratic lawmakers from Minnesota. The suspect was accused of killing Ms. Melissa Hortman - Speaker of the House of Representatives of Minnesota - and her husband at her private home. Vance Luther Boelter is also believed to have opened fire, injuring state congressman John Hoffman and his wife.
According to information from the Minnesota state police on June 14 (local time), suspect Boelter impersonated a police officer when carrying out the attack. This person wore a rubber mask and a police uniform to approach the victims. Boelter worked with Hortman on a district court in Minnesota, causing the investigation agency to suspect the suspect of being familiar with the victims.
Boelter has a deep background in security and military, having worked for the private security company Praetorian Guard in regions such as Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East, including the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and southern Lebanon. The company used vehicles similar to US police cars, allowing Boelter to easily disguise himself when committing the crime.
Boelter has compiled a list of targets as Democratic politicians in the state of Minnesota. The list includes Governor Tim Walz, Representative Ilhan Omar, Representative Tina Smith and Attorney General Keith Ellison. The list also includes the names of Ms. Hortman and Mr. Hoffman.
The list also includes individuals who support the right to abortion or provide abortion services locally. Some of these people have been increased protection by the authorities.
After Mr. Hoffman was shot in the early morning of June 14, the police inspected Ms. Hortman's private house nearby. At 3:35 a.m., officers discovered suspect Boelter leaving Ms. Hortman's house in police uniform. The suspect fought with the police and then fled, leaving a car with a police light at the scene.
The state authorities of Minnesota are working with federal agencies to arrest suspect Boelter but have not yet found a trace.
Mr. Tim Walz - Governor of Minnesota - said he would not spare any resources to bring Boelter suspect to justice. He emphasized that the United States is not a place to resolve disagreements by violence and called for solidarity to fight against all forms of violence.
