Minnesota Politician Shooting Suspect Had Hitlist and Planned Targeted Attacks

The suspect in a Minnesota shooting that left a politician dead and another injured had a hitlist with about 70 names, including prominent state and federal politicians, community leaders, and abortion rights advocates, according to law enforcement officials. The suspect, Vance Boelter, had meticulously planned out the attacks, carrying out surveillance missions, taking notes on the homes and people he targeted, and disguising himself as a police officer. Boelter surrendered to police on Sunday after a two-day manhunt, and has been charged with federal murder and stalking offenses.

Key Takeaways:

• The suspect, Vance Boelter, had a hitlist with about 70 names, including prominent state and federal politicians, community leaders, and abortion rights advocates.
• Boelter had meticulously planned out the attacks, carrying out surveillance missions, taking notes on the homes and people he targeted, and disguising himself as a police officer.
• The suspect texted friends to apologise for his actions, though he didn't say what he had done, hours after the shootings.
• Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Senator John Hoffman.
• The suspect had many notebooks full of plans and made efforts to find the addresses of his victims and their family members.
• Authorities have not found any writings that would "clearly identify what motivated him" to carry out the attacks.
• The shootings were politically motivated, according to authorities.
• The suspect's wife consented to a search of her phone by law enforcement, which revealed a text from Boelter to a family group chat saying "Dad went to war last night ... I don't wanna say more because I don't wanna implicate anybody."
• Boelter bought an electronic bike and a Buick sedan from someone he met at a bus stop in north Minneapolis.
• A letter written to the FBI claims that Boelter was the shooter involved in the attacks.
• The letters were found in a car abandoned on a highway Sunday morning.
• The police found a cowboy hat that Boelter had been seen wearing in surveillance footage in the car.
• A police officer reported seeing Boelter running into the woods, prompting a massive manhunt.
• The search involved 20 different tactical teams and a helicopter, and lasted for hours.
• Boelter gave himself up to police, crawling out to officers before he was handcuffed and taken into custody in a field.

Statistics:

• 70: The number of names on the hitlist recovered from the fake police vehicle at the crime scene.
• 2: The number of politicians that were shot.
• 1: The number of politicians who died.
• 1: The number of politicians who were injured.
• 2: The number of politicians that were targeted but escaped harm.
• 1: The number of state workforce development board members that Boelter served with.
• 1: The number of times Boelter texted friends to apologise for his actions.

Sources:

• Ramsey County Sheriff's Office
• AP
• Hennepin County Sheriff's Office
• Minnesota State Legislature
• AFP
• Law enforcement officials (anonymous)
• A Minnesota official (anonymous)
• FBI affidavit