Police in Minnesota have identified the suspect in the murder of Democratic Congresswoman Melissa Hortman and her husband as Vance Luther Butler, US media reported. The suspect, who is still at large, also wounded Democratic Senator John Hoffman and his wife.
Butler, as reported by The Post, posed as a police officer on Saturday morning and first wounded Senator Hoffman and his wife before heading to the home of Democratic Congresswoman Melissa Hortman and killing her and her husband.
The suspect, whom US media state is 57 years old, was an associate of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. In 2019, Butler was appointed to a four-year term on the governor’s Workforce Development Board. According to his biography, as reported by the media, he is the executive director of a company based in Minnesota, as well as one headquartered in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He graduated with a degree in International Relations from the University of Minnesota and reportedly also holds a master’s in management. He has worked for some of the world’s leading companies based in the United States, and has experience in Eastern Europe and Africa, as well as the Middle East.
BREAKING: I'm told by a police source in Minnesota the suspect in the shootings of MN state lawmakers is Vance Luther Boelter.
— Julio Rosas (@Julio_Rosas11) June 14, 2025
It appears it is the same Boelter who was appointed to the Governor’s Workforce Development Board in 2019 by Gov. Tim Walz. He appointed to the… pic.twitter.com/r1wjWXs2lA
In Butler’s vehicle, as reported by US CBS, a list was found with a large number of potential targets, which included more than 50 individuals, among them non-Minnesota officials, abortion rights activists, and medical personnel who perform those procedures.
The car also contained flyers mentioning the “No Kings” protests, which are being held across the US against President Donald Trump. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said it appears to be a “politically motivated murder.”
Walz reported that Senator John Hoffman and his wife sustained multiple gunshot wounds and have undergone surgery.
Police representatives explained that, after Hoffman was shot, officers encountered the suspect, who was dressed as a police officer with a badge, taser, and other equipment, emerging from his house. The suspect fired at the officers, after which he managed to escape on foot.
Source: Nova Photo: Media
MORE TOPICS:
“THE ROAD TO TEHRAN IS OPEN”: Israel Prepares Fierce Strike on Iran’s Capital!