Suspected killer of Minnesota lawmaker is a doomsday 'prepper' with 'bailout' plan [View all]

Source: USA Today

Updated June 20, 2025, 11:57 p.m. ET


The man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband in a brazen attack while dressed as a police officer is a doomsday "prepper" who set aside passports, guns and hordes of cash in the event of a catastrophe, newly unsealed federal court documents show. Vance Boelter's wife relayed the doomsday plans after she was interviewed by police during a manhunt for Boelter after he allegedly shot four people on June 14, according to the complaint filed in U.S. District Court in Minnesota.

"During an interview, Boelter’s wife identified that she had recently received a group text message from Boelter in a group text thread with their kids," FBI Special Agent Terry Getsch wrote. "The text stated something to the effect of they should prepare for war, they needed to get out of the house and people with guns may be showing up to the house."

Law enforcement stopped Boelter’s wife while she was traveling with her four children to visit friends northwest of the metro area, the federal complaint said. In the car, officers found a safe, all of the children's passports as well as Boelter's, about $10,000 in cash, a revolver pistol in the glove box and another semi-automatic pistol in a cooler, the FBI says in the complaint. Boelter, 57, is accused of killing state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and seriously wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

The new information about Boelter and his family comes nearly a week after the attack that investigators say Boelter "extensively researched" and planned. He compiled a list of mostly Democratic state lawmakers and their addresses; he fitted his SUV with lights and a fake license plate to resemble a police squad car; and he purchased a silicone mask and a cache of weapons, according to a 20-page affidavit filed in federal court.

Read more: https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2025/06/20/suspected-minnesota-assassin-prepper/84292772007/