New court documents reveal the man charged in the fatal shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and attacks on their spouses was a “doomsday prepper” who had prepared his family for catastrophe. According to an FBI affidavit unsealed Friday, Vance Boelter, 57, sent his wife alarming texts hours after the attacks, instructing her to prepare for “war” and telling his family to flee their home.
The affidavit, written by FBI agent Terry Getsch, identifies Boelter and his wife as “preppers.” This term describes individuals who go to extensive lengths to prepare for major or catastrophic incidents, such as war or societal collapse, often stockpiling supplies like weapons, food, and gasoline. Boelter’s wife confirmed this identity to investigators, describing their family as belonging to a group that prepares for such large-scale events.
Aftermath and a “Bailout Plan”
Hours after the deadly attacks on June 14, Boelter sent urgent text messages to his wife and children. In a family group chat, he wrote something akin to needing to “prepare for war,” “get out of the house,” and that “people with guns may be showing up.” Around 6:18 a.m., he allegedly sent a separate message to his wife stating, “Dad went to war last night…” and warned her that “some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy” and he didn’t want his family present.
Boelter’s wife was later stopped by law enforcement near Lake Mille Lacs as she drove with their four children. She was reportedly following a “bailout plan” he had given her for “exigent circumstances,” directing her to her mother’s home in Wisconsin. A search of her vehicle revealed approximately $10,000 in cash, passports for the family, a revolver, and a semi-automatic pistol – items consistent with preparing to flee or for a crisis. Authorities have stated his wife has not been charged with any crime, and court documents do not suggest she or their children had prior knowledge of his alleged plot.
Evidence of Targeted Planning
Evidence suggests the attacks were meticulously planned and politically motivated. According to court documents, Boelter allegedly disguised himself as a police officer, using a black SUV fitted with lights and a “police” license plate. He wore a black tactical vest and a silicone mask and carried a cache of weapons, impersonating law enforcement to gain access to the victims’ homes.
Investigators discovered a storage locker he rented in Minneapolis, accessed the day before the shootings, which contained empty rifle cases and gun-cleaning supplies. Crucially, authorities found a “hit list” inside what they believe was Boelter’s vehicle, reportedly containing dozens of names, including the victims, several other Democratic lawmakers, and reproductive rights advocates, supporting the theory of politically motivated violence. Further details emerged about a rambling letter Boelter allegedly wrote to the FBI claiming Governor Tim Walz had ordered him to kill Senator Amy Klobuchar as part of a baseless plot.
The Attacks and Manhunt
The attacks unfolded during the night of June 14. At the Champlin home of Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, they were reportedly woken by someone posing as an officer banging on their door around 2 a.m. Both Senator Hoffman and Yvette were shot multiple times; Yvette was shot while pushing the assailant out of the doorway while shielding their daughter, Hope, who managed to call 911. The Hoffman family later recounted the terror and noted the difficult reality of public service risks. Senator Hoffman suffered nine gunshot wounds and remains in serious but stable condition, while Yvette Hoffman, shot eight times, has been released from the hospital.
Approximately 90 minutes later, Boelter allegedly attacked the home of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark in Brooklyn Park, fatally shooting them. He reportedly exchanged gunfire with police outside the Hortmans’ residence but fled the scene on foot, leaving behind items like a ballistic vest, handgun magazines, and a Beretta pistol.
The attacks triggered what authorities described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota history. Boelter was apprehended late on June 15, two days after the shootings, while attempting to evade arrest by fleeing into a wooded area near his family home in Green Isle, about an hour southwest of the Twin Cities.
Details about Boelter’s background emerged, including claims of working in the food service industry and involvement with “Red Lion,” described as a “security company and fishing outfit” in Congo, Africa, where he was listed as CEO on a now-down LinkedIn profile. A childhood friend who shared a house with Boelter in Minneapolis told Reuters he last saw him the night before the attacks and received a text message around 6 a.m. on June 14 stating Boelter “might be dead soon,” prompting the friend to contact police.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz characterized the killing of Representative Hortman as a “politically motivated assassination.”
Boelter faces multiple state and federal murder and attempted murder charges. The investigation into the attacks and Boelter’s motivations remains ongoing.
