Vance Luther Boelter, the 57-year-old that authorities have identified as the suspected gunman wanted for allegedly shooting and killing a state representative and shooting and wounding a state senator in a targeted act of violence, allegedly had dozens of Minnesota Democrats on a target list.
Those on the list included Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and state Attorney General Keith Ellison, according to law enforcement sources familiar with the matter.
Police said the list — which was retrieved from the suspect’s vehicle — also named Hortman and Hoffman. Both victims are Democrats and Hortman was formerly the Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
The shooter’s list of potential targets also included the names of abortion providers and pro-choice activists, several sources told ABC News. Many of the Democratic lawmakers on the list have been outspoken about pro-choice policy positions, two sources said.
Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn. called Hortman and Hoffman “friends” and “decent people” who were simply “trying to represent the people that they were elected to represent.”
Klobuchar told ABC News’ “This Week” co-anchor Martha Raddatz that people should “know” the victims of political violence and threats, calling Hortman in part a “true leader” and saying Hoffman was “equally respected,” and that both were “decent people who didn’t deserve this to happen to them.”
Security resources have been dispatched to protect those people named on the list, authorities said. The Capitol Police said it’s “working with our federal, state and local partners.”
MORE: Klobuchar on slain Minnesota lawmaker: ‘Such a decent person’
Authorities said they’re still investigating if Boelter knew the victims in Saturday’s shootings: State Rep. Melissa Hortman and State Sen. John Hoffman. But Boelter did serve on a state board alongside Hoffman.
It is believed that the third photo in this wanted poster shows the suspect at one of the lawmakers’ homes early Saturday. Authorities said the suspect was impersonating a police officer.
Police believe that when the shooter opened fire, he was wearing a latex mask that looked realistic, sources said.
Boelter — a husband and father, according to an online biography — has touted an extensive background in security and military training, according to an ABC News review of his online presence and professional history.
Boelter helped lead the private security firm Praetorian Guard Security Services, which is based in the Twin Cities area, according to the company website.
Boelter’s biography on that site said he’s been “involved with security situations in Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East, including the West Bank, Southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip.”
“He brings a great security aspect forged by many on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military,” the biography said, adding that he’s “focused all this experience” to make sure Praetorian Guard “covers the needs you have to keep your family and property safe.”
The security firm’s site says they “only offer armed security,” and that they use “the same make and model of vehicles that many police departments use in the U.S.”
Boelter’s role as a local businessman appeared to help build inroads into state politics. In 2016, Boelter was appointed to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board, which is tasked with analyzing and recommending policy to the governor and legislature on workforce and resources. Boelter’s appointment as a private sector representative from then-Gov. Mark Dayton came due to the “special trust and confidence” he had earned in his “integrity, judgment, and ability,” according to his official notice of appointment. Boelter was reappointed in 2019 by Walz.
Boelter appeared to have an interest in electoral outcomes, posting on LinkedIn six years ago, urging “everyone to vote in the election on Tuesday.”
Police released this photo of Boelter taken on Saturday.
The shootings began around 2 a.m. Saturday, when Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were both shot multiple times at their home in Champlin, Minnesota, authorities said.
“We’re cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt,” Walz said at a news conference.
MORE: What to know about Melissa Hortman, John Hoffman
After Hoffman was shot, officers headed to proactively check on Hortman, who lived in the nearby town of Brooklyn Park, police said.
Around 3:35 a.m., the officers found the suspect — dressed as a police officer — coming out of Hortman’s house, police said.
The suspect fired at the officers; gunfire was exchanged and the suspect was able to escape and flee on foot, authorities said.
Hortman and her husband, Mark, were both found fatally shot at the house, police said.
MORE: Gov. Tim Walz, other Minnesota leaders pay tribute to legislators shot at homes
The suspect’s vehicle — which looked like a police vehicle, including police lights — was in Hortman’s driveway, authorities said, and the list of potential targets was found inside the car.
Walz said in a statement, “We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint. We have demonstrated again and again in our state that it is possible to peacefully disagree, that our state is strengthened by civil public debate. We must stand united against all forms of violence.”
“We will spare no resource in bringing those responsible to justice,” he added.
ABC News’ Sasha Pezenik, Jenny Wagnon Courts, Chris Looft, Josh Margolin, Luke Barr, Mike Levine and Katherine Faulders contributed to this report.
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