Minnesota authorities are searching for Vance Luther Boelter, 57, accused of a politically motivated shooting that killed two lawmakers and injured two others. A former appointee of Governor Tim Walz,

A Springdale pastor is one of a few people claiming they worked with Boelter in Fort Smith around 20 years ago.

In a political assassination, 57-year-old Vance Boelter shot two leading Minnesota Democrats and their spouses—one couple was killed—early Saturday morning. Boelter is a Christian fascist and Trump supporter.

Authorities arrested and charged Vance Boelter on Sunday night after he allegedly shot and killed House Democratic leader Melissa Hortman and her husband in their Brooklyn Park home and shot and seriously injured state Sen.

Vance Boelter, the suspect in the assassination and attempted assassination of two Minnesota lawmakers, is in custody according to The Associated Press. Boelter is accused of the targeted shootings killing Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband and injuring Minnesota State Sen.

Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, appointed Boelter as a private-sector representative to the nonpartisan Governor’s Workforce Development Council in 2016. Gov. Tim Walz, also a DFLer, reappointed Boelter for another four years in 2019; Boelter lived in Inver Grove Heights at the time. His term expired in 2023.

Vance Boelter, the subject of a nationwide manhunt, described himself as an experienced security professional who worked in conflict zones. A friend said at least part of that account is "fantasy."

In what Gov. Tim Walz has characterized as a “politically motivated assassination,” Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home while state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and are receiving care—and the alleged suspect, Vance Boelter, remains at large as a manhunt continues for a second day.