Who is Vance Boelter? What we know about Minnesota assassination suspect

As Minnesota continues to grapple with the fallout from the tragic shootings that killed one state legislator and severely injured another, more information about the alleged assassin, Vance Boelter, is coming to light.

Boelter was captured Sunday after a 43-hour manhunt and charged in the assassinations of Speaker Emeritus Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The 57-year-old suspect was also charged in the attempted assassinations of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Boelter’s “hit list” included the names of dozens of Democratic politicians as well as abortion facilities.

According to Boelter’s LinkedIn page, the alleged assassin had an extensive history working in the food industry for companies such as Johnsonville Sausage, Nestle, and Del Monte Foods. In addition, he recently managed a 7-11 store in Minneapolis.

The suspect’s LinkedIn profile, which has been taken down, said that Boelter received a doctorate degree in leadership from Cardinal Stritch University. Prior to that, he received a master’s of science in management from Cardinal Stritch University and a bachelor’s degree in international relations from St. Cloud State University.

In 2016, Boelter was appointed to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board by Gov. Mark Dayton. Three years later, Boelter was reappointed to the board by Gov. Tim Walz. The alleged assassin’s term on the workforce development panel concluded in 2023.

The Governor’s Workforce Development Board is a panel of more than 50 individuals from the public and private sector who develop policies to address Minnesota’s workforce needs. State law requires the board to meet at least four times per year.

According to the board’s 2023 report to the Minnesota Legislature, Boelter served alongside individuals such as Sen. Hoffman, former University of Minnesota President Joan Gabel, now-CEO and Publisher of the Minnesota Star Tribune Steve Grove, Hennepin County Commissioner Irene Fernando, former Rep. Barb Haley, Sen. Carla Nelson, Department of Corrections Commissioner Paul Schnell and others.

In an undated video uncovered after Saturday’s shooting, Boelter said he was working for two funeral homes transporting bodies. That portion of Boelter’s employment history was not included on his LinkedIn profile.

Minnesota assassination suspect Vance Luther Boelter describing his background in undated video pic.twitter.com/DtYdYDW15b

— Alpha News (@AlphaNewsMN) June 14, 2025

Boelter was involved in several family-run companies, nonprofits

In addition to his previously-mentioned roles, Boelter also appeared to work for a private security company in Minnesota called Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC. Boelter’s wife, Jenny, was listed as president and CEO of the company on its website. A man named Todd Boelter was also listed as an employee of the company.

“Dr. Vance Boelter has 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,” said Boelter’s biography on the Praetorian Guard website.

“He brings a great security aspect forged by both many on the ground [sic] experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military. He has worked for the largest U.S. oil refining company, the world’s largest food company based in Switzerland and the world’s largest convenience retailer based in Japan.”

According to the Minnesota Secretary of State, the company has been administratively terminated twice—once in 2022 and again in January 2025. However, the company was reinstated both times.

Todd Boelter is described on the company website as a “retired undercover officer” with experience “working alongside many government agencies such as the FBI.”

A viral X thread posted by a citizen researcher highlighted public records, property listings, and other details tied to the Boelter family. The thread documents various addresses purportedly associated with the Boelters including a property in Pierson, Iowa.

Vince Boelter has an interesting property history in Pierson, Iowa. Separately, he bought a house in Green Isle, MN for $520,000 in 2023 and seems to have a couple other properties there. Unclear if the Minnesota properties were purchased with cash. pic.twitter.com/WFnYSBV9kY

— DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) June 14, 2025

The Pierson property is allegedly a 7,000-square foot home that he purchased for $20,000 in 2020.

A 7,000 foot mansion. pic.twitter.com/mxmH3a6mkb

— DataRepublican (small r) (@DataRepublican) June 14, 2025

The Boelters also reportedly had a 501c(3) nonprofit called Revoformation Ministries. The nonprofit’s stated mission was religious, though its scope remains vague. The official website for the ministry is no longer active.

Another charity Boelter apparently started was called “You Give Them Something to Eat” which was involuntarily dissolved after only two years in 2023. Tax documents show that this nonprofit reported $0 in revenue.

In addition, Boelter identified himself on his LinkedIn page as the CEO of Red Lion Group, which has a now-removed website that claimed to operate in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). The site listed no personnel or details.

“Hi everyone! I’m looking to get back into the U.S. Food Industry and I’m pretty open to positions. Other Leadership positions outside of the Food Industry I’m willing to hear about as well. I have been doing projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo in central Africa the last three years with Red Lion Group,” Boelter wrote on LinkedIn one month ago.

During his time in the DRC, Boelter was given the opportunity to speak to a large audience of local Christians. A resurfaced video shows him preaching at a church, where he danced around the stage and told attendees, “Woooo, I’m excited about God. I wanna worship Him.” He reportedly preached at the church on multiple occasions.

Vance Boelter gives sermon in Congo a few years ago.pic.twitter.com/dVpuKR6SQc

— Citizen Free Press (@CitizenFreePres) June 15, 2025

That church recently issued a statement acknowledging that Boelter came to the country solely as a part of a missionary team, but said that the suspect never resided in their city and never worked as a missionary, representative, or pastor with their organization.

“It is with deep sorrow and profound sadness that we have learned of the serious allegations involving Mr. Boelter,” wrote the organization. “We are heartbroken and grieved by such reports, which strike at the honor of God, the integrity of the local church, and the unity of the Body of Christ.”

Boelter also reportedly participated in a two-year program at Christ for the Nations Institute in Dallas and graduated in 1990.

“We are absolutely aghast and horrified that a CFNI alumnus is the suspect. This is not who we are. This is not what we teach. This is not what we model,” the school told local news outlets.

The day after the shootings, Jordan Family Church (JFC) in Jordan, Minn., issued a public statement about Boelter, who was a member of their congregation.

“Jordan Family Church is a community of faith dedicated to serving those God entrusts to us by teaching them to obey all Jesus has commanded,” wrote the JFC. “This incident has devastated our church family and does not reflect our values or beliefs. We do not understand the actions that took place yesterday, which are the opposite of what Jesus taught his followers to do and contrary to the teachings of JFC.”

The church emphasized it is cooperating fully with law enforcement and offering spiritual care to its congregation.

 

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