Either you or some of your friends have been typing that the Left is way more violent than the Right.
I woke up thinking about that Minnesota case. Like, I'm sure nobody remembers much about that case - or who the assailant was. So I looked it up.
The man accused of killing Minnesota politicians in June 2025 is
Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old father of five from Minnesota.
The Attack:
In the early hours of June 14, 2025, he allegedly disguised himself as a police officer, even using a car made to look like a squad vehicle. He went to the homes of prominent state lawmakers, including House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Senator John Hoffman.
Hortman and her husband Mark were killed.
Hoffman and his wife were shot but survived.
What He Carried:
Authorities say he had a "hit list" in his car, which included the names of other political figures and abortion rights advocates suggesting his violence was politically motivated.
Background:
He was described in press reports as a disgruntled man with extreme anti-government and anti-abortion views. He had a history of making threats online, but he wasn't on law enforcement's immediate radar for violence until this attack.
Capture:
After the shootings, a massive manhunt took place. He was arrested later that day, without officers firing shots.
Religious and Political Leanings
He was described by friends and former associates as a devout evangelical Christian, attending an evangelical church.
Socially and politically conservative, with anti-abortion views.
He registered to vote as a Republican in Oklahoma in 2004, though in Minnesota his registration had "no party preference" for some time.
Education & Claims
He claims to have a bachelor's degree in international relations (from St. Cloud State University) and later earned a master's and doctorate in leadership/educational leadership from Cardinal Stritch University.
Career & Financial Situation
Boelter has held assorted jobs over the years. Some of the verifiable ones include working in food service (e.g. grocery/convenience management) and at least one 7-Eleven.
He co-founded or was involved in several ventures:
Praetorian Guard Security Services (Minnesota) his wife is listed as president/CEO, he as "director of security patrols." The security firm website presents armed/security-style services, vehicles, etc.
Revoformation Ministries, a nonprofit ministry founded with his wife.
Red Lion Group claimed business activity (development, agriculture, etc.) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
But many of Boelter's claims (especially around security training, or client lists for his security work) are either unverified or found to be false or exaggerated by investigators.
Reports say he was struggling financially in recent years: after working overseas and in ministry or business ventures, he appears to have found it difficult to maintain stability.
Public & Civic Roles
Boelter served on Minnesota's Workforce Development Board under Governors of both parties (appointed first by Democrat Mark Dayton and then by Democrat Tim Walz).
That board deals with public/private sector collaboration around workforce issues.
Behavior & Pre-Attack Clues
He preached overseas, including in Africa (e.g. Democratic Republic of the Congo), including sermons where he expressed strong religious beliefs and made comments about abortion and moral decay.
He left "farewell"-type messages to friends before the attack, indicating he might be "gone for a while" and "may be dead shortly."
He apparently maintained lists of names of lawmakers, abortion rights advocates, healthcare officials, etc.
Uncertainties / Conflicts
Security Experience
Many of his assertions about having military or law-enforcement training or doing security work abroad are not verified. Some friends think parts of his story are exaggerated or "fantasy."
Extent of Motive
It's not yet fully clear how ideologically driven he was, or exactly what triggered the attack (though abortion politics is believed to be part of it, among other grievances).
Mental State / Radicalization
There are hints he may have become more extreme recently, but how or when that shift happened is under investigation. Some sermons and international travel are cited as potential factors. But direct evidence of long-term radicalization is still being pieced together.
