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In a car connected to the main suspect after the planned murders of two Democratic senators in Minnesota early Saturday, state authorities discovered fliers with the motto No Kings. The materials have come under intense scrutiny since they are believed to be connected to anti-President Trump protests planned for the same day throughout Minnesota.
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The defendant, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, has been connected to a string of violent assaults that resulted in the deaths of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the critical injuries of State Senator John Hoffman and his spouse in a different shooting, while following emergency surgery, both individuals made a full recovery.
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Surveillance images released to the public showed the suspect dressed in tactical gear and posing as law enforcement, having used a fake police SUV outfitted with emergency lights during the attacks. He remains at large after fleeing on foot following an exchange of gunfire with police.
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A broader investigation led to the recovery of a manifesto inside the suspect’s abandoned vehicle, which reportedly named multiple lawmakers, including those targeted, as intended victims. Law enforcement officials have cited the manifesto, along with the flyers, as evidence pointing to politically driven motives.
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Authorities have since linked the No Kings flyers to broader demonstrations opposing President Trump. Following the heightened threat posed by the recent attacks, the Minnesota State Patrol released a public advisory urging citizens to avoid participating in these gatherings. To coordinate efforts and manage the situation across the state, the State Emergency Operations Center has been activated.
Boelter, whose background includes international security roles across Africa, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, has been reported as the CEO of a Congo-based company and as director of a private security firm. His past connections to Minnesota’s Workforce Development Board, under both Democratic governors, were also noted, as well as his former service alongside one of the victims, Sen. Hoffman.
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The incident has intensified concerns over the apparent rise in politically motivated violence within Democrat-led states, especially as law enforcement resources continue to be strained by protest activity. While mainstream coverage has largely refrained from drawing connections to anti-Trump sentiment, the presence of protest-related materials near the crime scene has deepened speculation about ideological motivations.
There are also unanswered questions regarding the suspect’s access to private political data, the timing of the attacks about scheduled demonstrations, and the extent to which political rhetoric may have contributed to the violence. As the inquiry develops, authorities anticipate issuing further updates.