Several Make America Great Again (MAGA) figures, such as Laura Loomer are criticizing Democratic Minnesota Governor Tim Walz over his ties to the suspect in Saturday’s deadly shooting.
Vance Boelter, identified by two sources to the Associated Press as the suspect in the deadly shooting of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, was appointed to a state board by Walz in 2019. Boelter had also been appointed by the previous governor in 2016, according to documents reviewed by Newsweek.
Newsweek has left a phone message for the Governor as well as emailed his press team for comment and confirmation on Saturday during non-working hours.
Why It Matters
Hortman and her husband, Mark, were pronounced dead Saturday morning after a gunman posing as law enforcement arrived at their home in the early hours and shot them. Walz called the shooting “a politically motivated assassination.”
The gunman, who remains at large, had targeted the home of another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, shortly before the attack on the Hortmans. Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot multiple times and underwent surgery.
He impersonated a police officer during both attacks, wearing official-looking gear including a vest, badge, and equipment. During a press conference on Saturday, Walz expressed his close ties to Hortman, calling her his “good friend and colleague.” The suspect’s name was not announced at the press briefing.
What To Know
Boelter, 57, was appointed by Walz in 2019 to serve in a four-year post on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, according to documents reviewed by Newsweek. He was previously appointed to a similar role in 2016 under then-Governor Mark Dayton, a Democrat.
The board, made up of leaders from business, education, labor and other sectors, advises the governor on workforce development strategies.
Tom Williams/CQ Roll Call via AP Images
Loomer, a conservative personality and supporter of President Donald Trump, acknowledged Boelter’s previous appointment by Walz, writing in an X, formerly Twitter, post, “Tim Walz’s goons are now assassinating law makers who support legislation Walz opposes.”
Paul A. Szypula, a conservative who has more than 300,000 followers on X, said “Tim Walz has a lot of explaining to do,” in a post sharing screenshots of Boelter’s work history.
In another post, he called for Walz’s resignation.
Conservative journalist Nick Sortor said in an X post, “Boelter was a TIM WALZ appointee to one of the governor’s boards. WHAT A SHOCK – he’s connected to TIM WALZ.”
This is a breaking news story. Updates to follow.