MN Terrorist Vance Boelter Arrested

He's charged with 4 counts of second degree murder...so far

BREAKING: Last night authorities caught and arrested Vance Boelter in Green Isle, MN. Boelter is the terrorist accused of murdering both MN State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding both MN State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Despite being armed and dangerous, Boelter was arrested alive and unharmed. He now faces four counts of second-degree murder.

Let’s be very clear: Vance Boelter is a fascist right-wing extremist who spewed anti-Muslim hatred, admired InfoWars, voted for Donald Trump, and kept a literal kill list of at least 60 people targeting Democratic lawmakers and abortion care providers. By every legal and moral definition, he is a domestic terrorist. And yet, after committing this gruesome, politically motivated mass shooting—he was arrested without incident. No knee on the neck. No seven bullets in the back. No fear for officer safety. No “he matched the description.” Just a calm, controlled, peaceful arrest.

As Paul Mooney reminds us, it must be nice to have the complexion for protection. Let’s Address This.

Accused mass murderer Vance Boelter was caught and arrested last night.

When the Law Protects Some but Endangers Others

I want to be absolutely clear: I don’t want police to kill guilty people either. I want due process for everyone—because that’s what a functioning democracy demands. I do find it deeply troubling, enraging even, that police seem to always summon superhuman restraint when the suspect is white, armed, and deadly, but seem to forget it for Black people. Where was that restraint for Philando Castile? For George Floyd? For Breonna Taylor?

Boelter is a mass murderer. He assassinated elected officials. He had a hit list targeting Democratic lawmakers, reproductive justice providers, and even Governor Tim Walz and Congresswoman Ilhan Omar. His own best friend confirmed he is a far-right extremist who would be “deeply offended” if called a Democrat. Boelter consumed hours of InfoWars conspiracy theories and proudly voted for Donald Trump. He traveled as a mercenary to Gaza and Africa. He wasn’t a lone wolf—he was a product of violent propaganda and a culture of impunity for white supremacist violence. Yet he enjoys the benefit of being calmly arrested, alive and unharmed, while innocent Black children like Tamir Rice and Aiyana Jones are killed by police under false pretenses.

So Why Was He Charged With Second-Degree Murder?

I’ve already received this question from dozens of people. As of now, Boelter is facing four charges of second-degree murder—two for the killings, and two for the injuries. In Minnesota, first-degree murder requires an indictment by a grand jury and proof of premeditation. Second-degree murder, on the other hand, can be charged more immediately and does not require proving premeditation, only intent. Prosecutors likely wanted to move quickly to get the warrant, make the arrest, and ensure Boelter was in custody before he could harm anyone else. I believe they absolutely did the right thing to ensure they can get this murderer off the streets as quickly as possible. Indeed, the charges against him can, and likely will, still be amended.

And let’s not ignore the fact that these are state charges. Trump cannot pardon Boelter. Yes, we’re in such a dangerous place in our democracy that we have to point that out—but here we are.

Call It What It Is: Terrorism

Moreover, in a just world, Boelter should face terrorism charges.The FBI defines terrorism as “the unlawful use of violence against persons to intimidate or coerce a government or population for political objectives.” Vance Boelter meets every aspect of that definition. Yet, will he be charged with terrorism? I won’t hold my breath. Compare his case to Luigi Mangione—an alleged killer currently facing terrorism charges for supposedly targeting a corrupt health insurance CEO. If Mangione fits the bill, then Boelter absolutely does.

A little reported fact is that Boelter and his wife Jenny have a private security firm with a history of serving as a mercenary in Gaza and parts of Africa. This isn’t an irrelevant footnote—it’s an urgent wake-up call. When we ignore injustice abroad, it always finds its way home. U.S. militarism, white supremacist violence, Islamophobia, and authoritarianism are not isolated issues. They are all interwoven strands of the same toxic ideology. It is also unclear what role, if any, Jenny Boelter played in this mass murder? She was just stopped by law enforcement with a car full of cash, firearms, and passports. She is not currently detained. Contrast this lenience with the cruelty of ICE raiding, arresting, and deporting US citizens of Latino backgrounds, and you began to understand the meaning of having the complexion for protection.

Jenny Boelter

Boelter’s case is a sobering reminder that the DHS, FBI, and hundreds of police departments warn that white supremacist violence is the greatest domestic terror threat in the United States. This fact makes it that much more critical that Boelter and any accomplices he may have face meaningful accountability and terrorism charges.

Final Thoughts

I’m grateful Boelter was arrested before he could harm anyone else. But no arrest can bring back Rep. Hortman or her husband. No court ruling can undo the trauma Sen. Hoffman and his wife now carry. What we can do is fight like hell to make sure this never happens again. That means naming the violence, refusing to normalize it, and holding our institutions accountable.

It means rejecting the idea that white killers deserve peace while Black and brown people must beg for breath. It means standing for justice—even when it’s inconvenient, uncomfortable, or unpopular.

As this case develops I will continue to provide updates grounded in facts and receipts. Join our efforts. Subscribe. And let us continue speaking truth to power.