Utah Senator Mike Lee is facing bipartisan backlash after labeling Vance Boelter — the suspect in the targeted killing of one Minnesota lawmaker and the attempted assassination of another — a “Marxist” in a social media post.
Boelter, 57, was captured Sunday night in a wooded area near his home in Green Isle, Minnesota, following a two-day manhunt. He was arrested without incident.
He stands accused of fatally shooting State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and of seriously wounding State Senator John Hoffman and Hoffman’s wife, Yvette. Senator Hoffman was shot nine times, and Yvette eight. Despite the severity of their injuries, both underwent emergency surgery and are currently recovering.
Yvette’s quick actions during the attack — including shielding their daughter from gunfire — were credited with saving their lives.
Both lawmakers targeted by Boelter were prominent Minnesota Democrats and advocates for abortion rights legislation.
The deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman have left their two children orphaned, compounding the tragedy.
According to investigators, Boelter posed as a police officer during the attacks. He wore a uniform and drove a vehicle outfitted with police-style lights to gain access to the victims.
He now faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Each charge carries a maximum penalty of 40 years in prison.
Authorities also uncovered a list in Boelter’s possession naming roughly 70 individuals, many of them public figures and abortion rights advocates.
Boelter was described by his roommate as an avid InfoWars listener. Authorities have found no evidence connecting him to Marxist ideology.
As Newsweek reports:
Lee also shared another post of Boelter with the caption: “Nightmare on Waltz Street.”
According to a criminal complaint, police responded to a shooting at a home in Champlin, Minnesota, at around 2:05 a.m. local time Saturday. A 911 caller reported that a masked individual had approached their home and opened fire.
Authorities say a masked Boelter posed as police officer as he shot the Hoffmans.
The Brooklyn Park Police Department, having learned of the Champlin shooting, proactively dispatched officers to the home of lawmaker Hortman. At around 3:35 a.m, they witnessed Boelter shoot Mark Hortman through a doorway.
Boelter fled after exchanging gunfire with officers, ultimately abandoning his vehicle about an hour’s drive from the scene of the shootings. Inside, police discovered a target list naming prominent Democratic officials, abortion providers, and other community leaders.
Lee’s office has not responded to Newsweek’s request for clarification.
Lawmakers from both parties condemned the violence and called for a more measured public response. Some also warned against politicizing the tragedy before all facts are known.
The incident has triggered new discussions about the role of rhetoric in public life — and renewed scrutiny over how threats against elected officials are handled.
Security has been tightened for lawmakers in Minnesota and elsewhere. National security officials are monitoring the situation for signs of copycat threats.
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We can’t call people who follow Marxism (or Communism) a Marxist? It seems to me that this bird is following the “Manifesto” pretty closely. Is the radical left-wing in this country trying to isolate the term into the “M” word so that they won’t be referred to as (Marxists). Even to date in this country, people are scared to death of being referred to as a “Marxist” or “Communist” As soon as they are recognized as being a “legitimate” entity in this country, it does not bode well for the portion of the Democrat Party that ARE Marxists but manage to remain under a cover of denial. If it looks like a Marxist, acts like a Marxist, and talks like a Marxist…it is a Marxist (sort of like the wolf in sheep’s clothing).