Federal prosecutors have revealed chilling text messages sent by alleged Minnesota assassin Vance Boelter to his family members just hours after his deadly shooting rampage that left two dead and two wounded.
The disturbing communications provide a glimpse into the mindset of a man who authorities say carried out a premeditated attack on political figures in their own homes.
The 57-year-old suspect sent the disturbing message to his wife and other relatives in a group text thread around 6:15 a.m. Saturday morning.
This is according to a federal criminal complaint filed in court.
“Dad went to war last night … I don’t wanna say more because I don’t wanna implicate anybody,” Boelter allegedly wrote to his family members.
The message came just hours after Boelter had carried out a calculated attack targeting Minnesota political figures at their homes during the early morning hours of Saturday, June 15th.
The timing of the text messages suggests Boelter was attempting to communicate with his family while evading law enforcement in the immediate aftermath of the shootings.
Federal authorities describe the attack as a methodical assault on the democratic process, with Boelter specifically targeting elected officials and their spouses in what prosecutors characterize as an act of domestic terrorism.
In addition to the “war” message, Boelter sent an apologetic text to his wife around the same time, warning her of potential danger.
“Words are not gonna explain how sorry I am for this situation … there’s gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy and I don’t want you guys around,” he wrote, according to court documents.
The deadly spree claimed the lives of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, while also wounding state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.
The attacks sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s political establishment and raised serious questions about the security of elected officials in their private residences.
Hortman had served multiple terms in the state legislature and was a prominent figure in Minnesota Democratic politics.
Her death represents a significant loss to the political community and has prompted discussions about increased security measures for state legislators.
Authorities discovered evidence suggesting the family may have been preparing to flee the state or country.
The New York Post reported that when law enforcement searched Jenny Boelter’s vehicle during their manhunt, they found $10,000 in cash and passports for her and at least some of the couple’s children.
The discovery raises questions about whether Jenny Boelter had advance knowledge of her husband’s plans or was simply reacting to the unfolding crisis.
The children were reportedly in the car with their mother at the time of the traffic stop, creating a tense situation for law enforcement officers.
Boelter has previously stated that he and his wife have five children together, according to reports from the New York Times.
Federal and state prosecutors have now filed charges against Boelter that could result in the death penalty for his alleged crimes.
Court documents reveal that Boelter had meticulously planned his attack, with handwritten notebooks containing detailed information about numerous politicians he had been tracking.
The notebooks paint a picture of a man who had been conducting surveillance and research on his targets for an extended period before carrying out his deadly plan.
Investigators found extensive notes and observations that demonstrate the premeditated nature of the attacks.
