Minnesota authorities are searching for Vance Luther Boelter, 57, accused of a politically motivated shooting that killed two lawmakers and injured two others. A former appointee of Governor Tim Walz,

A Springdale pastor is one of a few people claiming they worked with Boelter in Fort Smith around 20 years ago.

In a political assassination, 57-year-old Vance Boelter shot two leading Minnesota Democrats and their spouses—one couple was killed—early Saturday morning. Boelter is a Christian fascist and Trump supporter.

Gov. Mark Dayton, a Democrat, appointed Boelter as a private-sector representative to the nonpartisan Governor’s Workforce Development Council in 2016. Gov. Tim Walz, also a DFLer, reappointed Boelter for another four years in 2019; Boelter lived in Inver Grove Heights at the time. His term expired in 2023.

Vance Boelter, the subject of a nationwide manhunt, described himself as an experienced security professional who worked in conflict zones. A friend said at least part of that account is "fantasy."