Man Accused of Multiple Minnesota Attacks Wrote Threatening Letters and Claimed to Be Ordered by a State Official

A 57-year-old man accused of carrying out violent attacks across Minnesota reportedly sent a disturbing, incoherent letter to the FBI. In it, he claimed that Governor Tim Walz directed him to kill Senator Amy Klobuchar as part of a conspiracy to replace her in the Senate. The letter, which lasted about a page and a half, was described as muddled and rambling by sources familiar with its contents.

The suspect, Vance Boetler, was arrested on June 15 after a extensive manhunt. Authorities found him in a wooded area of Sibley County, guided by a tip from a local resident who spotted him via trail camera. During a confrontation at the home of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, Boetler fled, leaving behind a manifesto listing 70 politicians he intended to kill, including the governor who had previously appointed him to a state board.

Boetler is accused of a series of violent acts: he allegedly killed Hortman and her husband, and shot at state senator John Hoffman and his wife. On the morning of June 14, he wore a latex mask and police-style uniform during the attacks, which appeared to be targeted. Authorities confirmed that he was armed and dangerous, and a large-scale hunt ensued.

Following the incident, neither Governor Walz nor Senator Klobuchar responded directly to the allegations in the letter. However, both issued statements of gratitude for law enforcement’s swift actions. Walz thanked officers for arresting the suspect, while Klobuchar expressed relief that Boetler was detained before he could harm others.

Boetler now faces federal murder and stalking charges, along with state charges. If convicted, he could face the death penalty.