Feds Reveal Haunting Texts Minnesota Lawmakers Shooting Suspect Allegedly Sent to His Family

As investigators reveal more about the shooting suspect accused of fatally shooting a state lawmaker and her husband, and wounding another lawmaker and his wife, authorities revealed some of the cryptic text messages the alleged shooter sent members of his family while on the run.

“Dad went to war last night … I don’t wanna say more because I don’t want to implicate anybody,” the suspect, Vance Boelter, texted his family, ABC News reported, citing a police affidavit.

ABC News reported that Boelter, 57, then also texted his wife: “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.”

Boelter, 57, was taken into custody late Sunday night after a two-day, statewide manhunt. He made his first court appearance on Monday, where his bond was set at $5 million, according to CNN and The Minnesota Star Tribune. He is due back in court on June 27, the outlets reported.

The suspect is accused of fatally shooting Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home. He also shot Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home — but they survived the attack.

Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said at a news conference Monday that authorities believe Boelter showed up at four different lawmakers’ homes in total on Saturday.

Minnesota State Sen. Ann Rest said in a statement on Monday that the suspect was parked outside of her home at one point Saturday.

“I have been made aware that the shooting suspect was parked near my home early Saturday morning,” Rest said. “I am so grateful for the heroic work of the New Hope Police Department and its officers. Their quick action saved my life.”

Boelter allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer and went to the lawmakers’ homes in an act that was described as as a “politically motivated assassination” by Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, PEOPLE previously reported.

Police exchanged gunfire with the suspect after encountering him at Hortman’s house following the shooting of Hoffman, but he fled. Boelter was later arrested on Sunday after authorities received information that he was seen in the area, Waltz and other law enforcement officials confirmed in a press conference. 

“The suspect crawled to law enforcement teams and was placed under arrest at that point in time,” Jeremy Geiger, the lieutenant of the Minnesota State Patrol said. “There was no use of force.”

Drew Evans, the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said that the suspect was “armed” at the time of his arrest, which took place in a field.

Related Stories

Suspect Vance Boelter Caught, Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings

John Hoffman’s Wife ‘Threw Herself in Front’ of Their Daughter to Protect Her in ‘Politically Motivated Assassination,’ Family Says

Before his arrest, police revealed that they had discovered a “manifesto” featuring a “list of names” inside a vehicle that they believe the suspect had been driving. They also stated that the vehicle “looked exactly like an SUV squad car,” equipped with emergency lights that made it look “exactly like a police vehicle.”

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“We are confident that the violence that he committed and the murders he committed, and the attempted murders, that he conducted that activity alone,” Evans added at the press conference. “We will be exploring if there are any broader network. We have not encountered that at this time.”