State Rep. Melissa Hortman, 55 years old, and her husband were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home. Elsewhere in Champlin, state Sen. John Hoffman, 60, and his wife were also shot at home and are recovering after undergoing surgery. Gov. Tim Walz described the shooting as “an act of targeted political violence.”
State authorities said they are looking for 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who remains at large with a manhunt underway across the Minneapolis area.
“Dr. Vance Boelter has been involved with security situations in Eastern Europe, Africa, North America and the Middle East, including the West Bank, Southern Lebanon and the Gaza Strip,” the site says. “He brings a great security aspect forged by both many on the ground experiences combined with training by both private security firms and by people in the U.S. Military.”
Another member of Praetorian’s leadership team includes a security training manager who is described as a retired undercover officer.
The company didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.
Law enforcement officials said a dark SUV with police lights was parked at Hortman’s home when they responded to the shooting, adding that a man dressed like a police officer was inside and opened fire on Brooklyn Park police officers before fleeing.
Praetorian’s website also says Boelter has worked for “the world’s largest food company based in Switzerland and the world’s largest convenience retailer based in Japan.”
It doesn’t mention Praetorian Guard or any prior military experience, but lists his current job as CEO of Red Lion Group in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
