Republican senator shamed for sharing terrifying image of suspected Minnesota assassin

Utah Republican Mike Lee has come under fire for labelling the suspected Minnesota 'assassin' as a 'Marxist', while sharing a chilling image of the masked perpetrator. He posted: "This is what happens... When Marxists don't get their way," alongside a photo of alleged killer Vance Boelter, 57, dressed in a white vinyl mask and imitation police uniform knocking on the door of a Minnesota senator.

Boelter stands accused of murdering Democratic politician Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, as well as injuring Dem. Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in what authorities believe was a premeditated attack with political motivations - though the motive remains undisclosed.

Journalist Aaron Rupar retweeted the post with the comment, "This is an egregiously shameful tweet from a US senator."

Community notes on the post swiftly corrected the poster. "There is no evidence Vance Boelter is a Marxist. The majority of evidence regarding his political beliefs points to him being an evangelical Christian conservative, and all of the names on his hit list are Democratic politicians and abortion rights activists," stated the fact-check feature.

Police promptly discovered a list of names and a 'manifesto' in Boelter's confiscated SUV, which was made to look like a police vehicle. The list contained approximately 70 names that included Democratic lawmakers, including Ilhan Omar, and abortion centres, reports the Mirror US.

All the Wisconsin legislators named were Democrats, eight women and three men, a source informed the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel.

The vehicle also held a pile of 'No Kings' protest leaflets, which were subsequently banned in Minneapolis by the police due to the ongoing manhunt and potential threat. However, a photograph of these flyers made its way around right-wing X accounts, and given that Boelter had previously worked as a Walz appointee, many labelled him as 'liberal.

Contrary to earlier police reports, investigations by CNN and the Washington Post revealed that Boelter was in fact a Trump supporter who had criticised Biden and Governor Walz - although his friends claim he seldom discussed his other beliefs.

Insights from his closest friend, David Carlson, and his pastor indicate that Boelter was a born-again Christian who frequently journeyed to Africa for missionary work. On LinkedIn, Boelter identifies himself as the CEO of the Red Lion Group, headquartered in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Daily Mail also uncovered footage of Boelter delivering an anti-LGBTQ+ sermon in 2023.

Minnesota's Governor Tim Walz has described the murder as a 'politically motivated assassination. '.

Boelter remains the subject of an active manhunt. The FBI is offering a reward of $50,000 for information leading to his capture.

Police describe Boelter as approximately six foot one, weighing 220 pounds with grey hair. He is considered armed and dangerous.

The public is advised not to approach him and to contact the authorities instead.

Police in Sibley County have escalated their search efforts following a key update, alerting residents to the potential proximity of the wanted suspect. Investigations led to the discovery of the man's vehicle and his distinctive cowboy hat which featured in CCTV footage, as reported by KARE 11.

On the day U.S. President Donald Trump's modestly attended birthday military parade took place, he made no public offers of condolence but assured the public that justice for Boelter would be served. This morning, during an exchange with an ABC News journalist, Trump criticised Governor Walz, declaring him "a terrible governor. I think he's a grossly incompetent person. But I may call him, I may call other people too."