Illinois Rep. Nikki Budzinski named in Minnesota murder suspect’s notes, she says

ILLINOIS – Nikki Budzinski, an Illinois Congresswoman who represents St. Louis’ Metro East region, says her name was included in the notes of a Minnesota murder suspect accused of killing a state lawmaker and her husband last weekend.

The suspect, identified as Vance Boelter, was arrested Sunday. He is accused of fatally shooting former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband in their home early Saturday morning.

Budzinski, who serves Illinois’ 13th Congressional District, says she was informed by U.S. Capitol Police that her name appeared in the suspect’s notes.

According to the Associated Press, Boelter’s list included at least 45 state and federal officials across several states, including Minnesota, Ohio and Wisconsin. All of the politicians named in his writing were Democrats, per the Associated Press.

Budzisnki offered the following remarks in an announcement via social media platform X:

“I want to again send my condolences to the family of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. I will continue to keep them as well as State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in my prayers. My deepest sympathies go out to their families, friends, and the entire Minnesota community.

As I’ve said before, there is absolutely no place in this country for political violence. We must be a nation that values civility and mutual respect – always.”

Previous Associated Press coverage

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The man charged with killing one Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another in what prosecutors have described as a meticulously planned attack, had dozens of apparent targets, including officials in at least three other states.

Vance Boelter allegedly made it to the homes of two other legislators on the night of the attacks, but one was on vacation and the suspect left the other house after police arrived, acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said Monday.

All of the politicians named in his writing were Democrats, including more than 45 state and federal officials in Minnesota, Thompson said. Elected leaders in Michigan, Ohio and Wisconsin said they, too, were mentioned in his writings.

Investigators say Boelter appeared to spend months preparing for the shootings — the latest in a string of political attacks across the U.S.

In Minnesota, Boelter carried out surveillance missions, took notes on the homes and people he targeted, and disguised himself as a police officer just before the shootings, Thompson said.

“It is no exaggeration to say that his crimes are the stuff of nightmares,” he said.

Boelter surrendered to police Sunday night after they found him in the woods near his home after a massive two-day search. He is accused of fatally shooting former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home early Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.

Authorities say he also shot and wounded Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, who lived a few miles away.