On June 16, Wisconsin Senator Tammy Baldwin was informed by law enforcement officials that Vance Boelter, the suspect in the Minnesota shooting case, had mentioned her in a document he had written. She was included in a list of Democratic politicians found in Boelter’s vehicle.
Boelter was charged on Monday with politically motivated attacks on two Minnesota state legislators and their spouses early Saturday morning.
In a statement, Baldwin’s spokesperson Eli Rosen said, “Senator Baldwin has been informed by law enforcement that she was on the list of the suspected gunman, and she appreciates law enforcement taking swift action to ensure community safety.” The statement also mentioned that Senator Baldwin will continue to focus on the most important matters at hand, honor the legacy of her Minnesota colleagues, and “pray for the other victims who are still fighting for their lives,” while condemning this “heinous and senseless act of political violence.”
Previously, Baldwin had expressed shock, fear, and heartbreak over the tragic event and emphasized that such political violence has no place in the country, calling for condemnation and prevention of such acts.
Michigan Congressman Hillary Scholten, a Democrat, also canceled a town hall meeting scheduled for Monday after learning that her name was on the list compiled by the suspect in the Minnesota shooting incident.
In a statement, Scholten said, “Nothing is more important than the safety and well-being of the people I serve, and upon learning that my name was on a list associated with the recent tragic shooting in Minnesota, my office made the difficult decision to postpone the town hall meeting in Muskegon.”
According to a report from the Detroit News on Monday, Scholten and fellow Michigan Democratic Congressman Rashida Tlaib’s names were listed in the suspect’s notebook related to the Minnesota shooting.
On Monday, the Justice Department announced plans to charge Boelter with six federal charges, including two counts of using a firearm to commit murder. Local prosecutors also indicated that they plan to bring additional murder charges against Boelter.
Minnesota Acting US Attorney Joseph Thompson stated on Monday that more than 45 names of state and federal elected officials were listed in the notebook found inside Boelter’s car. He mentioned that prosecutors are still reviewing evidence to understand why these legislators were included in Boelter’s list.