Thousands attend "No Kings" rally at Minnesota Capitol in wake of targeted shootings
Despite warnings from officials urging people not to attend the "No Kings" rally in St. Paul on Saturday due to safety concerns tied to the targeted political shootings of two state lawmakers, thousands made their way to the Minnesota State Capitol to protest the Trump administration and recent ICE raids.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband were killed inside their Brooklyn Park home, while state Sen. John Hoffman, 60, and his wife were shot about 5 miles away in their Champlin home. The Hoffmans survived and are still hospitalized.
Law enforcement officials have identified a suspect in the shootings as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, of Minnesota, who works for a security firm. The Federal Bureau of Investigation is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Sources say there were fliers connected to the protests found inside Boelter's vehicle. A WCCO crew saw a vehicle with white and yellow lights on top of it, and with a license plate that said "police," being towed away from the Hortmans' home.
The sources added that there was an extensive list of possible targets among writings found inside the vehicle. More than 50 individuals were listed, including officials beyond Minnesota, abortion rights advocates and abortion facilities.
A manhunt is underway, as officials believe Boelter is attempting to leave the Twin Cities area. Parts of the northwest metro area were under a shelter-in-place order until mid-afternoon.
"We don't have any direct links, however there were some fliers that said 'No Kings' within the suspect vehicle, and as we know the planned, the events planned throughout the state of Minnesota is a No Kings event," Minnesota State Patrol Col. Christina Bogojevic said.
Capitol event organizers, who originally expected a turnout of 10,000 people, released this statement early Saturday afternoon:
"Out of an abundance of caution and in adherence to guidance from Governor Walz and the Minnesota State Patrol, all remaining No Kings events in Minnesota are being canceled immediately. This decision comes in light of the ongoing shelter-in-place order and the tragic shooting that targeted two elected officials and their spouses. We are doing this in accordance with local and state guidance given the suspect is still at large impersonating a police officer.
Our hearts are with the victims, their families, and the communities shaken by this violence. We are in close contact with our hosts, attendees, and state and local officials and remain committed to ensuring all other events around the country proceed peacefully and safely."
Thousands gathered in downtown St. Paul for the march, but the crowd mostly dispersed outside the Capitol as of 2:45 p.m.
Several attendees told WCCO crews that they felt it was even more important to attend the rally, saying they didn't want fear to win.
"It's great to see all these people here and realize we're not the small number that it feels like sometimes, so I feel emotional about that," said Keith Knepper, who attended the protest. "It's a very positive thing, but what a horrible day."
The "No Kings" protests are in response to "the increasing authoritarian excesses and corruption of the Trump administration," according to the organizers.
The St. Paul event was one of hundreds of planned protests across the country on Saturday to coincide with President Trump's 79th birthday and the planned military parade in Washington D.C., celebrating the U.S. Army's 250th anniversary.
