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Video reveals suspected Minnesota lawmaker assassin Vance Boelter speaking at Congo church seminar
Boelter gave an emotionally charged testimony as the keynote speaker at a 2021 seminar in Congo. There is a translator speaking over the video. (Credit: LaBorne Matadi church in the Congo YouTube Channel from Sept. 25. 2021)
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Video footage has surfaced showing Vance Boelter, the suspected Minnesota lawmaker assassin, delivering a speech at a church in Africa, years before the deadly attacks.
“And when I get excited, I wanna dance,” Boelter shouted while jumping up and down. “And what Jesus did for me.”
“He saved my life!” Boelter exclaimed. “WOOO, I’m excited about God! And I wanna worship him!”
Video shows Boelter continuing to jump up and down, shouting and praising God as he shared his message.
FAKE COP SUSPECTED IN LAWMAKER ASSASSINATION HAD EXTENSIVE SECURITY TRAINING BEFORE ‘TARGETED’ ATTACK
Authorities released a surveillance photo showing a masked suspect wearing police-like tactical gear and carrying a flashlight as officials raced to find Vance Boelter, the suspected gunman in the shooting of two Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota on Saturday, June 14, 2025. (Minnesota Department of Public Safety)
“Cause he’s (Jesus) coming again, and he’s got plans, he’s got purposes for each one of you and for me.”
The August 2021 clip is from a missionary conference in which Boelter shared an enthusiastic message with a congregation at the LaBorne Matadi church in the Congo.
The Global Impact Center, who partnered with the church, shared a statement with Fox News Digital and said their mission is to “engage in community development programs” and acknowledged that Boelter had spoken at a past seminar, but told Fox News Digital he was not affiliated with their organization.
“To fulfill this mission, we collaborate with church organizations and individual volunteers. It is within this context that Mr. Vance Boelter has, on occasion, appeared in some of our meetings and ministry platforms, as seen in various media,” the organization shared in a statement.
“However, we want to clearly state that Mr. Boelter is neither a member of Global Impact Center’s leadership team nor affiliated with any of our local or international church partners,” the statement continued. “We want to clarify that Mr. Boelter has never resided in the Democratic Republic of Congo for any period of time equaling or exceeding two months.”
Minnesota lawmaker shooting suspect Vance Boelter gave an emotionally charged testimony as the keynote speaker at a 2021 seminar in Congo. There is a translator speaking over the video. (LaBorne Matadi church in the Congo YouTube Channel from Sept. 25. 2021)
The organization added that they were “deeply saddened by the recent developments and the serious allegations involving Mr. Boelter.”
“These allegations run contrary to the Gospel of Jesus Christ and undermine the integrity of the church’s calling and mission,” the statement read. “Our hearts are heavy, and we extend our prayers to all the victims and their families. We also lift up Mr. Boelter and his family in prayer during this deeply difficult time.”
The church also shared a statement, echoing the Global Impact Center, saying that the organization “regularly organizes conferences involving American missionaries,” but that “not all individual members are personally known to the church.”
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“It was within this collaborative context that Mr. Vance Luther Boelter was received solely as a participant in a missionary team working alongside Global Impact Center,” the statement read.
“We wish to state clearly and unequivocally that Mr. Vance Boelter has never resided in Matadi, nor has he ever served as a missionary pastor, or official representative of the Centre Évangélique Francophone La Borne Matadi, contrary to certain claims being circulated,”
Minnesota suspect Vance Luther Boelter visited legislators’ homes while disguised as law enforcement, with one potential victim saved by being on vacation. (Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office; Stephen Maturen/Getty Images)
Boelter is also reportedly the CEO of Red Lion Group, based in the DRC, according to his LinkedIn page.
The 57-year-old was captured in Sibley County, Minnesota, after a two-day manhunt. He is charged in the June 14 shooting deaths of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their Brooklyn Park home in Minneapolis. He also allegedly shot state Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, in their nearby Champlin home in a related attack.
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A mugshot of Minnesota lawmaker shooting suspect Vance Boelter in custody at Hennepin County Jail. (Hennepin County Jail)
Authorities have said the suspect targeted lawmakers in a planned attack, showing up at their homes wearing a police-like uniform and a mask.
“Boelter exploited the trust our uniforms are meant to represent,” Minnesota Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said during a news conference. “That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility. We want to thank community members across the state for their support, for their tips and their information.”
MAU added that they were “devastated” to learn the news of the “tragic incident.”
“We are devastated by the tragic and senseless act of violence that claimed the life of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband and left State Senator John Hoffman and his spouse critically injured,” the statement read. “Our thoughts and heartfelt condolences go out to the families affected by this unimaginable loss. We are keeping Senator Hoffman and his wife in our prayers and wish them a full and swift recovery.”
Boelter was charged in Hennepin County with four felony counts of second-degree murder with intent (not premeditated).
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The complaint charges Boelter with two counts of second-degree murder for the deaths of Victims 1 and 2 — identified as Melissa and Mark Hortman — and two counts of attempted second-degree murder for the shootings of Victims 3 and 4 — identified as John and Yvette Hoffman. All charges are felonies, and each carries a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison, with a mandatory minimum of three years due to the use of a firearm.
Editor’s Note: [6/25/2025 5:45 p.m.] This article has been updated to remove references to Global Minnesota and Minnesota Africans United’s connection to the event depicted in the video. The groups have no affiliation with the event featured in the video clip and have no connection with Mr. Boelter’s sermons in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Mr. Boelter did participate in a completely unrelated virtual panel discussion in August 2022 on investment opportunities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo that Global Minnesota and other local nonprofits, including Minnesota Africans United, worked on. According to Minnesota Africans United, Mr. Boelter’s involvement was facilitated by a third-party recommendation. Mr. Boelter was never hired, paid, or contracted by Minnesota Africans United. He has never served in any official capacity, and they have had no contact with him since that one-time appearance.
Fox News’ Audrey Conklin, Peter D’Abrosca and Sarah Rumpf-Whitten contributed to this report.
Stepheny Price is a writer for Fox News Digital and Fox Business. She covers topics including missing persons, homicides, national crime cases, illegal immigration, and more. Story tips and ideas can be sent to [email protected]