Officials at Christ For The Nations in Dallas confirmed that Vance Boelter attended the school.
DALLAS — The man accused of shooting and killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband attended a North Texas school.
Christ For The Nations Institute, an interdenominational Bible college in southern Dallas, confirmed Monday that Vance Boelter, 57, attended the school between 1988 and 1990, graduating with a degree in Practical Theology in Leadership and Pastoral.
“We are absolutely aghast and horrified that a CFNI alumnus is the suspect,” school officials wrote in a press release. “This is not who we are. This is not what we teach. This is not what we model. We have been training Christian servant leaders for 55 years, and they have been agents of good, not evil. CFNI unequivocally rejects, denounces, and condemns any and all forms of violence and extremism, be it politically, racially, religiously, or otherwise motivated.”
To read CFNI’s full statement, click here.
Boelter allegedly shot and killed Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their home. Officials also accuse Boelter of shooting Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home.
Authorities arrested Boelter Sunday night after what is being described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota state history. He is charged with two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder for both shootings. His bail was set at $5 million for his state charges, but he is being held without bail for his federal charges of murder and stalking.
Prosecutors say Boelter was targeting two other legislators on the night of the attacks. Investigators “located at least three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm handgun, as well as a list of names and addresses of other public officials,” a criminal complaint read. “Officers canvassed the surrounding area and located a ballistic vest, a disassembled 9mm firearm, a mask, and a gold police-style badge.”
Writings recovered from the fake police vehicle used in the incidents included the names of targets, which consisted of Democrats and abortion rights advocates. Friends of Boelter say he held deeply religious beliefs and conservative views.
The AP reported Boelter obtained a master’s and doctorate in leadership studies in 2016 from Cardinal Stritch University, a now-defunct private Catholic college in Wisconsin.
While investigators continue to look into Boelter’s past, Governor Greg Abbott said Monday that police are tightening their grip on the present.
While in Denton Monday to sign several pieces of legislation, Governor Greg Abbott addressed the recent assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman, calling it a reminder of the growing threats faced by public officials. Abbott said DPS is on heightened alert and pledged increased efforts to prevent “deranged attacks” on lawmakers and the public.
On Saturday, the State Capitol grounds in Austin were evacuated after police received tips about a man making his way there to protest and potentially harm lawmakers.
He was arrested near La Grange before he made it there.
“We need to make sure what happened in Minnesota doesn’t happen in the State of Texas. DPS is on heightened alert,” Governor Abbott said. “They will work to ensure that members of the legislature and, candidly, anyone in the public will be free from some deranged attack like that.”
Over 40 Democratic state lawmakers sent a letter to Abbott over the weekend about DPS keeping a sharper eye on potential threats.
U.S. Congresswoman Veronica Escobar from El Paso and U.S. Congressman Joaquin Castro from San Antonio, both Democrats, revealed on social media Monday that they were on a hitlist compiled by Boelter.
State Sen. Royce West from Dallas, the only Democrat attending Abbott’s event in Denton, said the following to WFAA: “Given the vitriol going on in this country that comes from the top–we have to make sure there are no copycats. We have to be on guard more so now than we have in the past.”