House Dem named in Minnesota shooting list cancels town hall
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Rep. Hillary Scholten holds a town hall in Grand Rapids, Mich., on March 27. Photo: Bill Pugliano/Getty Images
Rep. Hillary Scholten (D-Mich.) said she is cancelling a town hall event scheduled for Monday evening after her name was found on the alleged target list of Minnesota shooting suspect Vance Boelter.
Why it matters: It's a sign of the growing disquiet on Capitol Hill over the shooting, in which Boelter allegedly shot two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses, killing one of the couples.
- Law enforcement have said they found a list with the names of numerous Democratic lawmakers and pro-abortion figures in Boelter's vehicle.
- In addition to Scholten, Rep. Debbie Dingell (D-Mich.) was named on the list but plans to go ahead with a town hall planned for Monday, her office told Axios.
- Rep. Mark Pocan (D-Wisc.) told Axios he was informed by the Capitol Police that his name appeared on another list found in Boelter's car. "We haven't canceled anything," he added.
What she's saying: "After being made aware that my name was on a list connected to the recent tragic shooting in Minnesota, my office has made the difficult decision to postpone our planned town hall in Muskegon," Scholten said in a statement.
- "Out of an abundance of caution and to not divert additional law enforcement resources away from protecting the broader public at this time, this is the responsible choice," she added.
- Scholten said she will "reschedule this event as soon as possible" and remains "committed to ensuring every West Michigander has the opportunity to make their voice heard."
Zoom out: Boelter is facing federal murder, stalking and firearms charges after shooting and killing Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark and wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.
- He was apprehended by law enforcement late Sunday following a complex, two-day manhunt.
- Federal prosecutors have said they found dozens of Democratic officials on the list, including Reps. Angie Craig (D-Minn.) and Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) and Sen. Tina Smith (D-Minn.).
What's next: House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) is set to host a briefing for House Democrats on Tuesday with briefers from the Capitol Police, House sergeant-at-arms' office and the House Administration Committee.
- Some Democrats are frustrated that they haven't received more information yet, with one lawmaker griping to Axios: "They don't tell us anything."
- "People are asking why Republicans were briefed [on Saturday] and Dems are not until Tuesday," another House Democrat told Axios.
