News Round Up
June 2025 — A Month of Protests and Political Violence
There’s a lot going on in the world of physical risk and vulnerability; it’s nearly impossible to keep up with the latest news and developments. We’ll keep you informed with the best content to keep your organization safe and secure. Check out the top news and headlines from the past month.
After two-day manhunt, suspect charged with shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses
From The U.S. Department of Justice: Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, Minn., was charged with stalking and murdering Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, in addition to stalking and shooting Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. According to court documents, in the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, Boelter disguised himself as a law enforcement officer and knocked on the Hoffmans’ door. Boelter repeatedly shot both Senator and Mrs. Hoffman. He then traveled to the homes of two other Minnesota elected officials but did not make contact with either of those officials. Next, Boelter drove to the Hortmans’ home. He repeatedly shot both Mr. and Rep. Hortman. Both Hortmans died from their wounds.
Our take: This shooting is a tragedy, and it also serves as a reminder that in a highly-charged political environment, some people are willing to take extreme and violent actions. Unfortunately this is a situation that’s likely to get worse as our political climate gets more and more bipolar. This incident goes to show that elected officials, even on the state level, need to understand that they may be in danger, and should increase their security, and take more precautions to keep themselves safe.
Violence at protests seen across the nation
The last month has seen several high-profile political demonstrations across the U.S., some of which have turned violent. Below is a round-up of some of that news:
Suspect in Colorado attack on Israeli hostage advocates is hit with federal hate crime charges
From NBC News: The man suspected of using a "makeshift flamethrower" on demonstrators marching in Boulder, Colo. in support of Israeli hostages held by Hamas has been charged with 12 federal hate crimes. Mohamed Sabry Soliman, 45, of El Paso County, was previously charged with attempted first-degree murder and one hate crime count in federal court in the June 1 attack that injured eight people. The added hate crimes filed Tuesday, June 24 were expected.
Dozens arrested in Los Angeles overnight after days of violent anti-ICE protests
From Scripps News: This month, downtown Los Angeles was designated an unlawful protest zone. In mid-June, clashes between protesters and police resulted in more than two dozen arrests. National Guard troops, dispatched to California by President Donald Trump, arrived to help control the demonstrations. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass criticized the deployment of the troops, stating it exacerbated tensions in the streets. Protesters bore signs condemning actions taken by Immigration and Customs Enforcement throughout Los Angeles County.
'No Kings' protests see major crowds, violence in some states
From Newsweek: Demonstrators turned out across the U.S. on Saturday, June 14 to participate in coordinated "No Kings Day" protests, aimed at denouncing President Donald Trump's leadership. While many of the events reportedly remained largely peaceful, several cities saw violent altercations, including a vehicular assault in Virginia and a shooting in Utah.
Our take: No matter what your political views are, we can all agree that protests can get dangerous fast. This puts everyone in the area at risk — even those who aren’t involved in a demonstration. For individuals, this means being careful and aware of your surroundings at all times. For businesses in the area, this means understanding that when a protest is happening in the area, your inherent risk gets higher. It’s important to take precautions to keep your site and people safe.
June Top Security Grants
Fiscal Year 2025 Safeguarding Tomorrow through Ongoing Risk Mitigation Revolving Loan Fund Program: The objective of the Safeguarding Tomorrow RLF program is to capitalize or recapitalize entity-established revolving loan funds that will provide low-interest loans to local governments most in need of financing assistance to complete hazard mitigation projects and activities. The program aims to reduce risks from natural hazards for homeowners, businesses, nonprofit organizations, and communities in order to decrease the loss of life and property, the cost of insurance, and federal disaster payments. Grant closes: September 30
Fiscal Year 2024 Flood Mitigation Assistance Swift Current: Fiscal Year 2024 Flood Mitigation Assistance (FMA) Swift Current aims to better align the delivery of FMA flood mitigation funding to the disaster survivor experience. The purpose of FMA Swift Current is to reduce or eliminate the flood risk to NFIP-participating communities and repetitive flood damage to structures and buildings insured by the NFIP following a flood-related disaster event, and to enhance community flood resilience within NFIP-participating communities. It does so by providing funding for mitigation opportunities immediately after a flood disaster event with the aim of delivering mitigation outcomes. Grant closes: Jan 15, 2026
Systems-Based Approaches to Improve Patient Safety by Improving Healthcare Worker Safety and Well-Being: The purpose of this grant is to advance system-level approaches to improve patient safety by improving healthcare worker safety and well-being. Patient safety cannot be fully achieved without healthcare worker safety and well-being. This NOFO will contribute to AHRQs goal of reinvigorating the patient safety movement by adding fresh perspectives and insights of healthcare professionals to efforts to improve patient safety. Grant closes: 2029
What’s your organization’s inherent risk?
Are your sites safe?
Sign up for our free email course to learn more.
About the Author
