FBI hunt for suspect in lawmaker murder, senator shooting
The state of Minnesota is reeling from a horrific act of political violence that has left a state representative and her husband dead, and a state senator and his wife wounded.
The attacks, which occurred Saturday morning, have been described by Governor Tim Walz as a “politically motivated assassination.
The victims of the attacks were Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were killed in their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota.
State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and wounded in their home in Champlin, Minnesota, approximately five miles away.
“We’re here today because an unspeakable tragedy has unfolded in Minnesota,” Governor Walz said. “My good friend and colleague, Speaker Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed early this morning in what appears to be a politically motivated assassination. Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends.”
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Hennepin County Medical Examiner’s Office confirmed that the Hortmans died from multiple gunshot wounds. Senator Hoffman is reported to be out of surgery and in stable condition, while his wife’s condition is unclear.
At a press conference on Saturday, Brooklyn Park’s police chief, Mark Bruley, said the assailant “drive a vehicle that looked exactly like an SUV squad car. It was equipped with lights, emergency lights, that looked exactly like a police vehicle, and yes, they were wearing a vest with taser, other equipment, a badge very similar to mine, that, no question, if they were in this room, you would assume that they are a police officer.”
The suspect in the shootings has been identified as Vance Luther Boelter, age 57. Boelter is described as a white male, 6’1″ tall, weighing approximately 220 pounds, with brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen wearing a light-colored cowboy hat and a dark-colored, long-sleeve collared shirt or coat.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to Boelter’s arrest and conviction.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) is leading the investigation, with assistance from the FBI and other law enforcement agencies. Authorities have launched a massive manhunt for Boelter, who is considered armed and dangerous. A “manifesto” containing a list of potential targets, including lawmakers and individuals associated with reproductive rights, was found in Boelter’s vehicle. The attacks are being treated as acts of targeted political violence.
The shootings have sent shockwaves through the political landscape, with leaders from both parties condemning the violence.
President Trump also released a statement condemning the violence and stating that the perpetrators would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, a survivor of a past shooting, stated that “An attack against lawmakers is an attack on American democracy itself.”
