A nearly 48-hour manhunt in Minnesota ended on Sunday when law enforcement officials took into custody 57-year-old Vance Boelter, the suspect who is accused of carrying out a politically-motivated spree shooting attack that killed a well-known Minnesota Democratic state legislator and her husband, and critically injured another state senator and his wife.
Boelter, who was allegedly impersonating an officer, was arrested without incident after authorities spotted his vehicle parked along a highway in Sibley County on Sunday morning. On the vehicle, officers discovered incriminating evidence, such as notes with names of other Democratic leaders and abortion rights activists — further supporting the theory that the attacks were ideologically driven and premeditated.
Boelter is accused of killing Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, 54, and her husband Mark in their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday morning. He was later alleged to have gone to the home of State Senator John Hoffman and wife Yvette in the area and shot them multiple times.
Sen. Hoffman, who was shot nine times, and his wife, who was shot eight times, both underwent emergency surgeries and are listed in stable condition. They “Senator Hoffman has come out of his final surgery and is recovering,” Governor Tim Walz confirmed at a Sunday evening press briefing.
“This was a politically motivated assassination,” Walz stated. “One man’s unconscionable actions have altered the state of Minnesota. This is not the new normal. We cannot settle political differences at gunpoint.”
The Hennepin County criminal complaint, made public on Sunday, describes how Boelter wore a fake law enforcement costume and mask and piloted a Ford sport utility vehicle with police-type lights to gain access to the lawmakers’ homes. A menacing photo released by the FBI shows Boelter wearing tactical attire and costume mask in front of the Hortmans’ doorstep.
Boelter is also facing four felonies — two second-degree murder counts and two second-degree attempted murder counts. According to Minnesota state law, three of the counts have a maximum sentence of 40 years in prison.
Public records and internet postings show that Boelter was tied to evangelical ministries and claimed experience as a private security expert operating in hotspots like the Gaza Strip and parts of Africa. Authorities are now investigating whether any extremist ties could have been involved with his activities.
A former roommate and friend told police Boelter had spent the night before the shootings at their Minneapolis rental home, and texted him a cryptic message the day after the attack.
With the state yet to get over the shock of the record political violence, flags throughout Minnesota have been lowered to half-mast in honour of Speaker Hortman and her husband. Tributes have poured in from across the political spectrum, with colleagues in the legislature remembering Hortman as a serious public official and a trailblazer for women in politics.
The FBI, which assisted in the massive manhunt with state and local officials, has not ruled out additional charges or co-conspirators.
“This is not a random assault on persons,” Walz stated, “but an assault on our democracy. And Minnesota will stand united against it.”
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