Authorities investigating the fatal shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers have located the suspect’s vehicle, as stunned community members grapple with the suspected politically motivated assassinations.
Melissa Hortman, the state’s House Speaker, and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot early Saturday morning.
State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot multiple times at their home but survived.
Police identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, who allegedly impersonated a police officer while wearing a latex mask during the attacks in suburban Minneapolis. He exchanged gunfire with law enforcement at one scene before escaping.
On Sunday, authorities announced the recovery of an unoccupied vehicle linked to Boelter in Sibley County, approximately 50 miles from the crime scenes. A mobile alert notified residents: “Suspect not located. Keep your doors locked and vehicles secured.” A cowboy hat, similar to one Boelter was reportedly wearing, was found nearby.
Police also reported that Boelter’s wife, Jenny, and three relatives were briefly detained in Onamia, over 100 miles from their home, on Saturday morning, but released without charges.
The manhunt has expanded across state lines into South Dakota, with the FBI adding Boelter to their Most Wanted list and offering a $50,000 reward.
Both targeted lawmakers were members of the Minnesota Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party. Hoffman and his wife are recovering from surgery and are expected to release a statement soon.
Recovered from a suspect vehicle was a list targeting prominent Minnesota Democratic politicians, including Governor Tim Walz, Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and Attorney General Keith Ellison.
Senator Klobuchar confirmed to NBC News that the attacks were “clearly politically motivated.”
President Trump called the incident “a terrible thing” in an interview with ABC News.
Authorities stated that Boelter used a vehicle resembling a police car, complete with flashing lights, during the attacks. He first targeted the Hoffmans around 2:00 AM Saturday, followed by the Hortmans approximately an hour and a half later, eight miles away. A shootout ensued at the Hortman residence, allowing the suspect to escape.
A social media post from a relative describes Yvette Hoffman shielding their daughter during the attack. Boelter’s resume indicates a background in security and military training.
A somber mood settled over Brooklyn Park on Sunday. Neighbors expressed shock and grief, describing the Hortmans as kind and amicable, even with those holding opposing political views. The community’s sense of security has been profoundly shaken by the event.
Residents in Sibley County, where Boelter’s car was found, also expressed disbelief and a collective desire for the swift apprehension of the suspect.
The tragic deaths of the Hortmans and the injuries sustained by the Hoffmans have been classified as targeted political violence.
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