A large-scale manhunt for a suspect who allegedly posed as a police officer and fatally shot a Democratic state lawmaker in Minnesota has entered its second day, with the state’s governor describing it as “a politically motivated assassination”.
The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, is also accused of shooting and wounding a second Democratic lawmaker and his wife, according to law enforcement officials and the FBI.
The manhunt began after Boelter allegedly killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at their home in Brooklyn Park, a Minneapolis suburb, early Saturday morning. Boelter is also accused of shooting and wounding Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home approximately 15km away in nearby Champlin.
After firing at police at Hortman’s residence, the suspect abandoned a vehicle resembling a police SUV and fled on foot, authorities reported. Officers discovered a “manifesto” and a target list containing other politicians and institutions inside the abandoned vehicle.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans stated that Boelter should be considered armed and dangerous and is believed to remain in the Minneapolis-St Paul area. Evans noted it was premature to determine a specific motive. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Boelter, a former political appointee, previously served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, though their relationship remains unclear. His online resume describes him as a security contractor with Middle East and Africa experience and past managerial positions at Minnesota companies.
A Minnesota official, speaking anonymously to The Associated Press, indicated that Boelter’s writings targeted prominent lawmakers who have advocated for abortion rights.
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, Boelter sent text messages to friends hours after the shootings, saying he had “made some choices” and adding: “I’m going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both and I wish it hadn’t gone this way โฆ I’m sorry for all the trouble this has caused.”
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz remembered Hortman, a mother of two who served 20 years in the Minnesota House of Representatives, for her “grace, compassion and tirelessness”. Walz, who served as Kamala Harris’s Democratic vice presidential running mate in the recent election, confirmed the attacker targeted the Hortmans’ residence after shooting the Hoffmans multiple times.
“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” said Walz, ordering flags to fly at half-staff in Hortman’s honor.
President Donald Trump issued a statement saying, “Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”
The shootings occur amid a period when political leaders nationwide have faced attacks, harassment and intimidation due to deep political divisions in the US.
Recent incidents include an April attack on Democratic Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s home, forcing his family to flee during Passover. The suspect planned to assault Shapiro with a sledgehammer, according to court documents.
In July 2024, Trump was grazed by gunfire that killed one supporter, and two months later, an armed man was discovered and arrested near Trump’s Florida golf course.
Other notable incidents include a 2022 hammer attack on then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s husband in their San Francisco home and a 2020 plot by antigovernment groups to kidnap Democratic Governor Gretchen Whitmer.
Senate Democratic Leader Chuck Schumer requested Capitol police to “immediately increase security” for Minnesota Democratic Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith.
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