Authorities have identified Vance Boelter as the prime suspect in the early Saturday morning killings of Democratic Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the serious wounding of Democratic Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.
The shocking attacks, which Governor Tim Walz has decried as a “politically-motivated assassination,” have sent ripples of fear and outrage through the state’s political landscape.
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According to The Associated Press, law enforcement believes Boelter allegedly murdered Representative Hortman and her husband before proceeding to shoot and gravely injure Senator Hoffman and his wife. The suspect reportedly posed as a police officer to gain access and carry out the assaults.
Police encountered the individual believed to be Boelter at Hortman’s home, where an exchange of gunfire ensued before the suspect managed to evade capture.
Adding a disturbing layer to the unfolding tragedy, Governor Tim Walz revealed in a Saturday news conference that his office had tapped Boelter in 2019 to serve on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Boelter had also previously served on the Governor’s Workforce Development Council under former Democratic Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton, according to the New York Post.
Investigators have since recovered “No Kings” signs from the suspect’s vehicle. In a Facebook post, police advised residents against attending planned anti-Trump “No Kings” protests, hinting at a potential ideological motive behind the attacks.
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Further deepening the gravity of the situation, authorities stated they have recovered a manifesto from the suspect, along with a list of other potential targets. This discovery underscores the chilling premeditation of the attacks and raises concerns about broader threats.
The full scope of Boelter’s motives and any potential connections to extremist ideologies remain under investigation as the community grapples with the violent assault on its elected officials. This developing story will continue to be updated as more information becomes available.
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