A suspect has been taken into custody in connection with the horrific shootings that targeted two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, resulting in the death of one prominent legislator. Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested Sunday evening, a law enforcement official confirmed to The Associated Press.
He is believed to be responsible for the attacks that left former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, dead, and injured Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
The tragic events unfolded early Saturday morning, with authorities now characterizing them as targeted attacks. Former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed at their Brooklyn Park home in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.
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Approximately nine miles away in Champlin, Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, sustained injuries in a separate incident.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA), had earlier announced a nationwide warrant for Boelter’s arrest.
Early Sunday, authorities located a car believed to be used by Boelter, a few miles from his Green Isle home, and found relevant evidence inside, though details were not disclosed.
Authorities identified Boelter as the suspect, stating he allegedly wore a mask and posed as a police officer, even altering a vehicle to resemble a patrol car.
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Governor Tim Walz addressed the media, condemning the violence. “This tragic act here in Minnesota should serve as a reminder to all of us. The democracy and the debates in the halls of Congress, in state houses, in school boards, are a way to settle our differences peacefully and move society to a better place,” Walz stated, emphasizing collaboration among local, state, and federal agencies for a full investigation.
Superintendent Evans echoed the sentiment of collective loss, highlighting that political leaders are also integral members of the community. “When we have individuals like this and our political leadership, they’re not only political leaders, but they’re members of the community. Well-known members of the community know that the tragedy in a situation like this is not only for them, their friends and families, but also for us collectively, the communities they represent, and us as the state of Minnesota as a whole,” Evans said.
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The initial call came in early Saturday morning from Champlin, reporting that Senator Hoffman and his wife had been shot. As police responded, Brooklyn Park officers, proactively checking on Representative Hortman due to the earlier incident, encountered an individual who opened fire on them. An exchange of gunfire ensued, and the suspect managed to escape at that time.
At the Champlin residence, life-saving measures were provided to Senator Hoffman and his wife, both of whom underwent surgery for their injuries. While in critical condition, authorities expressed optimism for their recovery.
U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also weighed in, stating, “I am closely monitoring developments in Minnesota after what appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers. The FBI is on the ground investigating this case alongside state and local partners. This horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”
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