Update: Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses shot in ‘politically motivated’ attacks, shooter identified
(Top image: Minnesota shooting suspect, Vance Luther Boelter)
(Bottom: Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman)
(Article Update) In the early afternoon hours of June 14, officials released the name of the suspected shooter currently sought in connection with the overnight shooting and killing of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the additional shootings of State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, who were both shot multiple times and seriously injured.
Vance Luther Boelter, 57, is being sought for his alleged connection in those four shootings, according to Fox News.
~
Per CBS News and according to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Boelter stands at 6-foot-1, weighs roughly 220 pounds and has brown hair and brown eyes. He was last seen Saturday morning in Minneapolis, wearing a light-colored cowboy hat, dark long-sleeve shirt, light pants and carrying a dark bag.
The FBI says is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Boelter’s arrest and conviction.
~
Ace News Today’s original article from Saturday, June 14, appears below in its entirety.
~~~
A Minnesota state representative and her husband were shot and killed and a Minnesota state senator and his wife were shot and seriously wounded in an “act of targeted political violence” at their homes early Saturday, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said. The overnight shootings took place in their homes in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, two cities just north of Minneapolis.
Police say the shootings were “targeted” and the suspect, who should be considered to be “armed and dangerous,” is still on the loose.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman, a Democrat, and her husband were shot and killed in a what appears to be a “politically-motivated assassination,” Walz said at a news conference. State Sen. John Hoffman, a Democrat, and his wife were both shot multiple times and underwent surgery, the governor said.
The shooter has been described as a white man with brown hair wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants, and was impersonating law enforcement to gain entry into their homes. The shooter was basically dressed like a police officer and was driving a car that looked a lot like a police vehicle. A “massive manhunt” is underway, with the FBI assisting in the search.
Law enforcement recovered a manifesto from the shooter’s vehicle, which named additional prospective victims – a list of many names which included more lawmakers and officials. The political ramifications could be significant, as both victims are Democrats and Hortman is a top House Democratic leader. The attack raises concerns about political violence and the safety of elected officials.
Early this morning, authorities issued a shelter-in-place order for a three-mile radius around Edinburgh Golf Course in Brooklyn Park. Residents were urged to verify police officers’ identities before opening their doors.
For more on the shootings, described as “A dark day for Minnesota and a dark day for Democracy”, see the videotaped press conference below,
(Sources: ABC News, The Associated Press, WSB-TV, MSN, CNN)
(Cover photos: Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman, Image credit: X)
Posted by Richard Webster, Ace News Today
Follow Richard on Facebook, Twitter & Instagram
