A massive manhunt involving state police and the FBI was in full force Saturday evening for a gunman who posed as a police officer before killing a senior Democratic state assemblywoman and her husband. Governor Tim Walz has described the attack as a "politically motivated assassination."
The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, is also accused of shooting and wounding State Senator John Hoffman and his wife in a pre-dawn rampage. The attacks have sent shockwaves through the nation's political landscape.
According to law enforcement, the violent spree began around 2 a.m. CDT when the gunman attacked the Hoffmans in their Champlin home. Both underwent surgery, with Governor Walz expressing "cautious optimism" for their survival.
The assailant then travelled approximately five miles to the Brooklyn Park residence of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband, Mark. An alert police sergeant, responding to the first shooting, had proactively dispatched officers to check on the Hortmans.
Upon arrival, officers encountered a vehicle resembling a police SUV with its lights activated. The suspect immediately opened fire on them before fleeing on foot. Both Hortman, a 20-year veteran of the Minnesota House, and her husband were found deceased inside their home.
Authorities have identified the suspect as Vance Luther Boelter and warn that he should be considered armed and dangerous. He is believed to be in the Minneapolis-St. Paul area. The FBI has released photos of Boelter in a police-like uniform and a mask, offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
In the abandoned vehicle, investigators discovered a "manifesto" and a target list containing approximately 70 names. According to reports citing law enforcement sources, the list included the Hortmans, the Hoffmans, other state and national lawmakers like U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar and Senator Tina Smith, as well as abortion providers.
Public records and online postings reveal Boelter has links to evangelical ministries and claimed to be a security expert with experience in Africa and the Gaza Strip. He was appointed to the Governor's Workforce Development Board in 2016 by Walz's predecessor. A housemate of Boelter's told reporters he received a text from him early Saturday morning saying, "he might be dead soon."
The killings have drawn widespread condemnation from politicians on both sides of the aisle, with many calling for an end to divisive political rhetoric.
"This was an act of targeted political violence," Governor Walz stated at a news briefing. "Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint."
President Donald Trump, who was briefed on the shooting, issued a statement saying, "Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America."
The incident comes amidst heightened political tensions and a recent surge in political attacks across the United States. Before Hortman's death, the Minnesota House of Representatives was evenly divided between Democrats and Republicans, with 67 members from each party.
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"MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN" — President Donald J. Trump called for peace between Israel and Iran, saying diplomacy is underway and a deal is within reach.
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The Trump administration is preparing to dramatically widen its immigration crackdown, with plans to ban entry to citizens from 36 more countries unless security and cooperation standards are met within 60 days, according to an internal State Department cable.
"MAKE THE MIDDLE EAST GREAT AGAIN" — President Donald J. Trump called for peace between Israel and Iran, saying diplomacy is underway and a deal is within reach.
On 15 June, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of Ahmed Metani, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the State of Palestine.
Germany intensified its diplomatic efforts on Sunday as Chancellor Friedrich Merz and Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul warned of a looming regional catastrophe in the Middle East, calling for immediate de-escalation and humanitarian access amid growing fears of a broader war.
On June 15, President of the Republic of Azerbaijan Ilham Aliyev received the credentials of Kang Kymgu, the newly appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Korea. Following the formal presentation of credentials, President Aliyev held a meeting with Ambassador Kymgu.
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