Background on the Suspect and Victims
A massive manhunt entered its second day on Sunday in Minnesota following a shooting that killed a Democratic state legislator while the gunman impersonated a police officer. Governor Tim Walz described the crime as a “political assassination.”
The suspect, identified by police as Vance Luther Boelter, 57, fled on foot when officers confronted him at the Brooklyn Park home of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Both were killed.
Previous Incident Involving the Suspect
Earlier, the shooter had shot and wounded another Democratic state legislator, Senator John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette in their home, just a few miles away, according to authorities.
Details of the Ongoing Investigation
Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat from Minnesota, reported on Sunday morning that authorities believe the suspect remains in the Midwest and added that an alert had been issued in neighboring South Dakota.
“It’s clearly a politically motivated act,” Klobuchar said, noting that the entire Minnesota congressional delegation—both Republicans and Democrats—issued a joint statement condemning the shootings.
The suspect left a vehicle resembling a police SUV, complete with flashing lights, outside Hortman’s suburban Minneapolis home that contained a manifesto and a list of other political targets and institutions, according to authorities.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is the suspect? The suspect is identified as Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old man.
- Who were the victims? The victims include state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, as well as Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.
- What is the nature of the crime? The crime has been described as a “political assassination” by Governor Tim Walz.
- Where is the suspect believed to be? Authorities believe the suspect remains in the Midwest, possibly in South Dakota.
- What evidence suggests political motivation? The entire Minnesota congressional delegation issued a joint statement condemning the shootings, and Senator Amy Klobuchar explicitly stated that the act was politically motivated.
