The man suspected of assassinating one Minnesota lawmaker and shooting another is in police custody, ending a nearly two-day manhunt.
Officials announced that Vance Boelter, 57, was taken into custody Sunday. He has been accused of fatally shooting Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as shooting Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife at their respective homes in the early morning hours on Saturday in what has been described as a âpolitically-motivatedâ attack.
Law enforcement agencies spent nearly 48 hours searching for Boelter, with more than 100 agents deployed across the state.
On Sunday morning, police located the suspectâs vehicle on the side of the highway in Sibley County, where officials said they found valuable evidence.
Boelterâs longtime friend and roommate said he was at their shared rental in Minneapolis the night before the shootings and texted him the morning after they occurred.
Officials allege that the suspect impersonated a police officer, and the FBI released a photo of him dressed in law enforcement attire and wearing what appeared to be a costume face mask at the front door of the victimsâ home.
State Sen. Hoffman and his wife were rushed into surgery after being shot nine and eight times, respectively, and are recovering.
Law enforcement discovered writing in the suspectâs car with the names of several Democratic officials and abortion rights supporters.
Criminal complaint outlines timeline of shootings and suspect’s escape
Boelter appeared to be impersonating a police officer when he arrived at the home of Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in Champlin shortly after 2 a.m. Saturday, according to a criminal complaint unsealed after his arrest.
He knocked on the door and announced himself as a police officer before entering the house, the complaint says.
Officers were dispatched to the homes of other lawmakers, including to the home of Rep. Hortman in nearby Brooklyn Park.
When officers arrived at 3:55 a.m., they found a Ford SUV with âpolice style lightsâ and âimmediatelyâ recognized the suspect, according to the complaint.
Officers then saw him fatally shoot Mark Hortman at the front door of the home.
Police then exchanged gunfire with the suspect as he fled inside.
Gov. Walz calls for unity following the shootings
Opening the press conference, Gov. Walz said that violence cannot be the way that the country deals with political differences.
âNow is the time for us to recommit to the core values of this country, and each and every one of us can do it,â he said. âTalk to a neighbor rather than arguing, debate an issue, shake hands, find common ground.â
The alleged suspect had a list featuring lawmakers from across the Midwest, and was said to hold extreme anti-abortion views.
Boelter was armed when captured
Boelter, the suspect in the Minnesota shootings, was armed when he was taken into custody, officials confirmed. They declined to stay what kind of weapon he had.
He is now being interviewed at an unnamed law enforcement agency.
What has Vance Boelter been charged with?
A criminal complaint unsealed upon Boelterâs apprehension states he stands charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder by the Hennepin County Attorneyâs Office.
These are state charges.
During Sundayâs press conference, Drew Evans, the superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said FBI will review whether federal charges should be brought as well.
Sen. Hoffman is out of surgery, Gov. Walz confirms
Sen. John Hoffman is out of his final surgery and is now recovering, Gov. Tim Walz confirmed Sunday night. His wife, Yvette, is also on the road to recovery.
The first 911 call was made by one of the children of John and Yvette Hoffman after they were shot multiple times, according to a criminal complaint seen by the Minnesota Star Tribune.
Walz said the Hoffmanâs daughter, Hope, “saved countless lives” during his late-night press conference by making the call.
Where was the suspect captured?
Suspect Vance Boelter was captured in Sibley County, Minnesota, which is about 70 miles from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where the fatal shootings took place.
According to the Minnesota Star Tribune, a Sibley County resident reported that their trail camera captured an image that âwas consistent with Boelterâ at around 7 p.m. Sunday.
Boelter evaded capture for a further hour in a forest, before peacefully surrendering to officials. He was taken to the Sibley County Jail by the Brooklyn Park Police Department.
âThereâs no question that this is the largest manhunt in the stateâs history,â Mark Bruley, the Brooklyn Park Police Department chief, said on Sunday night.
Gov. Walz is about to hold a press conference
He’ll be joined by Department of Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson; the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Drew Evans; and local law enforcement officials, his office said.
Ramsey County Sheriffâs Office shares picture of suspect
Ramsey County Sheriffâs Office has shared a photo of the alleged gunman, seemingly taken shortly after he had been captured.
âThe face of evil,â the post read. âAfter relentless and determined police work, the killer is now in custody. Thanks to the dedication of multiple agencies working together along with support from the community, justice is one step closer.â
Breaking: Arrest made
Some late breaking news tonight.
The man suspected of assassinating a Minnesota lawmaker and shooting another is in custody, ending a two-day manhunt.
Alex Woodward has the latest for you here.
Memorials for Melissa Hortman line steps of Minnesota state Capital
