Vane Boelter motivation: Alleged killer of Minnesota lawmaker in custody, Tim Waltz releases statement
A two-day statewide manhunt ended on June 15 with the arrest of Vance Boelter, 57, who is accused of murdering Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and attempting to kill another legislator and his wife.
Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Sunday. Three of the charges carry prison terms of up to 40 years.
Authorities say Boelter posed as a police officer, donning a uniform and driving a Ford SUV equipped with police-style lights.
He allegedly shot and killed the Hortmans at their Brooklyn Park residence early Saturday, before travelling a few miles to the home of state Senator John Hoffman, where he allegedly shot Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Hoffman, struck nine times, has since emerged from surgery and is recovering.
'This cannot be the way we deal with political differences,' Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said at a press briefing, condemning the violence as a 'politically motivated assassination' and urging a recommitment to national values.
The complaint states Boelter fled on foot after the initial confrontation with police. A search of his SUV revealed three AK-47 rifles, a 9-mm handgun, and a list of public officials with their home addresses.
Boelter, said to have ties to evangelical groups and a history of claiming overseas security expertise, was eventually located near his home in Green Isle.
He was armed but surrendered without incident after being surrounded by more than 20 SWAT teams and aerial surveillance.
'The suspect crawled to law enforcement teams and was placed under arrest,' said Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Geiger of the Minnesota State Patrol.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said the operation was the largest manhunt in Minnesota history. 'Now begins the hard work of looking at what the motive is,' he added.
The incident is the latest in a string of violent acts targeting US political figures in recent years.
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A two-day statewide manhunt ended on June 15 with the arrest of Vance Boelter, 57, who is accused of murdering Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and attempting to kill another legislator and his wife. Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder, according to a criminal complaint unsealed Sunday. Three of the charges carry prison terms of up to 40 years. Authorities say Boelter posed as a police officer, donning a uniform and driving a Ford SUV equipped with police-style lights. He allegedly shot and killed the Hortmans at their Brooklyn Park residence early Saturday, before travelling a few miles to the home of state Senator John Hoffman, where he allegedly shot Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Hoffman, struck nine times, has since emerged from surgery and is recovering. 'This cannot be the way we deal with political differences,' Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said at a press briefing, condemning the violence as a 'politically motivated assassination' and urging a recommitment to national values. The complaint states Boelter fled on foot after the initial confrontation with police. A search of his SUV revealed three AK-47 rifles, a 9-mm handgun, and a list of public officials with their home addresses. Boelter, said to have ties to evangelical groups and a history of claiming overseas security expertise, was eventually located near his home in Green Isle. He was armed but surrendered without incident after being surrounded by more than 20 SWAT teams and aerial surveillance. 'The suspect crawled to law enforcement teams and was placed under arrest,' said Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Geiger of the Minnesota State Patrol. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said the operation was the largest manhunt in Minnesota history. 'Now begins the hard work of looking at what the motive is,' he added. The incident is the latest in a string of violent acts targeting US political figures in recent years.
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