Manhunt after Minnesota politician shot dead and another wounded
A manhunt is under way after a US politician and her husband were shot dead in their home in a "politically motivated assassination" - and another politician and his wife were wounded.
Minnesota state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in the attack at their property, Tim Walz, the governor of Minnesota, confirmed.
State senator John Hoffman and his wife were also shot in their home but are expected to survive. The senator, according to officials, is in a stable condition after emergency surgery.
Authorities have confirmed that the suspect they are looking for is 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who is described as a 6ft 1in white male, with brown hair and brown eyes.
Members of the public have been urged not to approach him as he may be armed.
The suspect was reportedly posing as a police officer, and officials said the alleged attacker escaped after an exchange of gunfire.
Both politicians are members of the Minnesota Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party.
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In a statement, US President Donald Trump said: "I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers.
"Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law.
"Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America."
Authorities urged residents of the Champlin and Brooklyn Park areas to stay in their homes.
In an earlier Facebook post, Mr Walz said: "I've been briefed this morning on an ongoing situation involving targeted shootings in Champlin and Brooklyn Park.
"The Minnesota Department of Public Safety and local law enforcement are on the scene. We will share more information soon."
At a subsequent news conference, Mr Walz said: "We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence.
"Those responsible for this will be held accountable."
He has also urged those in Minnesota not to attend political rallies until the suspect is caught.
Police evacuated the Texas State Capitol and grounds in Austin ahead of an anti-Trump protest on Saturday - citing a credible threat to politicians.
Post-mortem examinations will be conducted to determine the extent of their injuries.
However, it is clear that both Ms Hortman and her spouse died from gunshot wounds, Drew Evans, superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said.
Ms Hortman, a mother of two, was first elected in 2004 - and was the top house Democratic leader in the state legislature. She also served as speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives.
Mr Hoffman, also a Democrat, was first elected in 2012 - and ran a consulting firm called Hoffman Strategic Advisors.
Hakeem Jeffries, House Democratic leader, has described the shootings as "deeply disturbing" on X, adding that "violence is never acceptable", and that he is "praying hard" for the victims.
Former Arizona representative, Gabby Giffords, described her friend Ms Hortman as a "true public servant", who "dedicated her life building a better, safer Minnesota".
Nancy Pelosi, former speaker of the US House of Representatives, said she was "heartbroken" by the news.
She added: "Unfortunately, we know the tragedy of when political violence hits home very well.
"All of us must remember that it's not only the act of violence, but also the reaction to it, that can normalise it. This climate of politically-motivated violence must end."
In a tribute, Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said: "Melissa, Mark, John, and Yvette - these are not just names, and this is not just politics.
"These are people. They're longtime friends to me and Jenn and so many others in Minnesota. They have children, loved ones, neighbours, and friends."
Mr Martin added: "Today, we recommit ourselves to fight harder for the values that Melissa and Mark embodied - building a kinder, more just, and loving world. If this murderer thinks we will be silenced, he's wrong."
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Federal prosecutors have shared the chilling notes Vance Boelter carried with him as he allegedly shot dead a state lawmaker and her husband and attempted to kill another legislator and his wife Saturday morning. Boelter, 57, is facing both state and federal charges for the shooting death of Melissa Hortman - the top Democrat in the Minnesota House - and her husband, Mark. He is also suspected of shooting and injuring state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home a few miles away. He appeared in court on Monday to face the charges for the first time since his apprehension late Sunday night, when he claimed he does not have enough money to afford a private attorney - despite owning seven cars and a house. Prosecutors say Boelter - whose friends describe him as a devout Catholic - planned to target other liberal lawmakers and abortion providers, even making a list of 45 Democrats and other abortion activists in notepads that were recovered from the crime scene. Victim Rep. 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But as the suspect spoke with the couple, Yvette told officers she eventually realized the suspect was wearing a mask - and called him out for not being a 'real police officer.' Boelter then allegedly claimed he was there to commit a robbery, at which point, Yvette said, her husband tried to push the suspect out the door. At that point, court documents say, Boelter started firing at the couple - who were later rushed to a local hospital with 'critical gunshot wounds.' Prosecutors also claimed on Monday that Boelter went to the homes of two other legislators on the night of the shootings, intending to inflict more carnage against those on his hitlist, before he arrived at the Hortman's home. One of the other state lawmakers he allegedly targeted was on vacation and the suspect left the other house after police arrived. Meanwhile, Brooklyn Park police deployed officers to the Hortman residence out of precaution once they realized Hoffman was a state legislator. By the time the officers arrived at around 3am, they noticed Boelter's vehicle was already in the driveway, and watched as he fatally struck Mark Hortman, the charging documents claim. Officers encountered Boelter fleeing Hortman's home at 3.35am and exchanged gunfire with him. Chilling photos showed the suspect donning the unsettling costume mask covering his entire head. Yet officers somehow let the suspect slip through their fingers as he escaped the scene on foot. He was allegedly heavily armed at the time. A massive two-day long manhunt for the suspect ensued, with authorities eventually narrowing in on a rural part of Sibley County, where his vehicle had been found. Inside, police recovered three AK-47 assault rifles a 9mm handgun and a cowboy hat Boelter was allegedly seen wearing in surveillance footage. There was even a letter written to the FBI, which said it was written by 'Dr. Vance Luther Boulter' and noted he was 'the shooter at large in Minnesota involved in the 2 shootings.' Officers eventually used a helicopter and a small army of officers on foot to find Boelter, who gave himself up to police after being caught on a resident's trail camera. He was seen in dark clothing, with a backpack and was armed at the time, according to Fox 9. Boelter then gave himself up to police, crawling out before he was handcuffed and taken into custody in a field. He made his first court appearance on Monday, arriving in federal court in St. Paul in an orange prison jumpsuit. Boelter was unshackled as he sat next to his defense attorney and claimed he could not afford a private lawyer because he only has a part-time job that brings in about $540 a week, according to CNN. Yet he also admitted he owned a home and had seven cars in his name, as well as between $20,000 to $30,000 in his bank account, ABC News reports. A federal judge ultimately agreed that the alleged assassin likely would not be able to afford a defense attorney and asked the federal public defenders office to look into his financial situation. In the meantime, the judge ordered the suspect to be held without bail after Assistant US Attorney Bradley Endicott argued he has the intent and capacity to flee, according to NBC News. He is now in the custody of US Marshals, and is due to appear in federal court again on June 27. Boelter was also due to appear in a Hennepin County courtroom at the same time on Monday to face second degree murder and attempted murder charges. There, a state judge set his bail at $5 million. The suspect is now to remain in he custody of US Marshals. If convicted on a federal murder or terrorism charge, Boelter could end up being executed.
