FBI posts US$50,000 reward for suspect in Minnesota lawmaker's assassination
Hundreds of law officers fanned out across a Minneapolis suburb on Saturday in pursuit of a man who authorities say posed as a police officer and fatally shot a Democratic state lawmaker in her home in what Governor Tim Walz called 'a politically motivated assassination'.
Authorities said the same suspect also shot and wounded a second lawmaker and was believed to be trying to flee the area.
Democratic former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in their Brooklyn Park home. Senator John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, were injured at their Champlin address, about 15km (nine miles) away.
Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said at an afternoon news conference that authorities were looking for 57-year-old Vance Boelter. The FBI issued a reward of up to US$50,000 for information leading to his arrest and conviction.
Authorities displayed a photo of Boelter wearing a tan cowboy hat that was taken on Saturday and asked the public to report sightings. Evans said investigators have obtained video as well. He did not give details on a possible motive.
Minnesota lawmakers Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman are seen in official portraits. Photos: Minnesota Senate photographer's office and Minnesota State Legislature via AFP
Boelter is a former political appointee who served on the same state workforce development board as Hoffman, state records show, though it was not clear if or how well they knew each other.
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