Vance Luther Boelter suspect in Melissa Hortman killing

A manhunt is underway for a 57-year-old suspect in the early Saturday shootings that killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in what officials believe to be a “politically motivated assassination” of the Democrat.

In a separate attack, Minnesota Democratic state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot in their own home, about eight miles away.

Officials said in a Saturday afternoon briefing that Hoffman was out of surgery and in stable condition, but they did not have additional information.

Authorities identified the suspect in connection with the shootings as Vance Luther Boelter, who was last seen Saturday morning wearing a light cowboy hat, a dark, long-sleeve collared shirt and light pants.

Law enforcement urged the public to call 911 if they see the suspect. The FBI is offering up to $50,000 for information leading to Boelter’s arrest.

Boelter is listed as the director of security patrols at Praetorian Guard Security Services, a Minnesota-based private security firm, according to the company’s website.

Drew Evans, the superintendent of the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in Minnesota, said the suspect had “some overlap” with Hoffman, but the nature of the relationship was unknown and it is not clear if “they actually knew each other.”

Evans said that authorities “still don’t know if additional people are involved.”

Authorities said the suspect impersonated a police officer at the victims’ homes, which are located in the suburbs of Minneapolis.

Hortman, a member of the Minnesota House since 2005, served as speaker until earlier this year.

“Our state lost a great leader, and I lost the dearest of friends,” Gov. Tim Walz said of Hortman on Saturday.

Police responded to a call at about 2 a.m. local time that Hoffman and his wife had been shot in their Champlin residence.

Police were then “proactively checking” Hortman’s house in Brooklyn Park at around 3:35 a.m. Upon arrival, officers encountered an individual who “immediately fired” at them, Evans, of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension said at a briefing.

The suspect escaped from the back of the house amid the exchange of gunfire, officials said. His car, which had emergency lights and sirens resembling a police car, was also identified.

Upon searching the suspect’s car, officials found a “manifesto” naming other lawmakers and officials.

The list included the names of a number of outspoken pro-choice individuals in Minnesota, including Democratic lawmakers, NBC News reported.

President Donald Trump said in a statement Saturday morning that he had been “briefed on the terrible shooting” and anybody involved will be prosecuted “to the fullest extent of the law.”

“Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America,” Trump continued.

U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi also said that she is “closely monitoring developments in Minnesota after what appears to be a targeted attack against state lawmakers.”

Bondi said the FBI is on the ground in Minnesota and working with state and local law enforcement.

“This horrific violence will not be tolerated and will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” Bondi wrote on X.

Minnesota State Patrol warned the public not to attend planned demonstrations across the state on Saturday “out of an abundance of caution” due to the “targeting shootings of state lawmakers overnight.”

Thousands of demonstrations are taking place nationwide as part of “No Kings Day” to protest Trump’s policies.

Statements condemning the violence poured in from lawmakers and officials around the country following the attacks.

Democratic National Committee chair Ken Martin said that his “heart is broken” by the “senseless murders.”

“This senseless violence must end,” Martin said in a statement.

“These heinous murders are a reflection of the extremism and political violence that have been fomented in our country,” he continued.

“Lawmakers should be able to do their job without fear for their lives.”

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