A. man accused of killing a Minnesota Democratic state lawmaker and her husband in a politically charged attack has been apprehended following an intensive two-day manhunt.
Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested on Sunday after being on the run for allegedly posing as a police officer and fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, the Democratic Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband, Mark, according to Reuters.
Authorities said Boelter also allegedly shot and wounded another Democratic lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home.
Governor Tim Walz, addressing the state in a sombre news conference, confirmed the arrest, stating: “After a two-day manhunt, two sleepless nights, law enforcement have apprehended Vance Boelter. One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota.”
Walz also condemned the act as a tragic reflection of growing political violence in America.
“A moment in this country where we watch violence erupt, this cannot be the norm. It cannot be the way that we deal with our political differences. Now is the time for us to recommit to the core values of this country, and each and every one of us can do it,” he said.
Boelter is accused of carrying out the attack in the early hours of Saturday at the private residences of the lawmakers. Authorities believe he gained entry by impersonating a police officer. The killings occurred in the suburban areas north of Minneapolis.
Hortman and her husband were pronounced dead at the scene. State Senator John Hoffman, another Democratic lawmaker, and his wife were also targeted and sustained gunshot wounds. Both remain hospitalised.
The FBI and federal law enforcement had joined Minnesota authorities in the search for Boelter, who reportedly abandoned a vehicle near Hortman’s home. The vehicle was styled to resemble a police SUV and, according to investigators, contained a manifesto and a list of political targets, raising further concerns about the broader implications of the plot.
Minnesota officials have described the attack as a “direct assault on our democracy,” with Governor Walz warning of the dangers posed by the politicization of violence. “This is a politically motivated act of violence,” he reiterated in an earlier statement.
Champlin Mayor Ryan Sabas confirmed that both shootings took place at the victims’ homes, underscoring the premeditated nature of the attack. Investigators have not yet disclosed the full contents of the manifesto found in Boelter’s vehicle, but sources say it contained ideologically driven rhetoric and detailed plans to target public officials.
Melissa Hortman, 53, had been a dominant force in Minnesota politics for nearly two decades. First elected in 2004, she rose to become Speaker of the House and led efforts on climate legislation, racial justice, and government reform. She is survived by her two children.
Senator John Hoffman, who began serving in the legislature in 2012, is the founder of Hoffman Strategic Advisors and a former school board member. He and his wife were said to be in stable condition at the time of reporting.
As the investigation continues, authorities are examining the suspect’s background, online activity, and potential affiliations. Security has also been heightened around state government buildings and lawmakers’ homes.
The killings have sent shockwaves across the nation, reigniting debates about political extremism and the safety of public officials in a polarized era.
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