Wanted: Fleeing Assassin in Minnesota after Double Murder and Shooting Attack
Arrest Warrant Issued for Elusive Criminal Originating from Minnesota
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A chilling rampage that took the lives of two US politicians and their spouses in Minnesota has sparked a nationwide manhunt for the killer, who is now on the run after a bloody gunfight with the law. The killer, believed to be a wannabe police officer, has a hit list that has authorities on high alert, fearing more casualties.
The hunt is heating up in the heart of Minnesota for the suspect on the run. Meanwhile, the ugly face of politically-motivated violence is back center stage in the US.
In a cruel tragic pre-dawn attack in the Brookyn Park neighborhood, an armed assailant brutally gunned down Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home. In a separate attack several miles north in Champlin, Democratic Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and left critically injured. Police believe both attacks were politically charged, leaving them uncertain about who might be next on the list.
The fugitive, identified as Vance B., remains on the loose as twilight falls. The 57-year-old man is suspected of working for a private security firm, according to reports. His company's website boasts of his experiences in crisis zones like the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Lebanon - all with military training. "Do not approach him. He is considered armed and dangerous,” law enforcement warned.
Politicians and officials nationwide are supportive and speak out against the senseless violence. Minnesota Democratic Senator Tina Smith shared her fears, "It's terrifying that public servants have to worry about their personal safety in such a concrete and frightening way."
Involved in the attacks, Senator Smith is one of several high-profile individuals and political groups listed in a death list found in the suspect’s vehicle, accompanied by an ample supply of ammunition and a Father's Day greeting card. The list includes politicos from states across the US and advocates for abortion rights, with authorities worrying that more people may be in the crosshairs.
President Donald Trump has denounced the assassinations as "targeted attacks on public servants," vowing to bring the perpetrators to justice with "the full weight of the law." Joe Biden, his predecessor, urged unity against politically-motivated violence, declaring that division and extremism have no place in American society.
As the FBI offers a $50,000 reward for any helpful tips, residents are advised to remain vigilant. A friend of Vance B., still heartbroken, confessed to CNN, "I always knew him as a loving, caring guy. I can't believe he’d do something like this." The U.S. Marshal Service believes he may be acting alone.
Before the tragic events, police playfully mustered at the Hortmans' residence on suspicion of an impostor officer. They found a man claiming to be a policeman and his squad car parked in the driveway. When officers moved in, the suspect fired at them, sparking a shootout. Vance B. initially retreated into the house before disappearing from the scene. Upon their search inside the residence, officers found both Hortmans.
Source: ntv.de, lme/dpa
- Assassination Plot
- Minnesota
- Democrats
I'm not a Democrat, but it's concerning to see the resurfacing of politically-motivated violence in the US, as demonstrated by the assassination plot against Minnesota politicians. The general news about the rampage in Minnesota, involving the shooting of Democratic representatives Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, serves as a stark reminder of the crime and injustice plaguing our society.
