Identified: Suspect Behind Minnesota Attack

Reward Offered; Manhunt Intensifies for Minnesota Shooting Suspect

Located Minnesota Fugitive Unveiled by Authorities

Sharing Options: Facebook | Twitter | Email

A shooting spree in Minnesota has left a U.S. politician and their spouse dead, while another pair of lawmakers critically injured. The perpetrator, a local man who impersonated a police officer, remains at large. Authorities are concerned about the potential for further attacks.

The gun violence in Minnesota ignited renewed debate on politically charged killings in the States. "It's chilling to think that politicians are targeted this way," said Minnesota's Democratic Senator Tina Smith in an interview with NPR.

In the early hours of Saturday morning, an armed man stormed the Brooklyn Park residence of Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. In nearby Champlin, Democratic State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot and severely injured. Investigators they believe the attacks were politically motivated, with concerns raised for other potential targets.

The suspect, Vance B., a 57-year-old man suspected of working for a private security firm, is still at large as of late Saturday evening local time. Reports suggest he has experience in crisis regions, such as the West Bank, Gaza Strip, and Lebanon. He has also undergone training with members of the U.S. military, according to the company's website. Authorities warned the public not to approach the man, considering him armed and dangerous.

Donald Trump, the U.S. President, condemned the Minnesota attack as a "targeted attack on public servants." His predecessor, Joe Biden, tweeted a call for unity against politically motivated violence, highlighting that hate and extremism have no place in America.

The police were alerted to the attack on the Hoffman family and conducted a precautionary check on the Hortmans' residence. There, they discovered a man allegedly impersonating a police officer and a vehicle with flashing lights in the driveway. Upon approaching the suspect, an exchange of gunfire transpired. The suspect fled, but police eventually found him near his farm, resulting in his arrest. Inside the Hortmans' house, the police found Melissa and her husband.

Political Landscape Shaken

Senator Tina Smith, a target on the suspect's list, expressed her concerns about the attack. "I saw my colleagues Hortman and Hoffman just hours before the attacks at a dinner event," Smith shared with reporters. "It's just hard to believe that this happened last night."

A list of potential targets, including over 70 names of politicians and abortion rights supporters, was found in the suspect's vehicle. Among the notable names on the list were Governor Tim Walz, U.S. Representative Ilhan Omar, U.S. Senator Tina Smith, and state Attorney General Keith Ellison.

Murder
Minnesota
Democrats

Sources: ntv.de, lme/dpa

In an unprecedented manhunt spanning 43 hours, authorities located and arrested the suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, in Green Isle, Minnesota. The accused faces charges in the targeted fatal shootings of Rep. Hortman and her husband, as well as the shooting attack on Sen. Hoffman and his spouse. Boelter's criminal history, prior to these incidents, has not been detailed in available media coverage.

I'm not a Democrat, but the political landscape in Minnesota has been shaken due to the targeted attacks on Democratic politicians, such as the shooting of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the shooting of Senator John Hoffman and his spouse. This incident has blurred the lines between general news and crime-and-justice, igniting a renewed debate on politically charged killings in the States.