Suspect arrested in Minnesota shooting death of Democratic congresswoman and her husband
Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old security company director and preacher, was armed and had a hit list of progressive politicians and activists.
BarcelonaAfter two days of an unprecedented search and arrest operation, the police arrested tonight the suspect of having Minnesota Democratic Congresswoman Melissa Hortman and her husband shot dead at his home. He is Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old security company director and preacher who allegedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife early Friday morning, wounding them. The man, described by one of his neighbors in the local press as "a staunch supporter of President Donald Trump," had a list of possible targets that included several Democratic representatives and members of the pro-abortion movement.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who spoke of "political violence" from the outset, wanted to appear to report the arrest. "After two days of searching and two sleepless nights, law enforcement has arrested Vance Boelter," Walz said at a press conference in which he condemned the suspect's "incredible actions." Boelter is charged with several counts of murder and attempted murder, three of which carry sentences of up to 40 years in prison.
While further details about the suspect and his motives are pending, police have confirmed that he was armed at the time of his arrest, although he offered no resistance and surrendered peacefully. The arrest comes after police and FBI officers conducted a large raid in a rural area of Minnesota on Sunday night, where they had indications the alleged shooter was hiding.
The man was disguised as a police officer at the time of his attack. Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley confirmed that in his SUV were three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm handgun, and a list of other public officials, between 50 and 70 individuals, with their addresses. He also had pamphlets with the events planned for No Kings Day, the call for nationwide demonstrations against Donald Trump's abuses of power.
Walz, in fact, warned residents not to attend anti-Trump protests until the suspect in the double murder was arrested. It should be noted that in the days before, in Telegram chats and other forums, far-right groups had been boiling with plans to sabotage anti-Trump demonstrations. "Shoot a couple [of protesters], the rest will go home," read one mem circulating on Telegram channels of groups linked to the Proud Boys.
Police warned people on the shooter's list not to attend any events until the man was captured. Among those identified by the shooter as potential victims were several Democratic representatives and other public figures in pro-abortion activism, including headquarters of family planning organizations.
The search for Vance Boelter became "the largest manhunt in state history," according to Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, who said 20 SWAT teams were involved in the operation. Several SWAT teams, with air support from the Minnesota State Patrol, surrounded the attacker in rural Sibley County. "The suspect crawled on the ground toward law enforcement teams and was arrested at that time," without the need for force, explained Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger of the Minnesota State Patrol. The operation included unmanned aerial vehicles, a helicopter, and infrared technology, according to the local Minnesota newspaper. Star TribuneThe man was taken to a cell at 1:00 a.m. local time and was scheduled to appear before a judge at 1:30 p.m. local time on Monday.