Search for Suspect in Minnesota Shootings Intensifies
The FBI has shared new images of Vance Boelter, the prime suspect in the tragic shootings of two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses in Minnesota. Authorities say Boelter is believed to have killed state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, in one incident, while state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were injured in another shooting.
Boelter, aged 57, is considered "armed and dangerous," and the FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for any information that leads to his arrest and conviction.
In the released images, Boelter is seen wearing a cowboy hat in one photo and dressed in tactical gear with a mask in another. He was last seen wearing a light cowboy hat, a dark long-sleeved shirt or coat, light pants, and carrying a dark bag, as noted by officials in a press conference shortly after the events unfolded.
The FBI’s Minneapolis Field Office is working alongside the Minnesota Department of Public Safety and the Brooklyn Park Police Department to locate Boelter. The search continues over 24 hours after the fatal shooting of the Hortmans.
Chief Mark Bruley of the Brooklyn Park Police reported that Boelter impersonated a police officer during the incident and fled on foot. Authorities discovered a manifesto in a vehicle linked to the shootings, containing a list of nearly 70 names, including abortion providers and pro-abortion rights advocates.
Boelter is described as having brown eyes, weighing 220 pounds, and standing at 6’1". His background includes working for notable companies like Nestle and 7-Eleven, and he is the CEO of Red Lion Group, based in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz condemned the killings, labeling them as politically motivated. He expressed the belief that disagreements should be settled without violence and called for unity against such acts.
Authorities urge anyone who sees Boelter not to approach him but to contact 911 immediately. The public is encouraged to reach out to the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension or the FBI with any information that may assist in the investigation.
