Minnesota Shooting Suspect Apprehended After Fatal Attacks
Authorities in Minnesota have arrested 57-year-old Vance Boelter, suspected in a shocking shooting that claimed the life of State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The arrest concludes a tense two-day manhunt that gripped the state.
Multiple Victims in Separate Attacks
Boelter is also accused of wounding State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, during a separate incident at their home in a Minneapolis suburb. In both attacks, the suspect reportedly disguised himself with a rubber mask and falsely presented himself as a law enforcement officer.
Chilling Details Emerge on Suspect's Plans
Investigators uncovered a disturbing notebook belonging to Boelter, listing nearly 70 potential targets, among them several lawmakers. After one of the shootings, he fired at officers responding to the scene before fleeing.
Manhunt and Arrest
The search intensified Saturday evening when SWAT teams converged on a home in Plymouth, roughly 12 miles west of Minneapolis. The subsequent day, authorities expanded the search to Sibley County, an hour's drive from the crime locations, where they recovered Boelter's vehicle and a hat believed to be his.
Suspect's Behavior Prior to the Attacks
Before the shootings, Boelter exhibited suspicious behavior, including emptying his bank account and prepaying four months’ rent for a modest room in Minneapolis. The payment was made to David Carlson, a longtime friend who knew him since elementary school.
Community on Edge After Brutal Violence
The arrest brings some relief to a state shaken by these violent attacks on public officials. Authorities continue to investigate Boelter’s motives and connections as the community grapples with these tragic events.
