Minnesota manhunt ends: Suspect arrested in murder of state house speaker, husband
BELLE PLAINE, MN (WLNE) — This morning, the manhunt for the suspect wanted in the shooting of two Minneapolis lawmakers and their spouses, comes to an end.
Overnight police arrested Vance Boelter near his farm in Green Isle, southwest of Minneapolis.
Police now call this the “largest manhunt in Minnesota state history.”
The search lasted nearly two days after the shootings happened.
“That’s 48 hours that law enforcement involved in a complex and dangerous manhunt, spent father’s day away from their families to deliver justice for Melissa and Mark Hortman and their children, who spent this father’s day alone,” said Minnesota Governor Tim Walz.
Boelter is accused of killing former Minnesota house speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and in a separate incident, shooting along with state senator John Hoffman and his wife.
The violence underscores a troubling trend: threats to elected officials are on the rise.
“It’s part of a troubling pattern, a wave of political violence that threatens the very foundation of this republic. And let me be clear, violence has no place, no place in our politics,” said Senator Chuck Schumer of New York.
Republican Majority Leader Senator John Thune and House Speaker Mike Johnson have also both condemned the incident and all acts of political violence.
ABC News has learned investigators found a “vehicle of interest” and “personal items” they believe belong to Boelter – including writings and a list of potential targets they say the suspect left behind – including the names of many democratic lawmakers and abortion-rights advocates, along with addresses.
So far, no motive has been released.
Nationally, 43% of state lawmakers reported facing threats during their most recent term in office and the preceding campaign.
Meanwhile, a makeshift memorial for Hortman and her husband continues to grow outside the state capitol in Minnesota.
Visitors have left flowers, signs and American flags to honor the lives lost.
Senators will receive a bipartisan security briefing when hey return to work later Monday.
– Nicole D’Antonio, ABC News
