Police have arrested a man accused of having shot dead the Democratic leader of the Chamber of Representatives of Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, getting through an agent. As reported by ABC News, which cites several sources, the suspect has been arrested near his farm in Green isle, although the State Public Security Department has not wanted to officially confirm the arrest.
The Ramsey County Sheriff has published on social networks an image of the alleged author, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, already in custody. The authorities have maintained a great search operation since Saturday, after Governor Tim Walz has described the double murder as a “political execution.”
Boelter has fled on foot after the attack on Hortman’s house, in Brooklyn Park, when he has been surprised by the agents. According to the first investigations, it would also have been the author of another shooting that occurred a few hours before a few kilometers: that of the Democratic state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who have been seriously injured. “We are incredibly fortunate to remain alive,” Yvette written in a message spread on social networks by Senator Amy Klobuchar. Hoffman has been reached by nine bullets and remains hospitalized, although his condition has evolved favorably.
Boelter’s vehicle has been later located in a rural area of the County of Sibley, one hour by car of the attacked homes. Inside, a hat, personal objects and, according to the police, a list of objectives with names of politicians and institutions have been found. In addition, the car that has left Hortman’s house imitated a police officer, with emergency lights and false badges.
Reuters, who has had access to public records and online publications, points out that Boelter had links with evangelical groups and presented himself as a security expert with supposed experience in Gaza and Africa. The Star Tribune adds that his list included Abortist clinics and dozens of Democrats from Minnesota, including Governor Walz and Senator Klobuchar.
“One of the mobiles has been evident: abortion. For the names that appeared on that list,” said Klobuchar this Sunday in the NBC Meet the Press program.
The wave of political violence in the US has added a new chapter. In recent years there have been attacks such as the assault on the home of Nancy Pelosi’s husband, Donald Trump’s murder attempt during the 2024 electoral campaign or the fire caused in the house of the governor of Pennsylvania, Josh Shapiro, last April.
The authorities have disseminated images of the suspect with a rubber mask and a false police uniform. Meanwhile, the local community has begun to assimilate what happened: the Annual Champlin Festival has been canceled for security and, in front of the State Capitol, have begun to accumulate flowers, flags and messages such as one that says: “Justice for Melissa”.
Amy Klobuchar, who has shared dinner with Hortman and Hoffman on Friday, hours before the attack, recalled her with emotion: “We started together in politics, being mothers with young children. Melissa has been able to play all the doors of her district while brewing her two children. He has been Chief Scout, has taught in Sunday school. He was tireless.”
