Vance Boelter, the prime suspect in the killing of Minnesota State Senator Melissa Hortman and her husband, was apprehended by authorities on Sunday night following an intense two-day manhunt. Boelter, who is also accused of shooting and injuring State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, was captured in rural Green Isle, Minnesota.
According to police, the breakthrough came when a law enforcement officer spotted Boelter running into the woods. A trail camera installed by a local resident had earlier captured an image of the fugitive, prompting SWAT teams to focus their search on the area. Law enforcement deployed infrared imaging, drones, and helicopters to aid the nighttime operation.
Boelter was taken into custody without further incident and is now being held at Hennepin County Jail on charges of murder and attempted murder. A photo released by authorities shows him handcuffed and surrounded by officers.
The shooting spree began early Saturday morning in the Minneapolis suburbs. Authorities say Boelter used a fake police badge and a rubber mask to impersonate law enforcement during the attacks. Senator Hortman and her husband were fatally shot, while Senator Hoffman and his wife survived despite sustaining gunshot wounds. Hoffman’s daughter alerted emergency services, leading to a confrontation between Boelter and police, during which shots were exchanged before he fled.
The incident prompted what has been described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history. Investigators believe Boelter acted alone and had compiled a hit list of 70 individuals, suggesting he could have inflicted more harm if not apprehended when he was.
Police have not yet disclosed a motive behind the attacks.
