Vance Boelter has been arrested, KARE 11 confirms.
SIBLEY COUNTY, Minn. — The man accused of killing a lawmaker and her husband and wounding another lawmaker and his wife has been arrested.
57-year-old Vance Boelter has been arrested alive in a field near his home in Sibley County, where the search concentrated Sunday. Officials said no “use of force” was used in the arrest.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley called it the “largest manhunt in state history.”
A large team of SWAT and law enforcement personnel had assembled near the Boelter home in Green Isle, about an hour’s drive southwest of the Twin Cities, after the suspect’s car was found abandoned. A cowboy hat similar to one spotted in surveillance video was located nearby.
The search of farm fields and additional locations heated up after a neighbor spotted Boelter on a trail camera set up on their property. Drones were deployed, and eventually located the fugitive. The Faribault Police Department says its drone team played a role in finding Boelter, and bringing the search to an end.
“Working in tandem with another drone team, the Faribault drone and its operator successfully located Boelter. The drones maintained their position overhead, providing critical intelligence until responding SWAT teams could apprehend Boelter without incident,” read a post on the Faribault PD Facebook page.
Around 2 a.m. Saturday, officials said DFL Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times in their Champlin home. They are both now awake after surgery. Family members say Yvette saved their daughter Hope by jumping on top of her. Officials say the shooter then went to the home of DFL Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, where she and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office has charged Boelter with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
According to the criminal complaint, officers “located at least three AK-47 assault rifles, a 9mm handgun, as well as a list of names and addresses of other public officials. Officers canvassed the surrounding area and located a ballistic vest, a disassembled 9mm firearm, a mask, and a gold police-style badge.”
KARE 11’s AJ Lagoe reports that law enforcement was led to the area after a neighbor spotted Boelter on a trail camera.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said in a press conference Sunday night that troopers with the Minnesota State Patrol put the handcuffs on Boelter Sunday night, and thanked the countless law enforcement officers who worked through Father’s Day on this case. Walz added this “cannot be the norm” in how Americans deal with political differences.
Minnesota BCA Superintendent Drew Evans said in the same conference that Boelter was arrested on the 36000 block of 200 Street in Green Isle. He added that if anyone helped Boelter, they will be held accountable.
We cannot confirm what the motive behind the shootings was. However, a manifesto was found at Sen. Hoffman’s home, which included up to 70 names, mostly of current and former Democratic officials, sources told KARE 11’s Lou Raguse, along with names and locations associated with abortion rights.
Statement from the Hoffman family:
First and foremost, John and I hold a deep and profound gratitude for the work of our law enforcement agencies and the public for their help in bringing the suspect to justice, while diligently keeping our communities safe during this extremely difficult and senseless event.
John and I are both incredibly lucky to be alive. We continue our healing journey and are humbled by the outpouring of love and support our family has received from across the state and our nation.
There is never a place for senseless political violence and loss of life. We are devastated by the loss of Melissa and Mark, and our hearts go out to all those who knew and loved them both. We are always at our best when we unite together.
The Hoffman Family
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.