Vance Luther Boelter, the man accused of targeting Minnesota lawmakers in ‘political assassinations’ allegedly sent some chilling messages to his family after the shootings, police say.
Minnesota lawmakers Melissa Hortman, 55, and John Hoffman, 60, and their spouses were attacked by a shooter at their homes over the weekend.
Authorities confirmed they were first notified of the shooting at Hoffman’s home at approximately 2.00am on Saturday (June 14).
They then 'proactively' checked in on Hortman’s home where they were met with the suspect ‘immediately’ firing at them, who proceeded to escape during the 'exchange of gunfire'.
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The attack killed Minnesota Rep. Hortman and her husband Mark, while Senator Hoffman and his wife Yvette remain in hospital.
Speaking out about the sad events that unfolded overnight, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz branded the shootings as being 'politically motivated'.
He said: "Hortman was someone who served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, humor, and a sense of service.
"She was a formidable public servant. A fixture and a giant in Minnesota."
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Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joseph Thompson also spoke about the dark nature of the attacks and said the shooter ‘stalked his victims like prey’ and ‘shot them in cold blood’
Police say the suspect disguised himself as police officer and also wore a realistic latex face mask to get the victims to open the front door.
After the shootings, a two-day manhunt got underway in search of the gunman and police found and detained suspect Boelter in a wooded area in Sibley County.
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Boelter is facing federal charges including stalking and firearms charges as well as state charges which include first-degree murder, police said.
After the shootings, Boelter allegedly texted his family members.
According to the affidavit, he reportedly texted his father: “Dad went to war last night ... I don't wanna say more because I don't want to implicate anybody.”
He also reportedly warned his wife of what could be happening next with the authorities, allegedly texting her: “Words are not gonna explain how sorry I am for this situation ... there's gonna be some people coming to the house armed and trigger-happy and I don't want you guys around."
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Authorities eventually searched Boelter’s wife’s car and police recovered two handguns, passports for herself and her children as well as approximately $10,000 in cash, according to the affidavit.
In his car, Boelter allegedly had firearms and a list of 45 elected officials in a notebook.
This notebook also had notes about his alleged victims, including locations, details about their home and family as well as where he could watch them, according to law enforcement.
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Police say the motive for the shootings is unclear.
Gerrard Kaonga