June 14 (UPI) -- A manhunt is underway in Minnesota after two state lawmakers and their spouses were shot overnight, including two killed, in a "politically motivated assassination," Gov. Tim Walz told reporters Saturday.
State Rep. Melissa Hortman, 55, and her husband, Mark, 58, were shot and killed early Saturday in their Brooklyn Park home, around 11 miles northwest of Minneapolis. About 1 1/2 hours earlier State Sen. John Hoffman, 60, and his wife Yvette were shot "multiple times" 5 miles away in Champlin.
The suspect was identified as Vance Luther Boelter, 57, whom Walz in 2019 appointed to a four-year term on the Governor's Workforce Development Board, the New York Post reported. The board is a nonpartisan group of "key leaders from business, education, labor, community-based organizations, and government."
He earlier served on the Governor's Workforce Development Council in 2016 under former Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton.
Police identified Boelter as the suspect and said he drove an SUV with emergency lights that looked like a police SUV.
The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading up to his arrest.
Investigators found a list of Minnesota lawmakers, a manifesto and several "No Kings" flyers inside the SUV, a photo of which the Minnesota State Patrol posted on X.
The flyers reference the nationwide "No Kings" protests that are scheduled for Saturday while President Donald Trump attends a military parade honoring the 250th birthday of the U.S. Army.
"Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today's planned demonstrations across Minnesota out of an abundance of caution," the MSP said.
Trump said federal investigators will participate in the manhunt and prosecute all involved.
"I have been briefed on the terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers," Trump said in a Truth Social post.
"Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law," Trump said.
"Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America," he added. "God bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!"
Authorities said someone impersonating a police officer shot and killed the Hoffmans, around 3:30 a.m.
Around 2 a.m. CDT, a gunman opened fire, hitting the Hoffmans "multiple times."
Walz said during a Saturday news conference he is "cautiously optimistic" Hoffman and his wife will survive the shooting and were out of surgery.
In the wake of the shootings, Walz also asked people not to attend planned protests in Minnesota on Saturday.
Some 1,500 "No Kings" demonstrations were scheduled to take place across the country in virtually every state.
Local police were at Hortman's residence proactively checking after the earlier shooting.
"At which time, Brooklyn Park police officers encountered an individual who immediately fired at them, and they exchanged gunfire and the individual was able to escape during that exchange of gunfire," Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans told reporters at the news conference Saturday.
Brooklyn Park and Champlin are located in Hennepin County, Minn.
A shelter-in-place order remains in place in parts of Brooklyn Park, officials said Saturday, adding "hundreds and hundreds" off personnel are involved in the search for a suspect.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley said officers will work in teams and that no single law enforcement official would approach homes to avoid being confused with the suspect.
Residents are also being told to call 911 before opening their doors to anyone claiming to be police to confirm their identity.
Bruley said the suspect was at Hortman's home wearing police clothing and driving an SUV made to resemble a police vehicle, complete with emergency lights. The suspect then used the "trust of that uniform and badge" to get inside the home.
Police believe the suspect escaped out the back of the home after the exchange of gunfire with police. Officials seized the SUV used in the crime.
The FBI is also now fully involved in the manhunt, joining local and state-level officials.
"An unspeakable tragedy has unfolded in Minnesota," Walz said Saturday, addressing Hortman's death.
"Our state lost a great leader and I lost the dearest of friends."
Hortman was a former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives. Hortman and Hoffman were members of the Democratic Party.
"She was a fixture and a giant in Minnesota. She is irreplaceable and will be missed by so many," Walz, a fellow Democrat, told reporters, calling the shooting an "act of targeted political violence."
Walz pledged the state's full cooperation to assist with the developing manhunt.
"I've activated the State Emergency Operations Center. Local law enforcement in Champlin and Brooklyn Park have the full resources of the State of Minnesota behind them," he confirmed on X.
The FBI's Minneapolis field office is assisting local police in their search for Boelter.
Anyone with information can report it by calling the FBI's tipline at 1-800-225-5324 or the BCA at 1-877-996-6222, or send an emailed tip to [email protected].
