Man suspected in the fatal shooting of a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband captured
UPDATE (11:22 PM): Investigators are providing more details about the assassination of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband.
Federal prosecutors say the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, went to the homes of four Minnesota state politicians with the intent to kill them late Friday night into Saturday morning.
"It's pretty clear from the evidence that he's been planning these attacks for quite some time. There's voluminous writings, as you've seen in the reporting that were found both in his car and his house, about his planning, lists of names of individuals. In terms of a why, it's unclear," said Joseph H. Thompson, Acting U.S. Attorney District of Minnesota.
Boelter is facing several federal charges, including two counts of murder and multiple firearms and stalking charges.
Prosecutors have not yet announced any terrorism charges, but at a briefing Monday, they said more charges could be coming.
At the briefing, law enforcement described the details of the attacks, saying two of the four houses Boelter visited were unoccupied at the time, and police arrived on scene as he was confronting the Hortmans.
"Had they not foiled the plan, you know, essentially took his vehicle away from him, which had filed all his maps, all His Names, all this weaponry, I would be very scared what it would look like over the next few hours, if had we not done that," said Chief Mark Bruley with the Brooklyn Park Police Department.
Federal prosecutors say that while it is an option, it's not yet clear if they will seek the death penalty for Boelter.
(CNN, KYMA/KECY) - The man suspected in the assassination and attempted assassination of two Minnesota lawmakers is now in custody.
The capture of Vance Boelter was confirmed by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and authorities during a news conference late Sunday night.
Boelter, 57, is accused of killing Democratic State House member Melissa Hortman and her husband at their Brooklyn Park home early Saturday.
Boelter is also accused of wounding State Senator John Hoffman and his wife only a few miles away.
A massive manhunt for Boelter was launched, involving federal, state, and local law enforcement.
The 43-hour search was described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota history.
Authorities said Boelter was captured after 9:00 p.m. Central Sunday night in a rural area near the home where he lived with his wife and children in Sibley County, Minnesota.
A state patrol lieutenant colonel said Boelter crawled toward law enforcement teams and was put under arrest.
No one was injured in his capture and use of force was not needed.
Investigators say police earlier found a manifesto and a list of 70 potential targets in Boelter's vehicle.
Governor Walz also updated the condition of Senator Hoffman late Sunday. Walz said Hoffman was out of a final surgery and "moving towards recovery."
