This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . The next check for changes will be

You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c23m31ly3vko

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
Manhunt for suspect in Minnesota lawmaker attacks underway Minnesota police find car of suspect Vance Boelter in shootings of two lawmakers
(about 3 hours later)
The manhunt for a suspect in deadly attacks on Minnesota lawmakers continued into its second day on Sunday, as police extended the search over state lines to nearby South Dakota. Police hunting the alleged gunman behind deadly attacks on two Minnesota lawmakers say they have found his car, as stunned neighbours grappled with a suspected political assassination on their doorstep.
Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their home early Saturday morning . Melissa Hortman - the top Democratic legislator in the statehouse - and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed early on Saturday morning.
Another lawmaker, state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot multiple times and injured. State Senator John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times at their home, but survived.
Police are searching for Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old who they say impersonated a police officer while carrying out the attacks. Federal authorities announced a $50,000 reward for information. Police say Vance Luther Boelter, 57, wore a latex mask and posed as a police officer when he shot the victims at their homes in suburban Minneapolis. He exchanged gunfire with police at one crime scene before managing to flee on foot.
Both lawmakers belonged to Minnesota's Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, which is affiliated with the national Democratic Party. On Sunday, officers said they had found an unoccupied car linked to the suspect in Sibley County, about 50 miles (80km) from the murder scene.
Senator Hoffman and his wife underwent surgery on Saturday, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said he was "cautiously optimistic they will survive this assassination attempt." The discovery of the black sedan was alerted to local residents' mobile phones in a message that said: "Suspect not located. Keep your doors locked and vehicles secured."
What we know about the attack on two Minnesota lawmakers A cowboy hat, similar to what Boelter was believed to have been wearing, was found lying on a road nearby.
"Clearly, this is politically motivated," US Senator Amy Klobuchar, a Democrat who represents Minnesota, told NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday morning. Police also said on Sunday that Boelter's wife had been detained in a traffic stop along with three relatives in a car in the city of Onamia, more than 100 miles from the family home, on Saturday morning.
Authorities said they recovered a target list from a vehicle used by the suspect that reportedly contained the names of several Democratic politicians who supported abortion rights, as well as abortion providers. The office of Tina Smith, Minnesota's other US Senator, confirmed to BBC News she was on the list. Jenny Boelter was released without being taken into custody, reports Minnesota ABC News affiliate KSTP.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) added Boelter to their most wanted list, and issued a $50,000 reward for information leading to his arrest and conviction. Police have extended the search over state lines to South Dakota and the FBI have added Boelter to their most wanted list, issuing a $50,000 reward.
"It is really not about any of us, it is this incredible woman that we lost, Melissa Hortman," Klobuchar said. "We think about her family today." Both targeted lawmakers belonged to Minnesota's Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party, which is affiliated with the national Democratic Party.
"I just wish everyone in the world political world knew this woman like we know her in Minnesota. Loved by Democrats and Republicans," Klobuchar said. Hoffman and his wife are awake after undergoing surgery, and are expected to issue a statement when able.
President Donald Trump is aware of the situation, but it was not clear if he would reach out to the state's leadership about the attack. Authorities said from another vehicle used by the suspect they recovered a target list containing the names of state Democratic politicians.
Governor Walz, a Democrat, was presidential candidate Kamala Harris' running mate in the 2024 election. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, congresswoman Ilhan Omar, Minnesota's two US senators, Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith, and state Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison were reportedly on the list.
Despite the frantic search under way across the region, the city of Brooklyn Park, where Rep. Hortman lived, was still and silent on Sunday morning as the neighbourhood came to terms with the deadly attack. "Clearly, this is politically motivated," Klobuchar told NBC News' Meet the Press on Sunday morning.
President Donald Trump, a Republican, told ABC News on Sunday the attack was "a terrible thing".
Investigators say Boelter was disguised as a police officer when he carried out the attacks. He had a vehicle that looked like a police car equipped with flashing emergency lights, officials said.
Police issued images of the suspect as the manhunt continuedPolice issued images of the suspect as the manhunt continued
A police car stood guard outside the Hortman's house, and bright yellow caution tape surrounded the home, now an active crime scene. The gunman first targeted Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, shooting them both multiple times at their home in Champlin at around 02:00 local time on Saturday, authorities said.
Taha Abuisnaineh, who lives across the street, said he and his wife had known the Hortmans for more than 20 years. Soon afterwards, Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park, eight miles away.
Officers arrived at the Hortmans' home and exchanged gunfire with the suspect at around 03:35. The suspect managed to flee, leaving behind his car, authorities said.
A Facebook post from someone identifying himself as a nephew of Yvette Hoffman said she had thrown herself on their daughter during the assassination attempt, "using her body as a shield to save her life".
According to Boelter's CV, he has a background in security and military training.
The city of Brooklyn Park was still and silent on Sunday morning as the neighbourhood came to terms with the deadly attack.
A police car was parked outside the Hortmans' house, and bright yellow caution tape surrounded the property.
Taha Abuisnaineh, who lives across the street, said he and his wife had known the family for more than 20 years.
"They were very nice neighbours in a very quiet neighbourhood," he told the BBC. "You don't see police activity in this neighbourhood. We are very shocked.""They were very nice neighbours in a very quiet neighbourhood," he told the BBC. "You don't see police activity in this neighbourhood. We are very shocked."
Two other nearby residents who did not want to be named said this suburban community was reeling as news spread of the attack. Two other nearby residents who did not want to be named said this suburban community was reeling.
"My next-door neighbour heard the shots," said one. "We've all been texting back and forth.""My next-door neighbour heard the shots," said one. "We've all been texting back and forth."
She and her husband described how they received an annual Christmas card from the Hortmans - and recounted how Representative Hortman got along with local Republican politicians. She and her husband described how they received an annual Christmas card from the Hortmans - and recounted how Hortman got along with local Republican politicians.
"What a big loss for Minnesota," she said."What a big loss for Minnesota," she said.
In Sibley County, where the suspect's car was found, local resident Brian Liebhard also told the BBC of his shock.
"This guy needs to get caught," he said. "I don't agree with everything they [the two politicians] vote for, but this is sad - the guy went wacko."