Gambiaj.com – (Minnesota, United States) – Vance Boelter, the man accused of killing a top Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and wounding another state senator and his wife, was captured Sunday evening after what officials described as the largest manhunt in state history.
Boelter, 44, was arrested in a wooded area near his home in Sibley County following a 43-hour search involving drones, helicopters, infrared technology, and nearly two dozen SWAT teams.
The massive operation came after the Saturday morning shootings of Democratic State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, who were found dead, and State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, who survived and remain hospitalized.
Authorities say Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder, according to a criminal complaint obtained by the Minneapolis Star Tribune. If convicted, Boelter could face up to 40 years in prison for each murder charge and up to 20 years for each attempted murder count.
“This was the largest manhunt in the state’s history,” said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley at a press briefing. “It involved hundreds of detectives and the cooperation of local, state, and federal agencies, including the FBI, ATF, and U.S. Marshals Service.”
Critical Breakthrough from a Trail Camera
The breakthrough came Sunday afternoon when a resident’s trail camera captured an image matching Boelter’s description. The photo led SWAT teams to the heavily wooded area, where they set up a tight perimeter. Using infrared technology, officers were able to locate Boelter, who was eventually coaxed out and “crawled to law enforcement teams” before being taken into custody without incident, said Minnesota State Patrol Lt. Col. Jeremy Geiger.
No officers were injured during the operation.
Minnesota Department of Public Safety Superintendent Drew Evans credited the rapid response of officers with preventing further bloodshed. After Hoffman and his wife were shot at their home, police proactively checked on Hortman’s residence and discovered the fatal scene. Evans said officials are “confident” Boelter acted alone but emphasized that investigators will continue to explore any possible accomplices.
The attack has sent shockwaves through Minnesota’s political community. Hortman, the Democratic House Majority Leader, was remembered by Governor Tim Walz as “the core of who our values were.”
“These unthinkable acts of violence have altered the state of Minnesota,” Walz said. “As a country, we cannot become numb to this violence. We are a deeply divided nation… But the way forward is not through hate. It is through humility, grace, and civility.”
Walz urged the community to honor Hortman’s “selfless, pragmatic, gentle public service” as Minnesotans begin to heal from the tragedy.
Boelter is currently being held pending arraignment. Investigators have not publicly disclosed a motive.
