Suspected murderer arrested: Deadly shots at MPs – there were even more victims on his list

A large-scale manhunt is underway in Minnesota following the assassination attempts on two US Democratic politicians: A gunman killed a congresswoman and her husband in their home in the northern US state, and also shot and injured a senator and his wife. The suspected perpetrator, Vance Luther Boelter, was arrested late Sunday evening in the rural community of Green Isle after a nearly two-day manhunt, as the Independent reports. Authorities had previously warned that he was "armed and dangerous." There are indications that his opposition to abortion may have been one of the reasons he committed the crime.

Minnesota Governor Tim Walz called it an "act of targeted political violence." The FBI offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to Boelter's arrest. "We believe he will attempt to leave the area," said Drew Evans, head of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Investigation. According to the BBC , Boelter was spotted on video footage in the Minneapolis area and allegedly committed his crimes in the city's suburbs.

According to initial findings, the alleged perpetrator visited his victims in their homes disguised as a police officer. He posed as an officer, knocked on the door of Senator John Hoffman and his wife in Champlin before entering the house and firing "numerous shots." Both were injured, but according to the Independent, their condition is "cautiously optimistic."

About an hour and a half later, he carried out the fatal attack on Representative Melissa Hortman, former Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband Mark in Brooklyn Park. Both were killed by "multiple gunshot wounds," according to the BBC. Police officers exchanged fire with Boelter near Hortman's home, but he initially managed to escape. His vehicle was later impounded.

In the seized car, authorities found at least three assault rifles, two pistols, a bulletproof vest, a mask, and a gold-colored police-style badge. They also found a list of names and addresses of other politicians and officials, according to the Independent.

Boelter apparently worked for a security agency and was listed as the head of security patrols. His roommate reported that Boelter had texted him shortly before the crime, telling him he was going away for a while and that he "might die soon."

Senator Amy Klobuchar, who represents Minnesota in the U.S. Senate, provided initial clues about the perpetrator's possible motivation: "The attack was politically motivated, and there is clearly a connection to abortion," Klobuchar said. This assumption is based on the groups included in the suspect's list. Representative Hortman had previously publicly advocated for abortion rights.