by EuroNews with AP
It’s published update
The man accused of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses was arrested Sunday night and charged with two counts of murder, Gov. Tim Waltz said.
Vance Belter is suspected of killing Democratic state representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at her home early Saturday. He is also suspected of shooting and wounding Democrat Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in their residence.
“One man’s inconceivable behavior changed the state of Minnesota,” Gov. Waltz said at a press conference.
Bolter was arrested Sunday after a massive manhunt in a rural area of Sibley County, southwestern Minneapolis. Police say he was armed and disguised in a police uniform when he was detained.
He faces two counts of two murders and two counts of two attempted murders.
Earlier on Sunday, authorities received reports of people in the woods and began a search using helicopters and officers on foot. Belter surrenders and raw him from the forest to the officer before being handcuffed and detained.
Belter is said to have been the first to attack Hoffman at their home early on Saturday. Their daughter called 911 just after 2am local time and reported that a masked individual came to the door and shot his parents.
Authorities say they arrived just in time to witness Mark Hortmann shooting through the open door of Boltmann’s house. Officers traded a gunfight with the suspect before he escaped, causing a manhunt.
Melissa Hortman was found dead inside the house.
Police do not provide any motivation for Boerter’s actions. But the two law enforcement officials told The Associated Press that a list of about 70 names has been recovered from fake police vehicles remaining at the scene. The book included names of prominent state and federal lawmakers, community leaders, abortion rights advocates and references to healthcare facilities, officials said.
According to the Records, Belter is a former political appointee who previously served on the same state workforce development committee as Senator Hoffman. It is unclear whether the two have a personal relationship.
On Sunday evening, U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar shared Yvette Hoffman’s statement, expressing her gratitude for the public’s support.
“John is now enduring a lot of surgeries and is getting closer to leaving the woods every hour,” Yvette Hoffman said in a text shared by Klobuchar on social media. “He got nine bullet hits. I’ve taken eight times. We’re very fortunate that we’re both alive.
