Authorities are searching for a 57-year-old man suspected of shooting two Minnesota lawmakers and they're asking now for the public's help.
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety has identified the suspect being sought as 57-year-old Vance Boelter. At this point, they have no information pointing to other individuals being involved.
Boelter is 6 ft. 1 inches and weighs approximately 220 pounds. He has brown hair and at one point Saturday morning was seen wearing a mask.
Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her spouse were shot and killed early Saturday in their Brooklyn Park home, near Edinburgh Golf Course.
A second state lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, were shot multiple times in Champlin.
According to the Hennepin County Medical Examiner, Hortman and her husband, Mark, were both shot multiple times. Hortman died at their home, Mark died at North Memorial Hospital in Robbinsdale.
Both Hortman and Hoffman are Democrats.
There are reports that Hoffman was shot six times and his wife, Yvette, five times, and both are expected to survive.
Hoffman's daughter was also at home at the time of the shooting and reportedly was not hurt, and a family member says Yvette shielded the girl from harm.
Authorities says the suspect impersonated a police officer when he entered the two homes early Saturday morning.
Found inside a vehicle left at Hortman's home was a manifesto that included other Democratic politicians and abortion providers.
Boelter lived in Green Isle, but rented a room in the Twin Cities for work purposes, according to his roommate and long-time friend 59-year-old David Carlson.
Talking with reporters, Carlson broke down when he read a text sent to him and another friend by Boelter Saturday morning after the shootings.
The suspect managed to avoid capture after exchanging gunfire with Brooklyn Park police.
A shelter-in-place order in the area where the shootings occurred was in effect for hours.
Boelter is assumed to be armed and extremely dangerous. Anyone with information is urged to call 911 immediately. Do not approach him.
He was last seen wearing a light colored cowboy hat, dark colored shirt or coat, light pants and a dark bag.
If you have any information that can help in the search for Boelter, call local police or the Minnesota BCA at 877-996-6222 or email bca.tips@state.mn.us. You can also watch the DPS briefing here.
