LATEST: Manhunt for Vance Boelter continues: Police say suspect remains at large

The nationwide manhunt for Vance Luther Boelter continues.

By
Jenna Gloeb and Anthony Gockowski
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Police search in the area where a vehicle connected to Boelter was discovered in Sibley County. (Photo by Rachel Miller/Henderson Independent)

UPDATE 5:50 p.m. — State officials said during a press conference Sunday evening that the suspect in the assassination of House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband remains at large.

The nationwide manhunt for Vance Luther Boelter continues as Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said Boelter is wanted on both a state level murder warrant and a federal warrant for unlawful fleeing.

“He is not in custody at this time. This remains a very active investigation,” Evans said.

He said teams will continue to be active in the Sibley County area where a vehicle connected to Boelter and his cowboy hat were found.

Police located items in the vehicle that are “relevant to this investigation,” Evans commented. “All options are open” as to where Boelter may be headed.

“We have not concluded exactly how he is getting around the area at this time. It could be in multiple ways that he has traveled,” said Evans.

Police are operating as if Boelter is still alive and believe he is at this time. Officers have met with Boelter’s wife and other family members to “really understand what’s going on.”

“He’s certainly been in contact” with other individuals, but police don’t know if Boelter has received active assistance.

Evans clarified that the “manifesto” that was found is not a “traditional manifesto,” but a notebook with lawmakers listed and “other thoughts.”

“I don’t want the public to have the impression that there’s this long manifesto that’s providing all of this information and detail and then associated with names,” Evans said.

“So far we have not located any prior threats with this individual towards anybody,” he added. “We have no indication that the individual that is wanted here did anything other than conduct these acts by himself.”

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12:30 p.m. — A statewide manhunt is underway for Vance Boelter, the suspect in the shocking assassinations of Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the attempted murders of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in a pair of early Saturday morning home invasions authorities are calling politically motivated.

Boelter’s vehicle found in Green Isle

Around 10:30 a.m. Sunday, residents near Green Isle, Minn., received an emergency alert stating that Boelter’s vehicle had been located in the area. Authorities confirm he has not been found.

Videos showed law enforcement traveling to the area Sunday morning.

Photos from the Henderson Independent showed police sweeping the woods in the area in Sibley County where Boelter’s vehicle was found.

SWAT activity and surveillance footage in Minneapolis

Video obtained by Liz Collin of Alpha News appears to show Boelter leaving a north Minneapolis residence early Saturday morning wearing a cowboy hat.

In the footage, he breaks out the window of a car and walks away calmly.

Alpha News also obtained video of the MPD SWAT team surrounding a Minneapolis home just after 1 p.m. Saturday afternoon. Boelter rented a room at the home.

Boelter’s wife Jenny detained; cash and passports recovered

Law enforcement sources confirmed to Alpha News that Boelter’s wife, Jenny Boelter, was detained Saturday morning in Onamia. Investigators recovered a large amount of cash and multiple passports with her. Authorities believe Boelter may have withdrawn money from a bank following the shootings.

According to sources, Boelter had been traveling frequently between locations and was known to show up at the Minneapolis residence two to three times per week, often arriving at midnight and leaving before sunrise.

Hoffman nephew calls shooting ‘a political act of terrorism’

A relative of Sen. Hoffman posted a harrowing account on Facebook, describing how a man dressed as a police officer broke into the senator’s home and shot both him and his wife multiple times. According to the post, Hoffman’s wife threw herself over their daughter, shielding her during the attack.

“Early this morning, an absolute vile piece of shit dressed as a cop broke into my aunt and uncle’s house and shot him 6 and my aunt 5 times in a political act of terrorism,” wrote Mat Ollig, Hoffman’s nephew. “My aunt threw herself on her daughter, using her body as a shield to save her life.”

He described the Hoffmans as beloved public servants who often work across political lines and are motivated by a deep commitment to community service.

“Yvette helped GOP Jim Abeler market his startup speakeasy, and John regularly worked across the aisle to push bills that would help Minnesotans.”

Both victims are reportedly recovering following emergency surgery.

Political motivations remain under investigation

Authorities have not yet disclosed a motive in the shootings, but sources say the attacks appear targeted and politically driven.

Anyone with information on Boelter’s whereabouts is urged to contact law enforcement immediately. He is considered armed and dangerous.

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Boelter.

This is a developing story. Check back for updates. 

 

Jenna Gloeb
Website

Jenna Gloeb is an Edward R. Murrow Award-winning journalist, media producer, public speaker, and screenwriter. Most recently, she worked as a reporter and on-air host for CCX Media. Jenna is a Minnesota native and resides in the Twin Cities with her husband, son, daughter, and two dogs.

Anthony Gockowski
Website

Anthony Gockowski is Editor-in-Chief of Alpha News. He previously worked as an editor for The Minnesota Sun and Campus Reform, and wrote for the Daily Caller.

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