Minn. shooting suspect believed to be alive, still in area: Official

(NewsNation) — The suspected shooter in this weekend’s deadly attack on two Minnesota state legislators is believed to be alive and likely still in the area, a state official said Sunday.

A vehicle and hat connected with Vance Luther Boelter, 57, were recovered early Sunday morning in Sibley County, Supt. Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension confirmed at a news conference. He said items were found in the vehicle but declined to share information.

Sunday’s news conference was designed, in part, to ask the public for additional leads — and to urge people not to pass on potential misinformation in the case.

“While everybody wants an easy answer, I would encourage everybody online and in our communities to not speculate on what occurred and what the motivation was for this,” Evans said.

Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, just after 3:30 a.m. Saturday. Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot around 2 a.m. at their residence in Champlain, Minnesota but survived the attack.

Suspect identified was former Walz appointee

Authorities said the suspect, Boelter, is a former appointee under Gov. Tim Walz and served a four-year stint on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Boelter also served as a “Director of Security Patrol” for a security company.

Boelter allegedly impersonated a police officer and was driving a vehicle that resembled a police SUV during the shootings. Surveillance images show the suspect wearing a full mask over his head.

Brooklyn Park police said they encountered an individual who fired at them. There was an exchange of gunfire, and the individual escaped.

Suspect’s family interviewed

Police were concentrating their search in Sibley County and weren’t aware of the suspect trying to reach another state or country, such as Canada, Evans said.

“We’re certainly operating as though he’s still alive,” he said.

Evans said police met with Boelter’s wife and other family members as a routine part of the investigation. He said they were cooperative and no one was taken into custody.

Asked if Boelter has received assistance, Evans replied: “He’s certainly been in contact with individuals.”

Evans commented on reports that authorities had acquired a “manifesto” belonging to the suspect. He said police had obtained a notebook that includes a list of names of lawmakers and others and written “thoughts.”

Published reports have suggested Boelter was opposed to abortion and may have targeted his victims based on their stances. Walz has characterized Rep. Hortman’s killing as “a politically motivated assassination.”

Minnesota residents advised to stay indoors

The FBI is offering a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to Boelter’s arrest. Authorities said anyone who sees the suspect should call 911.

An emergency alert issued on Sunday morning said authorities would be asking residents to search properties nearby where Boelter’s vehicle was found.

Residents were once again urged to keep their doors locked and vehicles secured.

President Trump’s response

Trump said in a statement that the FBI would join in the investigation.

“Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”

Speaking to ABC News on Sunday, the president said he had not yet contacted Gov. Walz, but was considering it despite their differences.

“Well, it’s a terrible thing,” Trump said of the assassination.

“I think he’s a terrible governor. I think he’s a grossly incompetent person. But I may, I may call him, I may call other people too,”

Walz: ‘Shooting a tragic act’

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz described the shootings as a “tragic act.”

“The democracy and the debates in the halls of Congress, in state houses, in school boards, is a way to settle our differences peacefully and move society to a better place,” Walz said.

“The suspect exploited the trust that our uniforms are meant to represent,” added Bob Jacobson, Commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Public Safety. “That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us that wear the badge with honor and responsibility.”

Organization denounces the attack

In response to the shootings, pro-life organization Minnesota Citizens Concerned for Life (MCCL) issued a statement clarifying that the attacks are “antithetical” to its values.

“We are horrified to learn of the assassination of Rep. Melissa Hortman and the shooting of Sen. John Hoffman. We join with Minnesotans across the state in praying for the victims and their families.

“While we do not yet know the motivations of the shooter, his actions are completely antithetical to the mission of MCCL and the pro-life movement. MCCL has always worked peacefully to advance protections for the vulnerable and has always deplored and unequivocally condemned violence. We pray that the shooter will be swiftly caught and brought to justice.”

The Associated Press contributed to this report.