A suspect was apprehended late Sunday night following a two-day manhunt involving nearly 200 law enforcement personnel. The man is accused of targeting Minnesota lawmakers, killing state senator Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their residence.
Vance Bolter was arrested near his farm in Green Isle, Minnesota. He is also linked to the shooting of police officer. Additionally, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot at their home, both undergoing surgery and currently receiving medical care, according to Governor Tim Waltz, who labeled the attack as politically motivated.
Early Sunday morning, authorities updated their search for Bolter after discovering a vehicle and a cowboy hat not far from his home. Despite interviewing his wife and relatives, investigators had trouble locating him for over ten hours.
Officers eventually spotted him fleeing into the woods. They confirmed his presence in the area using trail camera footage.
Law enforcement established a perimeter and utilized a helicopter to close in, taking approximately 90 minutes to do so, as described by Brew during a press conference. Drones were employed to assist in tracking him down before he was ultimately captured.
Bolter was previously employed by a local security company known as The Praetorian Security Force, which touted extensive experience across several countries, including Eastern Europe and parts of Africa and the Middle East.
Recently, he worked at two funeral homes in the Minneapolis area before heading back to Africa. Upon return, he performed tasks such as organ donation from deceased individuals, according to various reports.
Bolter has ties to multiple religious organizations focused on spreading Christianity in areas with significant Muslim populations. Notably, there’s a video of him delivering a sermon to a sizable church in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
A roommate described Bolter as a strong supporter of former President Trump and labeled him a “very good man.” However, law enforcement found a list of individuals, including Senator Tina Smith and flyers related to anti-Trump “King” protests, connected to Bolter.
In response to the incident, all planned “King” protests in Minnesota have been canceled, with many residents opting to steer clear of potential demonstrations. Thousands had previously participated in peaceful gatherings.
