WASHINGTON, June 16 (KUNA) -- Minnesota prosecutors on Monday indicated a suspect in the murders of a state legislator and her husband, and the shooting of another lawmaker and his wife, an incident Governor Tim Walz described as "political violence." The US Department of Justice said in a statement that Vance Boelter, of Green Isle, Minnesota, has been charged by federal complaint with stalking and murdering Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, in addition to stalking and shooting Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife.
General Attorney Pamela Bondi said that these horrific acts "have shocked the nation and united us in grief," and that these "acts of violence will not go unanswered." "According to the charges, the defendant had a list of possible targets and went to the homes of the public officials to conduct violent acts," said FBI Director Kash Patel, adding, "this type of violence is unacceptable, and the FBI stands united with our law enforcement partners to find and hold accountable anyone who commits such despicable acts." In a statement released today by Governor Tim Waltz following the apprehension, he said, "After a two-day manhunt in which hundreds of law enforcement officials left their families to run into danger and deliver justice for Melissa and Mark Hortman, Vance Boelter has been apprehended." "Boelter's unthinkable actions ended the life of someone who shaped the core of who we are as a state ... Someone who sacrificed everything for public service", he added.
He went on to say that "As a country we cannot become numb to this violence ... the way we move forward and solve the problems facing our nation is not through hate. It is not through violence. It is through humility and grace and civility." US President Donald Trump announced on his Truth Social platform that the Attorney General and the FBI are investigating the incident, and anyone involved will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law, as he stressed that horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States. (end) asj.aq