Vance Boelter taken into custody in lawmaker shootings in Minnesota, sources say

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Vance Boelter, the man who authorities believe shot two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses in politically motivated shootings early Saturday morning, is now in custody.

Multiple sources have confirmed to WCCO on Sunday evening that Boelter, 57, was taken into custody near his home in Green Isle, Sibley County.

Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home while state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot in their home in Champlin. The Hoffmans are out of surgery and receiving care. 

The manhunt for Boelter lasted over 24 hours, as authorities issued shelter-in-place orders for parts of the northwest metro. 

Officials said Brooklyn Park police arrived at Hortman’s home around 3:30 a.m. and found a car that looked like a police SUV with emergency lights on. Boelter then left the home and exchanged gunfire with police officers before fleeing.

In a press conference, officials said he was last seen in Minneapolis, wearing a light-colored cowboy hat and a dark shirt with light pants. Officials said he should be considered “armed and dangerous.”

Gov. Tim Walz called Hortman’s death a “political assassination” and ordered flags to fly at half staff to honor her and her husband. Hortman, who served as the Speaker Emerita of the Minnesota House, leaves behind two children.

This story will be updated.