ATF official ‘absolutely’ confident suspect in Minnesota lawmaker shootings will be caught soon

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The search for the Minnesota shooter, who allegedly targeted two Democratic lawmakers and their spouses at their respective homes, continued into its second day on Sunday. Authorities informed Fox News that they are “exploring all avenues” to find the suspect.

The FBI has announced a $50,000 reward for any information that could lead to the arrest of 57-year-old Vance L. Boelter. He is accused of fatally shooting former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their Brooklyn Park residence early on Saturday. Additionally, State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and injured at their home in Champlin, located approximately nine miles away. 

Travis Riddle, the ATF Special Agent-in-Charge of the St. Paul Field Division, expressed to Fox News his strong confidence that the alleged shooter will be apprehended soon.

“I want to speak on behalf of all ATF members when I say that we all grieve the victims of this senseless tragedy. As far as where we stand at this point, we’re still actively seeking the suspect in conjunction with our local, state and federal partners,” Riddle said during an appearance on “Fox & Friends” early Sunday. “Potentially, there’s always a threat. He is considered armed and dangerous. At this point, we don’t know what his access is to additional weapons.” 

Boelter reportedly owns a security company and was dressed as a law enforcement officer when he allegedly carried out the shootings.

“Following the exchange of gunfire at the second residence when he fled on foot, there was identification that was located on the scene that helped us ID the suspect,” Riddle said. 

“When officers arrived, they exchanged gunfire with the suspect, and they didn’t have the house surrounded,” Riddle said, explaining how the suspect had fled the scene. “There was only a couple of officers who responded, so while they were seeking cover and also trying to render aid to victims, the suspect was able to flee from the residence undetected.”  

“He got lucky,” Riddle said. “I don’t think his tactical expertise would have surpassed law enforcement response.”

Officials have not disclosed a potential motive for the shootings. 

Both targeted lawmakers had crossed party lines to vote against continuing free healthcare for illegal immigrants days earlier. 

Authorities also said “No Kings” fliers were found in the suspect’s vehicle. 

Minnesota law enforcement

Law enforcement officers including local police, sheriffs and the FBI, stage less than a mile from a shooting in Brooklyn Park, Minn. on Saturday, June 14, 2025.  (Alex Kormann/Star Tribune via AP)

President Donald Trump said Saturday he had been briefed on what he called the “terrible shooting that took place in Minnesota, which appears to be a targeted attack against State Lawmakers.”

He said U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi and the FBI are investigating the situation and “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,” Trump wrote on TRUTH Social. “God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!”

Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., whose husband, Paul Pelosi, was injured in a 2022 hammer attack at their California home while the speaker emerita was in Washington, D.C., last year, also reacted to the Minnesota shooting.

“Paul and I are heartbroken by targeted shootings in the homes of MN Senator Hoffman, Speaker Emerita Hortman and their spouses which are a shocking and abhorrent manifestation of political violence in our country,” Pelosi wrote on X Saturday night. “Unfortunately, we know the tragedy of when political violence hits home very well. All of us must remember that it’s not only the act of violence, but also the reaction to it, that can normalize it.”

“This climate of politically motivated violence must end,” she said. “Our prayers go out to the families of the victims, their friends and supporters in Minnesota with the certainty that the assassin in this heinous act will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

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