FBI offers reward: Police identify fugitive Minnesota assassin

In Minnesota, a gunman posing as a police officer murders a US politician and her husband. When police arrest him, he flees after a shootout, leaving behind a hit list. Authorities fear further attacks.

Following the fatal shooting in the US state of Minnesota, a large-scale manhunt is underway for the perpetrator. At the same time, a debate about politically motivated violence has flared up again in the US. "It's terrible that public servants have to worry about their personal safety in such a real and frightening way," said Democratic US Senator for Minnesota Tina Smith in an interview with NPR.

Early Saturday morning local time, a gunman killed a Democratic state legislator, Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, in their home in Brooklyn Park. In another attack in nearby Champlin, a Democratic state senator, John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, were also shot and seriously injured. Authorities believe the attacks were politically motivated. There are concerns that other people may be in danger.

The perpetrator, identified as Vance B., was still on the run late Saturday evening local time. The suspect is a 57-year-old man who, according to US media research, works for a private security company. The company's website states that he has served in crisis regions such as the West Bank, the Gaza Strip, and Lebanon and has received training from members of the US military, among others. "Do not approach him. He is considered armed and dangerous," said an official.

Trump condemns attack

Smith is one of several officials on a list that law enforcement officers found in the suspected perpetrator's vehicle, along with a large amount of ammunition and a Father's Day greeting card. According to CNN, the list included politicians from Minnesota and other states, as well as abortion rights advocates. Authorities therefore believe that other people may be at risk.

Knowing this certainly bothered her, said Senator Smith. She had seen her fellow Democrats Hortman and Hoffman at a dinner just hours before the attacks. "It's just hard to believe that this happened last night."

Several other politicians, both Democrats and Republicans, expressed similar sentiments. US President Donald Trump strongly condemned the attack in Minnesota, calling it a "targeted attack on public servants." He announced that all those involved would be prosecuted "to the fullest extent of the law." His Democratic predecessor, Joe Biden, called for unity against politically motivated violence at the X Congress, saying that hatred and extremism should have no place in the USA.

Assassin posed as police officer

The public was asked for assistance in the manhunt. The FBI offered a reward of up to $50,000 (approximately €43,370) for information. A friend of the suspect tearfully told CNN that he had known him as a "loving, caring guy." He also said he didn't know why he did it. Whether the suspected perpetrator acted alone remains unclear.

Police had taken action following the attack on the Hoffman couple and, as a precaution, searched the Hortmans' home. There, officers encountered a man in a police uniform who was posing as an officer. A car with flashing blue lights was parked in the driveway. When the officers confronted the man, he opened fire, and a gunfire ensued. According to authorities, the suspect fled into the house and then from the scene. Inside, officers found Hortman and her husband.