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Authorities have reportedly identified a suspect wanted in connection with an early-morning shooting that left one Minnesota lawmaker and her husband dead, and a second lawmaker and his wife injured.
Vance Luther Boelter, 57, is being sought for his alleged connection with the attack, two sources familiar with the matter told the Associated Press.
Boelter is reportedly the CEO of Red Lion Group, based in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Praetorian Guard Security Services, according to Minnesota Africans United’s website.
MINNESOTA LAWMAKER, SPOUSE, SHOT DEAD IN ‘POLITICALLY MOTIVATED ASSASSINATION’: GOV. WALZ
Boelter’s family members and Minnesota Africans United did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
“I have been doing projects in the Democratic Republic of Congo in Central Africa for the last three years with the Red Lion Group,” Boelter wrote on his LinkedIn page last month, noting that he is currently open to work.
Boelter reportedly earned his undergraduate degree in International Relations at St. Cloud University, and obtained a Masters of Science in Management and Doctorate in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service from Cardinal Stritch University.
Democratic–Farmer–Labor Party (DFL) Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman were fatally shot in Brooklyn Park early Saturday in what Gov. Tim Walz described as “targeted political violence.”
“We must all, in Minnesota and across the country, stand against all forms of political violence,” Walz said. “Those responsible for this will be held accountable.”
In a related shooting, DFL Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot in Champlin. They are expected to survive and are out of surgery.
According to authorities, the gunman was allegedly dressed as a uniformed police officer and was driving a vehicle that appeared to be outfitted as a fake patrol car.
“[The] suspect exploited the trust of our uniforms, what our uniforms are meant to represent,” Public Safety Commissioner Bob Jacobson said. “That betrayal is deeply disturbing to those of us who wear the badge with honor and responsibility.”
According to authorities, the gunman allegedly escaped through a back door of Hortman’s house following an exchange of gunfire with police.
State Police Col. Christina Bogojevic asked people to not attend any of the “No Kings” protests scheduled throughout the state Saturday. Bogojevic said authorities do not have any evidence that the suspect would be targeting the protests, but added that police had discovered a pile of “No Kings” flyers inside a vehicle believed to be tied to the gunman.
This is a breaking news story and will be updated.
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