Crime
Emergency Alert Issued as Police Launch Door-to-Door Search After Suspect Vance Boelter Vehicle Found in Sibley County
SIBLEY COUNTY, MN — A large-scale manhunt is underway after law enforcement located the vehicle of 57-year-old Vance Boelter, the suspect accused of carrying out a targeted shooting spree that left two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses among the victims.
The vehicle was discovered near Highway 25 and 301st Avenue in rural Sibley County, prompting an immediate emergency alert and coordinated door-to-door searches by multiple law enforcement agencies.
Authorities are warning the public that Boelter is considered armed and extremely dangerous.
Boelter, a Green Isle resident and former appointee to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Council, is accused of impersonating a police officer early Friday morning while conducting armed attacks at the homes of elected officials.
According to investigators, Boelter fatally shot former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their Brooklyn Park residence. Hours earlier, he allegedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their Champlin home, leaving both critically injured.
Law enforcement officials say Boelter was wearing a realistic latex mask and driving a vehicle modified to resemble a law enforcement unit at the time of the attacks.
A manifesto recovered from the abandoned vehicle reportedly listed dozens of current and former political figures, abortion rights advocates, and public officials as potential future targets.
Authorities have issued a shelter-in-place advisory for residents within a multi-mile radius of the area where the vehicle was found.
Local officials are urging residents to remain indoors, lock all doors, secure vehicles, and immediately report any suspicious activity by calling 911.
The search for Boelter remains active and ongoing.
Authorities have identified the man shot and killed Friday afternoon in a parking lot outside a Little Caesars restaurant in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood.
The victim has been named as Stevens Jeffrey, 29, according to police and the Cook County Medical Examiner’s Office.
The shooting occurred in the 2600 block of West Cermak Road near Rockwell Street at approximately 1:10 p.m., according to the Chicago Police Department (CPD).
Preliminary reports indicate that Jeffrey was sitting in his vehicle when he was approached by an unknown vehicle.
An armed individual exited that vehicle and opened fire, striking Jeffrey multiple times in the face and body.
Emergency responders arrived on the scene, where Jeffrey was pronounced dead. He was discovered inside his vehicle with his two young children, ages 4 and 6, who were unharmed.
Both children were transported to Stroger Hospital for precautionary evaluation.
The shooting took place in the parking lot of a Little Caesars restaurant, where investigators recovered multiple shell casings and placed numerous evidence markers on the ground.
As of Friday evening, no suspects are in custody, and detectives from the CPD Area Four Homicide Unit are leading the investigation. Police have not released information on a possible motive.
Authorities are urging anyone with information about this homicide to contact Chicago Police or submit an anonymous tip at CPDTip.com.