Wife of Minnesota shooting suspect detained with cash, weapons, passports as manhunt continues

Jennifer Boelter was taken in for questioning after officers stopped a vehicle she was traveling in with three other relatives, according to 5 Eyewitness News. The stop occurred as the manhunt intensified for her husband, who is the main suspect in the killing of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and the shooting of Democratic State Sen. John Hoffman.

Both of their spouses were also shot, according to Gov. Tim Walz. Only Hoffman and his wife survived.

Police sources said the stop was a high-priority operation involving roughly a dozen squad cars and was not random. The scene remained active for up to three hours as officers searched the vehicle and spoke to its occupants. No one was placed under arrest as of Saturday night, but all four people were being questioned.

Authorities reportedly recovered a weapon, ammunition, cash, and passports from inside the car, according to two law enforcement officials familiar with the case.

Boelter, 57, is accused of carrying out what officials have called a “politically motivated assassination,” reports CNN. He was last seen leaving Rep. Hortman’s home dressed as a law enforcement officer. Witnesses said he fired on responding officers before escaping in a vehicle made to resemble a police cruiser.

Boelter previously served on a state board with Hoffman.

President Donald Trump said that the FBI is leading the investigation and is offering a reward of $50,000 for information “leading to the arrest and conviction” of Boelter.

CNN reported that authorities now believe Boetler is no longer in the area. Photos of Boelter have been sent out to border patrol personnel to help prevent him from fleeing to Canada.