As law enforcement agencies continue their massive manhunt for a man who fatally shot a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband in Minnesota's Brooklyn Park early Saturday, a chilling discovery inside his fake police vehicle is shedding light on what may have motivated the deadly rampage.
He also opened fire at another Democratic Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were seriously wounded by gunshots.
Authorities revealed that the suspect, identified by police sources as Vance Boelter, had outfitted an SUV to resemble a police cruiser, complete with lights, a badge, a Taser, and tactical clothing. But what investigators found inside the car has now added a disturbing layer to the case.
A massive stack of handwritten "No Kings" flyers was recovered from the vehicle, according to state patrol officials, linking the suspect to a growing wave of anti-Trump protests planned nationwide for Saturday, including across Minnesota.
Officials also recovered several AK-style firearms from the suspect's vehicle, a person told Associated Press.
“The photo is of flyers inside the vehicle of the suspect in today’s shootings,” read a post by Minnesota State Patrol alongside an image of the leaflets, which were found on the seat of the ditched car.
The flyers, which simply read “No Kings,” echoed the theme of demonstrations denouncing President Donald Trump. Although no direct connection has yet been confirmed, authorities said the suspect also carried writings that mentioned the names of several lawmakers, including the victims.
Despite the discovery, "there is no confirmed link between the gunman and the No Kings event," said State Patrol Col Christina Bogojevic.
The attacks, which officials are calling "a politically-motivated assassination," began around 2am when the suspect, dressed in a vest, blue pants, and shirt, posed as a law enforcement officer and opened fire inside the home of state Sen. John Hoffman in Champlin. Both Hoffman and his wife were seriously wounded.
Moments later, the gunman moved on to the Brooklyn Park residence of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman. He fatally shot the Democrat and her husband before engaging in a gunfight with responding officers. The shooter managed to flee on foot and remains at large.
Governor Tim Walz, who had been scheduled to speak at one of the now-cancelled anti-Trump rallies, described the killings as a targeted political attack.
“This was a politically-motivated assassination,” Walz said.
In response, state officials issued an urgent warning to Minnesotans, asking them to avoid demonstrations across the state “out of an abundance of caution.”
“Given the targeted shootings of state lawmakers overnight, we are asking the public to not attend today’s planned demonstrations across Minnesota,” state patrol said in a statement.
The attack sent shockwaves across the state, with organizers of several “No Kings” protests opting to cancel events in the wake of the tragedy. But some demonstrations went ahead regardless, despite warnings of further potential threats.
Police continue to search for Boelter, while also combing through the materials in his abandoned vehicle, including the chilling flyers, to determine whether the shooting spree was part of a broader plot.
Officials are expected to provide further updates as the manhunt and investigation progress.