Minnesota BCA ID’s Officer Who Shot at Alleged Lawmaker Killer, Suspect’s Wife Makes Statement

St. Paul, MN (KROC-AM News)- New details have emerged in the shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses. 

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Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark lost their lives when they were shot in the Brooklyn Park home on the morning of June 14. 

Moments before the shooting, Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were severely injured in a shooting at their home in nearby Champlin. 

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Law enforcement arrested the suspected gunman in both shootings, identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, after a more than 40 hour manhunt. He is facing charges in both federal and state court. 

On Thursday, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) released new details about law enforcement’s first encounter with Boelter outside of the Hortmans home. 

The wife of the accused assassin also released a statement on Thursday. 

Minnesota BCA ID's Officer Who Fired at Alleged Lawmaker Killer

The BCA says Brooklyn Park Police officers proactively responded to the Hortmans home for a welfare check after learning about the shooting at the nearby Hoffman residence. 

Upon arrival, officers found a vehicle made to look like a police vehicle and Boelter in the driveway of the Hortmans home. The BCA indicates an exchange of gunfire took place between Boelter and one of the officers before Boelter escaped. 

Officials identified the officer who fired his weapon as Zachary Baumtrog. He has nine years of law enforcement experience and is currently on critical incident leave. 

BCA agents found spent shell casings at the scene and are reviewing footage of the incident that was captured by officer Baumtrog’s body-worn camera. The use-of-force investigation is ongoing. 

Wife of Accused Lawmaker Killer Calls Shootings a Betrayal

Also on Thursday Jennifer, the wife of Vance Boelter, issued a statement through a criminal defense law firm representing her. 

The statement says in part that the violence of June 14 does not align with the family’s beliefs. It also expresses condolences to the Hortman and Hoffman families. 

Jennifer Boelter also said the family has cooperated with the investigation from the moment law enforcement first contacted them. She also thanked authorities for apprehending Vance Boelter before more harm could be done.

Melissa Hortman will become the first woman in history to lie in state at the Minnesota State Capitol Friday. A private funeral service will follow on Saturday.