A trail camera image captured in rural Sibley County, Minn., helped bring an end to a massive manhunt for Vance Luther Boelter, the man accused of killing two prominent political figures and attempting to murder two others over the weekend.

Authorities arrested Boelter, 57, on Monday morning after locating him in a field near his abandoned vehicle. The image from a trail camera helped officers pinpoint his location after more than 40 hours of searching. He was armed but surrendered without resistance.

Attacks on Minnesota Lawmakers

The manhunt began early Saturday morning after a series of violent attacks targeting Minnesota Democratic lawmakers. According to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Boelter impersonated a police officer and used a vehicle outfitted with red and blue lights to approach his victims.

At approximately 2 a.m. on June 14, Boelter allegedly shot State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, in Champlin, Minn. Both were critically injured but survived the attack.

Shortly after, Boelter is accused of driving to Brooklyn Park, entering the home of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, and fatally shooting both her and her husband, Mark Hortman.

Investigators believe the attacks were politically motivated. According to court documents and statements from law enforcement, Boelter had created a hit list targeting dozens of individuals connected to Democratic politics and reproductive rights. A manifesto found in his possession outlined plans to kill high-profile lawmakers, political donors, and healthcare providers.

Manhunt and Arrest

Boelter fled the Twin Cities area shortly after the attacks. His vehicle was located in rural Sibley County, triggering a widespread manhunt involving more than 200 officers, SWAT teams, helicopters, drones, and K9 units. The Minnesota BCA and FBI offered a $100,000 reward for information leading to his arrest.

Authorities credit a trail camera owned by a local resident with capturing a key image of Boelter walking near a cornfield. The footage helped tactical teams narrow their search and coordinate the arrest. Officers found Boelter lying in a field with a loaded firearm. He crawled toward them and gave himself up without incident.

“The trail cam picture alerted SWAT teams to go to that area, secure a perimeter, and with the help of drones, identify his location,” noted Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher.

Inside his vehicle and at the scene, investigators recovered multiple weapons, law enforcement-style gear, a latex mask, and handwritten notes outlining his plans.

Charges and Ongoing Investigation

As of Monday, Boelter has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder. Prosecutors indicated that additional charges, including first-degree murder and potential federal crimes, are under consideration.

Governor Tim Walz described the killings as a political assassination. Officials confirmed that Boelter’s manifesto included references to abortion rights, political conspiracies, and grievances against Democratic leadership in Minnesota.

Senator Amy Klobuchar and other Minnesota officials have called the incident an act of domestic political violence. Lawmakers across party lines have condemned the attacks.

Boelter is being held without bail. The investigation remains active and is being led jointly by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension and the FBI.