Rep. Marcy Kaptur named on alleged Minnesota political assassin's "list"

Rep. Marcy Kaptur, D-Toledo, was named on the purported target list of the man accused of murdering the top Democrat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, a release from Kaptur said on Monday. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested on Sunday and is accused of murdering Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home outside Minneapolis. He is also suspected in the shooting injury of Democratic State Sen. John Huffman and his wife, Yvette. Left in Boelter's car was a manifesto and list of other potential targets that included state and U.S. lawmakers and community leaders, along with abortion rights advocates and information about health care facilities. Kaptur said in a release on Monday that she was informed her name was included on the list compiled by "an individual suspected of the targeted assassination of lawmakers." "Political extremism in America is cause for serious reflection and concern," the release said. "The inclusion of Congresswoman Kaptur's name in the Minnesota suspect's writings is a matter better left for law enforcement and investigators — but it will not deter her work to make life better for families across Northwest Ohio. Uplifting those who she has the honor to serve has been her sole focus every single day she has served and nothing will deter her from doing so now." The release also expressed Kaptur's appreciation for law enforcement personnel for their work across the Great Lakes region and specifically "for their work around the clock this weekend in Minnesota." "At this time out of respect to law enforcement working around the clock locally and nationwide to keep lawmakers safe, we will not be providing further public comment on this matter," the release said. Police have not shared an official motive for the shootings as of Monday evening, but state and national officials have referred to Boelter's alleged actions as targeted political assassinations. The Associated Press has reported that Boelter was "deeply religious and conservative" and was animated by his opposition to abortion access. Family and friends said he attended evangelical churches and rallies in support of President Donald Trump. Boelter owns a private security company called Praetorian and he allegedly used one of the company's vehicles, which have markings and emergency lights reminiscent of police vehicles, to help him impersonate a police officer while he carried out the alleged shootings.