U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson announced that the suspect in the murder and attempted murder of Minnesota state lawmakers was charged with six federal crimes in addition to state charges.
Vance Boelter was arrested near his home in Green Isle, Minnesota, on Sunday night, two days after the deaths of Democratic Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted murder of Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Thompson confirmed that his office filed its complaint against Boelter for his alleged “horrific attack” on the Minnesota lawmakers.
“Political assassinations are rare,” Thompson said in a news conference. “They strike at the very core of our democracy. But the details of Boelter’s crime are even worse. They are truly chilling. It is no exaggeration to say that his crimes are the stuff of nightmares. Boelter stalked his victims like prey. He went to their homes as a police officer and shot them in cold blood.”
The 20-page complaint filed by the U.S. Attorney’s Office charges Boelter with stalking Hortman using interstate facilities, stalking Hoffman using interstate facilities, murder of Hortman and her husband with a firearm, and two counts of firearm offenses.
The murder of Hortman and her husband is punishable by life in prison. Other charges carry penalties of up to 20 years to life in prison.
Thompson said it is “too early” to tell if Boelter will receive the death penalty. The state of Minnesota abolished the death penalty in 1911, making it one of 23 states that do not use it. However, federal prosecutors can seek the death penalty on federal charges regardless of state laws.
Thompson confirmed that the suspect had visited the homes of two other Minnesota state lawmakers. One potential victim was a state representative who lived in Maple Grove, though she and her family were on vacation. He said it is up to the lawmakers themselves to publish their identities.
Later, Boelter traveled to the home of a state senator in New Hope at 2:30 a.m. on Saturday, though a local police officer pulled up beside him, thinking he was a fellow officer. Boelter did not respond to the officer. The officer, who was sent after the department learned of the shooting at Hoffman’s house, then waited at the state senator’s house for backup.
In an earlier press conference, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty sought to assure that justice would be delivered to the victims of this case. She also addressed the rhetoric fueling “political violence” across the nation and urged people to find ways to “support one another.”
Beyond the federal charges, Boelter also faces state charges for second-degree murder and attempted murder, which were filed on Saturday. Moriarty explained that filing these charges allowed a nationwide arrest warrant to be obtained and that first-degree murder charges are expected to be pursued against the suspect.
The state charges will be brought against Boelter following his federal charges.
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Boelter’s initial court appearance is set for 2:30 p.m. in St. Paul, Minnesota.
Gov. Tim Walz (D-MN) expressed gratitude to law enforcement on X for its work in apprehending the murder suspect. He has also encouraged people not to turn to violence when addressing the country’s problems.
