Suspect in assassination of Minnesota lawmaker charged with murder, other federal charges

A chilling case of political violence has rocked Minnesota and the nation after the arrest of a man accused of assassinating a Democratic state lawmaker and attempting to kill another. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was captured late Sunday following a two-day, statewide manhunt and now faces a raft of federal charges, including murder and stalking, that could result in the death penalty.

Federal prosecutors announced Monday that Boelter is charged with six federal offenses: two counts of murder for the killings of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark; two counts of stalking; and two firearms-related charges connected to the non-fatal shootings of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

A Calculated and Violent Plan

According to Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, Boelter deliberately targeted four state legislators, traveling to their homes with the intent to kill. "Political assassinations are rare. They strike at the very core of our democracy," Thompson said at a press conference. "But the details of Boelter’s crime are even worse. They are truly chilling."

Authorities say Boelter fatally shot Melissa and Mark Hortman in their home in a northern suburb of Minneapolis early Saturday morning. Not long after, Senator Hoffman and his wife were shot and wounded at their nearby residence. Both are still hospitalized.

Boelter, who once served on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board after an appointment by Governor Tim Walz in 2019, is also being charged at the state level with two counts of first-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder.

A Manhunt and a Community on Edge

What followed the killings was the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history. Hundreds of law enforcement officers from local, state, and federal agencies pursued Boelter, who fled into rural parts of the state. He was finally apprehended in a wooded area of Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis, after a tip from a local resident led officers to his location. Authorities say Boelter surrendered peacefully, crawling from the woods to waiting officers.

“This was the face of evil,” said Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher. “But thanks to relentless and determined police work—and the support of a vigilant public—the killer is now in custody.”

Governor Walz commended the law enforcement community for their swift response. “After a two-day manhunt in which hundreds of officers ran into danger to deliver justice, Vance Boelter has been apprehended,” Walz said in a statement. “Melissa Hortman was a pillar of our state, someone who worked tirelessly for all Minnesotans, and her murder is a tragic loss.”

A Troubling Profile Emerges

Details continue to emerge about Boelter’s motives and background. Officials say he headed a private security firm, Praetorian Guard Services, and allegedly impersonated a police officer during the attacks. Inside his vehicle, investigators found a suspected “kill list” with names of additional Minnesota lawmakers.

Authorities also discovered anti-Trump protest fliers labeled “No Kings,” which Boelter apparently intended to distribute. Law enforcement has since advised the public to avoid upcoming demonstrations associated with that movement, citing safety concerns.

Legal Consequences Could Be Severe

Boelter now faces a combination of federal and state charges that could lead to life imprisonment—or even the death penalty, a rare and serious possibility in federal cases.

“These were not random acts of violence,” Thompson emphasized. “These were premeditated, politically motivated assassinations and attempted killings of elected officials, intended to terrorize and destabilize.”

Boelter is expected to make his initial federal court appearance this week. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not yet announced whether it will seek the death penalty, but legal experts say the severity and scope of the crimes make it a distinct possibility.

As Minnesota reels from the shocking events, officials are urging calm, reflection, and unity.

“This wasn’t just an attack on a few individuals,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar in a statement. “This was an attack on democracy itself. But we will stand together and we will not be intimidated.”