Accused Minnesota assassin Vance Boelter could face death penalty
By Chris Nesi
Suspected Minnesota assassin Vance Boelter captured after deadly shooting spree
Accused Minnesota assassin Vance Boelter has been hit with federal murder and stalking charges and could face the death penalty, prosecutors said Monday — as they detailed how he carried out the cold-blooded shootings that rocked the Land of 10,000 Lakes.
Acting US Attorney Joseph Thompson gave a rundown of the six federal charges against Boelter at a press conference Monday morning, stemming from Saturday’s ambush attack of the Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, which he called “the stuff of nightmares.”
The federal prosecutor also revealed chilling details about how Boelter went to the homes of two other unidentified Minnesota lawmakers the night of the shootings, and how he had two encounters with police during his killing spree.
Arrest of Vance Luther Boelter, suspect in Minnesota lawmakers' shooting.
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Accused assassin Vance Boelter could face the death penalty.
HANDOUT/RAMSEY COUNTY SHERIFF'S OFFICE HANDOUT/EPA-EFE/Shutterstock
Surveillance image of Vance Boelter, person of interest in a shooting.
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Boelter is seen on a surveillance image.
Obtained by NY Post
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Included among the charges are two counts of stalking, two firearms offenses for the non-fatal shootings of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, and two counts of murder for the killings of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.
The penalties for the six counts range from 20 years in prison to life, with the death penalty on the table for the federal murder charges, despite Minnesota abolishing it in 1911.
Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband at a White House Christmas party.
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Melissa Hortman with her husband, Mark. They were murdered on Saturday, June 14, 2025.
Melissa Hortman/Facebook
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Thompson said Boelter meticulously planned his attack, researching the victims and their families and conducting surveillance of their homes.
On the night of the shooting, Boelter allegedly banged on the Hoffmans’ front door, shouting “this is the police! Open the door!” but later told the couple he was actually robbing the home when they realized he wasn’t a real police officer.
Door with bullet holes.
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Bullet holes mark the front door of Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
AP
After wounding the Hoffmans, Boelter allegedly drove to the Hortmans’ home and parked his vehicle in their driveway. Officers arrived at Hortman’s home to check on her — amid growing concern over the threat to lawmakers — and Boelter got out of his SUV and opened fire, prosecutors said.
He then ran into Hortmans’ house, where he killed Rep. Hortman, her husband and their golden retreiver, Thompson detailed.
Crime scene tape across the front of a brick house.
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Police tape blocks off the home of late Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman.
AP
When police searched his black SUV — which was outfitted with police lights and a police license plate — they found five additional firearms, including assault-style rifles and a “large quantity” of ammunition.
Selfie of Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman.
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Hoffman (left) was wounded while Hortman (right) was killed in the shootings.
MelissaHortman/Facebook
After shooting the Hoffmans, Boelter targeted a state representative in Maple Grove, but he was on vacation at the time. He also went to the home of a state senator in New Hope, but encountered an officer who had been dispatched to the home.
The officer saw what he thought was another squad car parked outside, and even unsuccessfully tried to engage Boelter in conversation. He was already gone by the time additional cops arrived at the scene, Thompson said
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