A federal grand jury has formally indicted Vance Boelter on six federal charges for the shootings that left one Minnesota lawmaker and her husband dead and a second lawmaker and his wife injured. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson described the attacks as ‘targeted political assassinations’ that have never been seen in Minnesota. The indictment comes as an ongoing manhunt for Boelter, 57, concludes after a two-day search following the shootings at the homes of several Democratic officials.
Boelter, who is accused of stalking and murdering former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home in Minneapolis, also faces charges for stalking and shooting state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Prosecutors say he attempted to shoot their daughter, Hope, as part of the attack. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Boelter, who allegedly conducted extensive research before the attacks, could be eligible for life imprisonment or the death penalty.
Authorities allege Boelter impersonated law enforcement and went to the homes of the Democratic officials with the intention of murdering them. He first went to the home of the Hoffmans in Champlin, Minnesota, where he allegedly shot Senator Hoffman and his wife repeatedly. After that, he drove to the homes of two other elected officials but found them empty. Boelter then went to the home of Melissa Hortman and her husband, where he is accused of repeatedly shooting and killing them. The shootings sparked a two-day manhunt, ending with Boelter’s capture in nearby Sibley County.
Hope Hoffman, the daughter of the injured lawmakers, said in a statement that although she was not shot, she will forever live with the trauma of witnessing her parents nearly being shot. ‘I will now forever coexist with the PTSD of watching my parents be nearly shot dead in front of me and seeing my life flash before my eyes with a gun in my face,’ she said. The indictment follows a jailhouse interview in which Boelter reportedly dismissed certain theories about his motivations, hinting that the true motive may still be under investigation.
The U.S. Attorney’s Office has yet to comment on the case, but the prosecution has emphasized the severity of the crime and the potential for life imprisonment or the death penalty. Boelter’s alleged actions are being investigated as a potential act of terrorism, with law enforcement warning that he may have had a long-term plan to attack political figures. The case has sparked a national conversation about political violence, with some calling for stricter gun control measures and others warning against politicizing the crime.
As the investigation continues, authorities are urging anyone with information about Boelter’s activities to come forward. The U.S. Attorney’s Office has also announced plans to release more details about the case in the coming weeks, including possible testimony from witnesses and additional charges against Boelter. The case is expected to go to trial in the near future, with the outcome potentially impacting the legal landscape surrounding political crimes in the United States.