Vance Boelter, the man suspected of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and wounding another lawmaker, has been charged with murder following his arrest on Sunday. The arrest came after a nearly two-day manhunt, which authorities described as the largest in Minnesota's history. Boelter, 57, allegedly posed as a police officer to carry out the fatal shooting at Hortman's home in the northern Minneapolis suburbs early Saturday.
In addition to the murder of Hortman and her husband, Mark, Boelter is accused of shooting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in a nearby neighborhood. Authorities have indicated that Boelter had targeted multiple lawmakers, visiting four Democratic legislators' homes in a span of about 90 minutes. Some officials believe he targeted other individuals outside Minnesota, as a list of around 45 names, including community leaders and abortion-rights advocates, was found in a vehicle linked to the crimes.
Boelter is being held without bail after his initial court appearance, where he faces both federal and state murder charges. The federal authorities have yet to announce whether they will seek the death penalty, although Minnesota does not have a death penalty law. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty plans to file first-degree murder charges against Boelter, which, if convicted, could lead to life imprisonment without parole.
Authorities revealed that Boelter meticulously planned his attacks by researching his intended victims and surveilling their homes. Despite the severity of his actions, details regarding his motive remain undisclosed. Concurrently, some lawmakers, including Democratic U.S. Senator Tammy Baldwin from Wisconsin and Democratic U.S. Representative Greg Landsman from Ohio, have been informed that they were also on Boelter's target list.
Vance Boelter's search concluded in rural Sibley County, southwest of Minneapolis, where he attempted to flee before surrendering to law enforcement. Friends and former colleagues have described him as a devout Christian who was politically conservative, actively supporting former President Donald Trump. Despite holding strong religious views, those who knew him expressed surprise at his extreme actions, stating he had no previous issues with law enforcement.
Melissa Hortman was a well-respected figure in the Minnesota legislature, known for her efforts in passing various liberal initiatives and for her role in resolving significant budget disputes. Meanwhile, Senator John Hoffman and his wife, who were wounded during the shooting, are reportedly recovering from their injuries. Hoffman's position as chair of the Senate committee overseeing human resources spending adds another layer to the significance of the attack, given his past interactions with Boelter.
This chilling incident has raised concerns among lawmakers not just in Minnesota but across other states, highlighting the potential dangers facing elected officials in these turbulent times. The ongoing investigation seeks to uncover the full extent of Boelter's plans and motivations as the community grapples with the aftermath of these violent acts.
