A Minnesota man is facing federal charges after a deadly weekend attack targeting state lawmakers and their families. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, allegedly shot and killed Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounded Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Investigators say Boelter had a list of more than 45 state and federal elected officials that he targeted.
“Political assassinations are rare, they strike at the very core of our democracy, but the details of Boelter’s crime are even worse, they are truly chilling,” said Joe Thompson, acting U.S. Attorney representing the District of Minnesota.
Planned list of victims recovered during investigation
Law enforcement officials told ABC News that the list of Minnesota politicians included Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and state Attorney General Keith Ellison. The list reportedly contained politicians from outside of Minnesota as well. Axios reports that U.S. Rep. Mark Pocan, D-Wisc., Sen. Tammy Baldwin, D-Wisc., Ohio Reps. Joyce Beatty and Marcy Kaptur, and other federal lawmakers from Michigan and Texas were included.
“He researched his victims and their families. He used the internet and other tools to find their addresses and names, the names of their family members,” Thompson said. “He conducted surveillance of their homes and took notes about the location of their homes.”
A two-day manhunt ended with Boelter’s arrest. He now faces federal charges, including stalking, murder and firearms offenses, which could carry the death penalty. He also faces separate state charges in Minnesota, including two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
Boelter faces federal, state charges for assassination
Officials held a press conference Monday, June 16, as Boelter made his first court appearance, where he was assigned a federal public defender and formally informed of the charges against him.
According to court documents, Boelter arrived at Hoffman’s home early Saturday, June 14, in a black SUV equipped with emergency lights and a license plate that read “police.” Wearing body armor and a realistic mask, he posed as a law enforcement officer and repeatedly knocked on the door, claiming there had been a shooting reported inside the home.
Security footage shows that the situation quickly turned violent after the Hoffmans realized Boelter was not a real officer. Boelter forced his way inside, announcing “This is a robbery,” and shot Hoffman and his wife multiple times.
Boelter then fled and attempted to make contact with other state lawmakers. Once that failed, investigators say he traveled to Hortman’s home. Police were already nearby, responding as a precaution after the shooting at Hoffman’s residence.
Officers witnessed Boelter firing at the front door, striking Hortman’s husband, before entering the home and shooting the representative. Both died from their injuries despite life-saving efforts from first responders.
After the attack, Boelter escaped through the back of the house, leaving behind his mask, body armor and a 9mm firearm.
Read the court documents below:
