Person charged with the murder of Minnesota politician to now be tried in federal court, potentially facing life imprisonment or the death penalty.

Over the weekend, a shocking incident unfolded in Minnesota involving 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter. He was identified as the perpetrator behind a series of shootings that resulted in the tragic deaths of a state lawmaker and her husband, while another lawmaker and his wife were left in critical condition.

The situation took a dark turn as details emerged about a possible “hit list” and a intense manhunt for Boelter commenced. Eventually, on Sunday night, authorities managed to capture Boelter, who now faces serious charges in Hennepin County, including second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder. However, there have been queries regarding why he was not charged with first-degree murder, given the premeditated nature of the crime.

In addition to the local charges, Boelter is also confronting federal charges that involve stalking, murder, and firearm offenses. The case continues to unravel, shedding light on the unsettling events that transpired over the weekend.

He is charged with two counts of stalking, two counts of murder and two counts of firearm-related crimes in federal court.

In addition to the federal charges, Boelter is facing second-degree murder charges filed in Hennepin County, where he is accused of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, early Saturday morning at their Brooklyn Park home in Minneapolis, and of shooting State Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, in their nearby Champlin home in a related attack. 

As referenced above, the state charges initially were for second-degree murder, but that’s likely to change: 

The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office on Monday announced that it intends to file against the suspect.

…

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Monday that those were the charges they could file via complaint on Sunday so they could take Boelter into custody at an early point in their investigation into the suspect’s alleged actions.

Attached to the complaint setting forth the charges against Boelter, federal officials filed the affidavit of FBI Special Agent Terry Getsch, which may be viewed in full below. 

The 20-page affidavit sets out a chilling chronology of Boelter’s actions in relation to the shootings/murders, including the fact that he approached two other lawmakers’ homes in between the Hoffmans’ and the Hortmans’. While the lawmakers are not named, the affidavit reveals that no one was home at one of the residences and, though he was parked outside the other, he may have been deterred by the approach of a New Hope police officer sent to conduct a safety check at that home. 

There still remain so many questions regarding Boelter’s motives, the actions of his wife, the comments of his roommate — all of the pieces of this jumbled, tragic puzzle. What appears clear at this point is that, if convicted, Boelter is looking at a lifetime in prison, and possibly the death penalty. 

 Boelter – Affidavit  by  Susie Moore