State charges, including stalking and murder charges, have been filed against Vance Luther Boelter, the man suspected of shooting two state lawmakers and their spouses.
Boelter is a suspect in the killing of Brooklyn Park Democrat Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as critically wounding Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and his wife in targeted home invasions early on June 14.
The 57-year-old suspect faces the possibility of life in prison following his arrest on June 15 in Hennepin County, Minnesota.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said at a June 16 press conference that Boelter has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder. Her office also plans to pursue first-degree murder charges.
Similarly, state and federal officials spoke on the shootings at a separate June 16 press briefing, where Joe Thompson, the acting U.S. attorney for the District of Minnesota, confirmed that a number of charges were filed against Boelter.
Thompson said the suspect is currently subject to two stalking charges—for both lawmakers—two murder charges, and additional charges related to the shooting.
Both Moriarty and Thompson said that as the investigation unfolds, they will look into whether Boelter received any assistance from others during his alleged shooting spree.
Thompson said the suspect allegedly arrived at the Hoffmans’ home in police-like garb with an SUV outfitted with emergency lights and a fake police license plate.
“Boelter wore a black tactical vest and body armor. He carried a flashlight and a Beretta 9 mm handgun,” Thompson said.
The alleged assailant also wore a “hyper-realistic” mask, according to the attorney, who said he viewed the events through Hoffman’s security camera.
“I’ve seen the footage from that camera, and it is chilling,” Thompson went on. “Boelter knocked on Senator Hoffman’s front door, and repeatedly shouted, ‘This is [the] police. Open the door.'”
Once the lawmaker opened the door, Boelter pointed a light at their faces, and the victims only realized he was not law enforcement after the light was lowered. The suspect then reportedly shot the Hoffmans and fled the scene, after which their daughter called 911.
Boelter is said to have then traveled to the home of another unnamed Minnesota state representative, where he again knocked on the door, wearing the same mask and uniform, but no one answered.
Thompson also described security footage as “haunting.”
The shooter then traveled to the home of Hortman in Brooklyn Park, where he allegedly shot the representative and her husband.
The ensuing search for Boelter has been called the largest manhunt in the state’s history, which began when officers did a wellness check at Hortman’s home and found the pair gunned down before the shooter fled.
Boelter’s vehicle was located on June 16 after having been abandoned on the side of a road near his home. An officer reported a possible sighting of Boelter near the woods, and police set up a perimeter, including 20 different law enforcement teams.
After hours of searching, Boelter was located, and he surrendered to police and was taken into custody.
Boelter was booked into the Hennepin County Jail in the early hours of June 16.














