Vance Boelter, the person accused of killing a Minnesota state legislator, her husband, and wounding two others, was slapped with upgraded state prices on Thursday.
Boelter was indicted in July in reference to the politically motivated shootings of state Rep. Melissa Hortman, state Sen. John Hoffman — each Democrats — and their spouses.
Investigators mentioned Boelter was posing as a police officer and carrying a masks when he knocked on the Hoffman’s door June 14. After the senator opened the door, the gunman opened fireplace, putting Hoffman 9 instances. His spouse Yvette was additionally shot eight instances whereas she shielded their daughter, Hope, from the gunfire. They survived the assault and proceed to get better.
About 90 minutes later, whereas nonetheless disguised, he arrived on the Hortman residence the place he fatally shot Hortman, her husband Mark and their golden retriever, Gilbert.
Police famous the gunman additionally stopped at two different legislators’ properties earlier than turning up in Brooklyn Park — however didn’t make contact. Rep. Kristin Bahner was not house when Boelter rang her doorbell.
He was arrested June 15 after a manhunt.
Boelter now faces prices of first-degree homicide and tried first-degree homicide together with prices of impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty for capturing the Hortman’s canine.
Hennepin County Lawyer Mary Moriarty mentioned the fees “reflect the weight of Mr. Boelter’s crimes.”
Final week, Boelter pleaded not responsible throughout an arraignment in federal courtroom the place he faces extra severe penalties. He was indicted in July on six federal counts of homicide, stalking and firearms violations. The homicide prices may carry the federal loss of life penalty.
Moriarty mentioned the state case would proceed whatever the consequence of the federal case.
“When Boelter returns to state custody, we will be prepared to prosecute him — to hold him accountable to our community,” she mentioned. “We will do everything in our power to ensure that he is never able to hurt anyone again.”
The upgraded state prices may result in a life sentence.
“We feel it’s important to hold Boelter accountable for what he did in this county,” Moriarty mentioned. “I will also say that there’s no possibility of anyone — at least in the federal government — pardoning Boelter on anything we do here in state court.”
Initially Printed: August 14, 2025 at 8:41 PM EDT
