Vance Boelter, a 57-year-old man from Minnesota, is accused of carrying out a planned attack to kill state lawmakers and is facing federal charges that carry the death penalty. Authorities discovered evidence of plans for more political killings while the suspect, posing as a police officer, created a terrifying situation that resulted in two fatalities and two serious injuries.
Calculated Political Assassination Plot Uncovered
Federal authorities have charged Vance Boelter with six federal crimes, including stalking and murder, for the assassination of Minnesota lawmakers. The Green Isle resident allegedly killed Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, while critically injuring Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette during a methodical killing spree.
Vance Boelter, the suspect accused of assassinating a Minnesota lawmaker and shooting another this weekend, faces state and federal murder charges after his arrest following a massive two-day manhunt that was the largest in state history https://t.co/ovpCc0F1Kq pic.twitter.com/nXVy0fGCPA
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 17, 2025
Boelter’s attack has been officially described as a political assassination by federal authorities investigating the case. His elaborate planning included disguising himself as a police officer, driving a police-style SUV, and creating fake credentials to gain access to his victims’ homes.
BREAKING NEWS ALERT: Accused Minnesota assassin Vance Boelter could face the death penalty — as Feds detail his chilling tactics while dressed as a cop.
Accused Minnesota assassin Vance Boelter has been hit with Federal murder and stalking charges and could face the death… pic.twitter.com/ZvuWI4EnGL
— Saint James Hartline (@JamesHartline) June 16, 2025
After a 43-hour manhunt, law enforcement captured Boelter near his rural home in Sibley County. Investigators discovered notebooks containing surveillance information on multiple legislators, disguises, and falsified license plates at his property.
Deadly Deception Tactics Employed
The suspect employed chilling tactics to gain access to his victims’ homes, posing as a police officer, claiming there was an active shooting situation. When Senator Hoffman and his wife realized Boelter was not a legitimate officer, he allegedly opened fire, critically wounding both before fleeing the scene.
Court documents reveal Boelter had extensively researched his targets using various websites to gather personal information. His preparation included purchasing materials to create convincing police identifiers to help him deceive his victims.
Authorities confirmed that Boelter attempted to target at least one additional legislator’s home in Maple Grove. Fortunately, that potential victim was out of town when Boelter arrived at their residence.
Severe Legal Consequences Ahead
The federal charges against Boelter include two counts of stalking, two counts of murder, and two counts of using a firearm during the attacks. These charges could potentially result in the death penalty if prosecutors choose to pursue capital punishment.
In addition to the federal case, the Hennepin County Attorney plans to pursue first-degree state murder charges against Boelter. After appearing in U.S. District Court, the suspect is currently held in federal custody with bail set at $5 million.
Boelter has been appointed a federal defender and is scheduled for his next hearing on June 27. This case has raised significant concerns about the safety of public officials and the threat of political violence in America.
Sources:
https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/17/us/minnesota-assassination-legal-charges.html