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Vance Boelter, the suspect in the targeted shootings of two Democratic Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, is expected to make his first court appearance Monday afternoon.
Boelter, 57, was taken into custody late Sunday after a two-day manhunt. He faces state charges of second-degree murder in the deaths of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and second-degree attempted murder charges in the shootings of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said it will seek first-degree murder charges for Boelter — which will require a grand jury proceeding.
“I want to assure people that we will seek first-degree murder charges,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty told MPR News host Cathy Wurzer on Monday morning.
Law enforcement officials are expected to release more details during a press conference about the charges against Boelter at 10 a.m. Monday. Federal officials are also planning a news conference about the case on Monday.
Suspect had more guns, list of public officials in vehicle
Court documents detailing the charges against Boelter say a vehicle registered to him that was found outside the Hortmans’ home contained “at least three AK-47 assault rifles and a 9 mm handgun, as well as a list of names and addresses of other public officials.”
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension superintendent Drew Evans said that had Brooklyn Park police officers not confronted Boelter at the Hortmans’ home early Saturday morning, he likely would have “continued throughout the day … He was forced to abandon his plan,” adding that Boelter’s list of possible targets also included people in Wisconsin, Illinois and Michigan.
Officers also found “a ballistic vest, a disassembled 9 mm firearm, a mask, and a gold police-style badge” in the area. Court documents said Boelter was listed as the purchaser for at least four of the recovered firearms.
Massive manhunt
Boelter had been the subject of an extensive, multiday manhunt after he allegedly shot and killed Hortman and her husband, Mark, early Saturday morning at the Hortmans’ home in Brooklyn Park. He is also believed to have shot and wounded the Hoffmans at their home in Champlin.
Boelter was found in a field late Sunday near Green Isle, southwest of the Twin Cities, about 6 miles from his family’s home.
Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley described the search for Boelter as “the largest manhunt in state history.” Searching near Boelter’s Sibley County property, an officer thought they saw him rush into the woods. Bruley said authorities hurried to set up a perimeter and with the help of technology and a State Patrol helicopter, they were able to call him out of the woods and into a field.
Ramsey County Sheriff Bob Fletcher posted a photo of Boelter on social media after the arrest.
Fletcher wrote that Boelter was arrested “after relentless and determined police work.”
“Thanks to the dedication of multiple agencies working together along with support from the community, justice is one step closer.”
Gov. Tim Walz praised law enforcement for capturing Boelter. He mourned Hortman, saying, “One man’s unthinkable actions have altered the state of Minnesota.” He vowed to “put every ounce of energy the state of Minnesota has to make sure the justice is served.”
This is a developing story; check back for updates.
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