Vance Boelter, the suspect in the June killings of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse, has been indicted on six federal charges including stalking and murder. Following a two-day manhunt, Boelter remains in custody facing both federal and state charges, with severe consequences looming.
Federal Charges Filed Against Minnesota Lawmaker's Assailant

Federal Charges Filed Against Minnesota Lawmaker's Assailant
Vance Boelter indicted on six federal charges for the fatal shooting of lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, facing potential life imprisonment or death penalty.
The suspect connected to the tragic fatal shooting of Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband during a violent rampage in June has been formally charged with six federal offenses, as confirmed by the state's attorney general. Vance Boelter, 57, is facing charges of murder and stalking, which could lead to a life sentence or even the death penalty if convicted.
After a two-day chase by law enforcement, Boelter was apprehended on June 16 for his involvement in the murders of the Hortmans. Currently, he is being held in Minnesota and is also confronted with state-level charges. As of now, he has not entered a plea regarding these allegations.
Prosecutors revealed that, aside from the Hortman killings, Boelter had targeted and shot at two other state lawmakers, John and Yvette Hoffman, during a separate incident. Authorities noted that he had intentions for a broader attack, which was ultimately intercepted by police.
Acting US Attorney Joseph H. Thompson commented, "Vance Boelter planned and initiated a night of terror that reverberated throughout Minnesota," emphasizing the unprecedented nature of these politically motivated attacks.
In a troubling twist, prosecutors disclosed a letter where Boelter purportedly admitted to being the shooter, claiming that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz had urged him to murder US Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith for political reasons. Both prosecutors and Governor Walz have strongly denied these assertions.
Legal documentation indicates that Boelter meticulously researched his victims and their families in advance of the June 14 attacks. He approached the Hoffmans' residence while posing as a police officer; upon their response, he unleashed a barrage of gunfire, shooting Senator Hoffman nine times and Yvette Hoffman eight times, with an attempt to shoot their daughter Hope.
Following these assaults, Boelter sought out two additional lawmakers' homes, finding them unoccupied, before ultimately arriving at the Hortmans' residence, where he fatally shot the couple. His arrest came two days later, in a wooded area near Minneapolis. The situation has sparked significant debates and discussions surrounding gun violence and political safety in the context of the United States.