A grand jury in the United States has indicted Vance Boelter for the fatal shootings of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, while also seriously injuring state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The indictment includes charges of murder, stalking, and firearms violations, with the murder charges potentially carrying the federal death penalty. Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson described the incident as a political assassination that has shaken Minnesota profoundly.
Boelter, who had previously been charged in state court, now faces these federal accusations following the grand jury’s findings. Details from investigators revealed that Boelter had written a letter to the FBI, confessing to the shootings and making bizarre claims about his military training. He alleged that Minnesota’s governor had approached him with a plot to kill U.S. Senators Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith.
Thompson acknowledged the fantastical nature of Boelter’s claims, pointing out that there is scant evidence to explain his violent actions. Investigators uncovered lists naming numerous politicians and attorneys, indicating a pattern of political extremism in his motives.
Friends have described Boelter as a conservative evangelical struggling with unemployment. In a jailhouse interview, he denied that his actions were connected to his political beliefs, insisting he would not discuss his reasons for the shootings.
On June 14, Boelter, disguised in police gear and driving a fake squad car, reportedly attacked the Hoffmans’ home, shooting them multiple times. They survived, but he later killed the Hortmans in their home. Tragically, their dog had to be euthanised due to injuries incurred during the attack. A major manhunt resulted in Boelter’s arrest approximately 40 hours later, near his residence.
Senator Hoffman has since been released from the hospital and is undergoing rehabilitation. Former President Biden attended the Hortmans’ funeral, where tributes highlighted Melissa Hortman’s significant legislative contributions and her role in promoting a progressive agenda in Minnesota.
The case, steeped in political violence and extremism, has not only devastated the victims’ families but also prompted broader discussions about safety and accountability for public officials in today’s charged political climate.