(NewsNation) — Minnesota shooting suspect Vance Boelter will face federal charges, including stalking an elected official, murder and shooting at two officials using a firearm, following the shootings of two Democratic lawmakers over the weekend.
State authorities in Minnesota said they also intend to file first-degree murder charges against shooting suspect Boelter.
Boelter, 57, was captured after a two-day manhunt in a rural area of Minnesota.
Appearing in court, Boelter told a judge he could not afford a lawyer and wanted one appointed for him. He said he made around $540 a month working part-time but had $20,000- $30,000 in savings. He also said he owns a home and has seven vehicles registered to him though some are driven by his children.
Additional Minnesota lawmakers were targeted Saturday
Acting U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joseph Thompson called the shootings “the stuff of nightmares.”
“Boelter stalked his victims like prey, he went to their homes and held himself out at as a police officer and shot them in cold blood,” Thompson said.
Federal authorities also gave more details about the shootings and said Boelter also attempted to attack two other lawmakers that same night. They did not name the targeted individuals for their privacy.
Regarding a motive, Thompson disputed claims that there was a manifesto found, saying that there was no such document. He did say there were writings done by the suspect at various times.
Over the weekend, state authorities filed second-degree murder and attempted murder charges against Boelter, the highest degree that could be filed by complaint. That filing was done in order to obtain a nationwide warrant for his arrest.
The penalty for first-degree murder would be life without parole. The federal murder charges could potentially carry the death penalty.
Authorities warned against spreading conspiracy theories, noting that while review of evidence may take time, prosecutors are committed to building a case based on facts and evidence.
Minnesota shooting suspect disguised himself as a police officer
According to charging documents, Boelter was allegedly wearing a mask and a police-style tactical vest and badge when he approached the homes of two Democratic lawmakers, state Rep. Melissa Hortman and state Sen. John Hoffman.
Hoffman’s daughter called 911 to report the shooting of her parents. According to court documents, Boelter knocked on the door and introduced himself as a police officer before shooting Hoffman and his wife.
Surveillance video then showed him fleeing the residence and leaving in a police-style vehicle with lights on it, the documents say.
Because Hoffman was a legislator, officers were sent to check on the homes of his colleagues.
According to federal authorities, Boelter went to the home of another lawmaker after Hoffman’s home, but the lawmaker was not home.
He then went to the home of a different state lawmaker. A police officer who had been dispatched to check on the lawmaker saw Boelter’s SUV parked on the street and assumed he was another officer sent for the same reason.
When she attempted to speak to Boelter, he did not respond. The officer then went to the lawmaker’s home and waited for additional officers. By the time they arrived, Boelter had left.
Boelter then went to Hortman’s home and parked in the driveway. Police said they saw the suspect shoot into the house before fleeing out the back.
Hortman and her husband were killed. Hoffman and his wife are alive following treatment.
Who is Minnesota shooting suspect Vance Boelter?
State corporate records show Boelter’s wife filed to create a company named Praetorian Guard Security Services LLC with the same Green Isle mailing address listed for the couple. On a website for the business, Boelter’s wife is listed as president and CEO, and he is listed as director of security patrols.
The website says the business provides armed security for property and events and features a photo of an SUV painted in a two-tone black and silver pattern similar to a police vehicle, with a light bar across the roof and “Praetorian” painted across the doors. Another photo shows a man in black tactical gear with a military-style helmet and a ballistic vest with the company’s name across the front.
It is not clear whether the company had any clients.
An online resume lists Boelter as a security contractor who has worked in the Middle East and Africa, in addition to past managerial roles at companies in Minnesota.
Boelter is a former appointee under Minnesota Gov. Mark Dayton and Gov. Tim Walz, and served a four-year stint on the nonpartisan Governor’s Workforce Development Board. Hoffman also served on the board, though it is not clear if he and Boelter knew each other.
Minnesota voters do not register a party affiliation, but Boelter’s roommate told reporters he was a supporter of President Donald Trump and held anti-abortion views. Records also show Boelter was registered as a Republican while living in Oklahoma.
Boelter was an evangelical who reportedly traveled to the Democratic Republic of Congo, where he spoke at a Pentecostal church. At least one sermon he gave there appeared to critique LGBTQ+ rights. He and his wife also once ran a ministry called Revoformation Ministries.
Boelter is married and a father of five. He shared a registered address with his wife and also rented a room in Minneapolis, where he stayed several days a week. His wife, Jenny Boelter, was found with passports and cash in her car during a traffic stop Saturday. She is not currently in custody.
Boelter was also employed in the funeral industry, primarily removing the bodies of those who died in assisted living facilities. That job appeared to be one he took due to financial difficulties.
