Vance Boelter, the man accused of killing a Minnesota state legislator, her husband, and wounding two others, was slapped with upgraded state charges on Thursday.
Boelter was indicted in July in connection with the politically motivated shootings of state Rep. Melissa Hortman, state Sen. John Hoffman — both Democrats — and their spouses.
Investigators said Boelter was posing as a police officer and wearing a mask when he knocked on the Hoffman’s door June 14. After the senator opened the door, the gunman opened fire, striking Hoffman nine times. His wife Yvette was also shot eight times while she shielded their daughter, Hope, from the gunfire. They survived the attack and continue to recover.
About 90 minutes later, while still disguised, he arrived at the Hortman residence where he fatally shot Hortman, her husband Mark and their golden retriever, Gilbert.
Police noted the gunman also stopped at two other legislators’ homes before turning up in Brooklyn Park — but didn’t make contact. Rep. Kristin Bahner was not home when Boelter rang her doorbell.
He was arrested June 15 after a manhunt.
Boelter now faces charges of first-degree murder and attempted first-degree murder along with charges of impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty for shooting the Hortman’s dog.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said the charges “reflect the weight of Mr. Boelter’s crimes.”
Last week, Boelter pleaded not guilty during an arraignment in federal court where he faces more serious consequences. He was indicted in July on six federal counts of murder, stalking and firearms violations. The murder charges could carry the federal death penalty.
Moriarty said the state case would proceed regardless of the outcome of the federal case.
“When Boelter returns to state custody, we will be prepared to prosecute him — to hold him accountable to our community,” she said. “We will do everything in our power to ensure that he is never able to hurt anyone again.”
The upgraded state charges could lead to a life sentence.
“We feel it’s important to hold Boelter accountable for what he did in this county,” Moriarty said. “I will also say that there’s no possibility of anyone — at least in the federal government — pardoning Boelter on anything we do here in state court.”
With News Wire Services
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