Vance Boelter, the suspected assassin accused of gunning down two Minnesota lawmakers and their spouses, killing one couple, is expected to plead not guilty during his arraignment in federal court on Thursday, his attorney said.
Boelter was indicted last month on six counts of murder, stalking and firearms violations.in connection with the politically motivated shootings of State Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. John Hoffman — both Democrats — and their spouses.
Investigators have said Boelter was posing as a police officer when he knocked on the door of Hoffman’s Champlin home in the early hours of June 14. When the senator opened the door, the gunman opened fire, striking Hoffman nine times. His wife, Yvette Hoffman, was also shot eight times in Boelter’s overnight rampage, while she shielded their daughter, Hope, from the gunfire.
Some 90 minutes later, Boelter turned up at Hortman’s home in Brooklyn Park about eight miles away, still wearing his disguise.
Both Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were struck in the subsequent gunfire and pronounced dead on the scene. Their family dog, Gilbert, was also fatally wounded, police said.
The Hoffmans, meanwhile, were rushed to an area hospital, where they both underwent surgeries. The couple has since been released and continue to recover at home.
Police noted the gunman also stopped at two other legislators’ homes before turning up in Brooklyn Park, but he did not make contact, police said.
For days after the shooting, Boelter managed to evade law enforcement, but he was eventually taken into custody following what Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley described as “the largest manhunt in state history.” He said Boelter, wearing a tactical vest at the time of the shootings, drove a black SUV with emergency lights to trick the victims into thinking he was law enforcement. A search of his fake cop cruiser turned up flyers for the nationwide No Kings protest, a manifesto and a hit list some 45 names long.
Prosecutors have also released a rambling handwritten confession letter they say Boelter addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel. He did not however reveal his motive in the missive.
With News Wire Services
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