(KNSI) — The man suspected of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and wounding another will make his first court appearance Monday afternoon, answering to second degree murder and attempted murder charges after he crawled to officers in surrender Sunday when they located him in the woods near his home, bringing an end to a massive, nearly two-day search that put the entire state on edge.
Court documents filed in Hennepin County District Court Monday say officers responded to the Champin home of Senator John Hoffman just after 2:00 a.m. Saturday for a report of a shooting. The 911 caller said someone wearing a mask came to the door and shot their parents. Video surveillance from the outside of the home showed the suspect, 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who was dressed like a police officer, get into a Ford SUV with police style lights that was parked in the driveway and drive off. A quick thinking Champlin officer thought to contact Brooklyn Park police due to Hoffman’s status as a state lawmaker and asked to do a welfare check at the home of Representative Melissa Hortman. When officers arrived just after 3:20, they found the SUV and immediately encountered Boelter, still wearing a law enforcement-style outfit, shoot someone through the open door of the house.
Investigators say police exchanged gunfire with Boelter before he ran inside the home and then fled the scene. Once inside, they found the Hortmans had both been shot. Rep. Hortman was pronounced dead at the scene. Her husband was rushed to the hospital, where he died.
The criminal complaint says inside the SUV, which is registered to Boelter, they found three AK-47 style assault rifles, a .9mm handgun, and a list containing the names and addresses of other public officials. A canvas of the area turned up a ballistic vest, a disassembled .9mm handgun, a mask, and a gold police style badge.
According to authorities, Boelter is the registered buyer for at least four of the guns.
The charging documents for second-degree murder were filed on Saturday, with Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty explaining, “These are the highest charges we can file by complaint, and it needed to be done quickly to get the warrant out. Mr. Boelter was taken into state custody, and our office intends to pursue first-degree murder charges against Mr. Boelter.”
To do that, a grand jury must be convened. If he is convicted of first degree murder, the penalty is life in prison without the possibility of parole.
___
Copyright 2025 Leighton Media. All rights reserved. This material may not be broadcast, published, redistributed, or rewritten, in any way without consent.
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!
FOLLOW US FOR INSTANT UPDATES!