Suspect in Minnesota lawmaker shootings charged with murder

Authorities on Sunday night charged Vance Luther Boelter with two counts of second-degree murder for allegedly killing a Democratic state representative and her husband. Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a Monday news conference that her office plans to seek first-degree murder charges against Boelter for the deaths of Rep. Melissa and Mark Hortman. Boelter is also charged with two counts of second-degree attempted murder for allegedly wounding Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, Moriarty said. He separately faces federal charges over the shootings.

Boelter allegedly carried out the shootings at his victims’ homes overnight, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said in a Saturday news conference. He also allegedly impersonated a police officer. A wanted poster from Minnesota authorities showed him using a rubber mask and uniform to disguise his identity. Boelter’s vehicle contained a hit list with the names of other Minnesota Democrats and abortion supporters, according to the Washington Post, as well as posters related to the “No Kings” protests against President Trump.

When was Boelter captured? Law enforcement nabbed Boelter Sunday night in a field in Sibley County after the largest manhunt in Minnesota history, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune. The FBI offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the shooter’s arrest and conviction. After a large group of officers surrounded Boelter, with aircraft overheard, he obeyed commands to crawl toward law enforcement and surrender peacefully, according to Drew Evans of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

What do we know about Boelter? The 57-year-old was listed as a leader at a security firm, according to reporters’ screenshots of the business’ now-defunct website. Boelter previously served as a missionary in the Congo, preaching at the LaBorne Matadi church there, according to the Washington Post. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz also appointed him to the Governor’s Workforce Development Board for at least four years.

What penalties does Boelter face? Hennepin County Attorney Moriarty said a first-degree murder conviction in her state would be punished with a life sentence without parole. Federal authorities intended to transfer Boelter into their custody on Monday, Moriarty said. Boelter was expected to appear in federal court later on Monday, according to the Minnesota Star Tribune.

Dig deeper: Read Carolina Lumetta’s liveblog of how events developed on Saturday and Sunday.