Boelter is accused of shooting two lawmakers and their spouses early Saturday morning.
MINNEAPOLIS — The man accused of shooting and killing a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband was arrested near his home in Green Isle Sunday night and is facing murder charges in Hennepin County, but additional charges could be forthcoming.
Vance Boelter, 57, is facing two counts of murder and two counts of attempted murder after two lawmakers and their spouses were shot at their homes early Saturday morning.
According to court documents, Boelter allegedly shot and killed Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in what officials called a targeted shooting at around 3:30 a.m. Saturday. The criminal complaint says prior to going to Hortman’s Brooklyn Park home, he allegedly shot Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin. They are both out of surgery and awake.
After what officials say was the largest manhunt in state history, Boelter was taken into custody Sunday night. He’s facing charges of second-degree murder and second-degree attempted murder, but KARE 11’s Lou Raguse says those charges will likely be upgraded to first-degree by a grand jury.
Raguse says, procedurally, prosecutors will charge a suspect with second-degree murder and then a grand jury will elevate the charge to first-degree, or premeditated murder.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said federal prosecutors have criminal charges prepared as well. Under federal law, if terrorism is charged along with murder, then Boelter could face the death penalty. President Donald Trump said in public statements that he is asking the U.S. Department of Justice to pursue charges.