Additional Coverage:
- Vance Boelter indicted on federal murder charges in the killing of Minnesota lawmaker and her husband (nbcnews.com)
Man Accused of Assassinating Former House Speaker Claims Governor Ordered Hits on US Senators
A Minnesota man accused of assassinating the state’s former House Speaker is claiming the state’s governor ordered him to kill two US senators. 57-year-old Vance Boelter made the allegations in a letter to FBI Director Kash Patel. The letter was discovered in Boelter’s vehicle following the shootings last month at the homes of two state lawmakers. Acting US Attorney Joseph Thompson revealed the letter’s existence on Tuesday, characterizing it as an attempt by Boelter to justify his crimes.
Thompson stated there’s no evidence to support Boelter’s claims about targeting Senators Amy Klobuchar or Tina Smith. The governor’s office has not yet commented on the accusations. The letter, which also includes unsubstantiated claims of Boelter carrying out military missions overseas, will be released publicly as part of an unsealed search warrant.
A federal grand jury has indicted Boelter on six counts, including murder through the use of a firearm and stalking, related to the targeted attacks. Thompson announced the indictment but did not indicate whether federal authorities would pursue the death penalty.
Boelter’s attorneys have not yet responded to requests for comment. Boelter’s arraignment is scheduled for September, with the trial set to begin in November.
Boelter is accused of fatally shooting former Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their Brooklyn Park home on June 14th, while impersonating a police officer.
He is also charged with shooting and injuring Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman, his wife, Yvette, and attempting to kill their daughter, Hope, at their nearby home on the same day.
The Hoffmans have since been released from the hospital.
Hope Hoffman released a statement acknowledging her survival but expressing the lasting trauma of the event. She credited her parents with saving her life and expressed gratitude for their survival.
Boelter was apprehended two days after the shootings following a manhunt. He was found in a rural area and has pleaded not guilty to state charges of second-degree intentional murder and attempted murder.
Authorities have confirmed a notebook containing a list of politicians’ names, including Hortman and Hoffman, as well as lawmakers from several other Midwestern states, was found among Boelter’s belongings. Earlier this month, Boelter waived his rights to probable cause and preliminary hearings, stating his desire for the truth to be revealed.