Minnesota shooting suspect allegedly stalked multiple Democrats; death penalty possible
Minnesota suspect Vance Boelter makes first court appearance after arrest, facing murder charges
The suspected killer of a Minnesota lawmaker could face the death penalty, US prosecutors said Monday as they revealed chilling details of an alleged murderous nighttime spree targeting local Democrats.
Vance Boelter, 57, faces six federal charges, including two counts of murder by firearm, punishable by life imprisonment or the death penalty, acting US Attorney for the District of Minnesota Joe Thompson told a press conference in Minneapolis.
Thompson gave a shocking account of Boelter’s alleged activities in the early hours of Saturday, revealing that he went to the homes of four state politicians - all of them Democrats - not only the two previously reported.
“It is no exaggeration to say his crimes are the stuff of nightmares. Boelter stalked his victims like prey. He went to their homes, held himself out as a police officer, and shot them in cold blood,” Thompson said.
The rampage began with the shooting of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife and ended with the killing of state congresswoman Melissa Hortman and her husband. But it had two other stops in between, Thompson added.