Minnesota Man Faces Upgraded Charges in Murder of Democratic Lawmaker While Impersonating Police Officer
A Minnesota man, Vance Boelter, accused of killing a prominent Democratic state lawmaker and injuring others while posing as a police officer, is now facing a fresh wave of state charges, according to an announcement from the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office on Thursday, August 14, 2025.
This update comes just one week after Boelter pleaded not guilty in a federal courtroom, where he is also facing multiple serious charges, including six counts of murder, firearms violations, and stalking—some of which carry the possibility of the federal death penalty.
Expanded Charges in State Court
The state-level charges, which have now been significantly upgraded, include:
- Two counts of first-degree murder
- Four counts of attempted first-degree murder
- Impersonating a police officer
- Animal cruelty, related to the shooting of a family’s dog during the rampage
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty emphasized the severity of Boelter’s alleged actions, stating that the new charges “reflect the weight of Mr. Boelter’s crimes.” However, she acknowledged that the federal prosecution will take precedence due to the potential for more serious consequences under federal law.
Details of the Crime: A Premeditated Political Attack
The horrific events unfolded in the early hours of June 14, 2025, when Boelter, allegedly disguised in a police uniform and wearing a mask, reportedly knocked on the doors of several state lawmakers’ homes under the pretense of being a law enforcement officer.
Victims of the incident, Melissa Hortman killed
Authorities say Boelter fatally shot former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, at their residence after falsely identifying himself as police. He then moved on to the home of State Senator John Hoffman, where both Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot but survived the attack.
Additionally, investigators uncovered that Boelter had traveled to the residence of Rep. Kristin Bahner, another Democratic lawmaker, but she was not home at the time. Despite her absence, Boelter has now been charged with attempted murder in connection with that visit, as his method of approach was consistent with the attacks on the other victims.
The violent spree was described as a politically motivated assault—the result of months of premeditation. Boelter’s intentions, according to authorities, went beyond personal grievance and amounted to an act of targeted political violence. Law enforcement agencies from local, state, and federal levels collaborated in a massive manhunt that led to his arrest a day later in Green Isle, Minnesota.
Federal vs State Legal Proceedings
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty
Although County Attorney Moriarty had requested that state prosecution be prioritized, federal authorities opted to move forward with their case first. The federal indictment, issued on July 15, 2025, includes murder charges, stalking, and weapons violations—any of which could potentially result in the death penalty, a punishment not available under Minnesota state law, which only allows life imprisonment for first-degree murder.
Boelter, 58, entered a not guilty plea in federal court on August 7, 2025, and remains in federal custody. Due to this, his state court appearances have been delayed, and although an application for a public defender was filed on June 16, none has yet been assigned due to procedural delays.
A Community Shaken by Political Violence
The attack, described as one of the most shocking incidents of political violence in recent Minnesota history, has deeply shaken the community and reignited concerns around domestic terrorism, gun violence, and the safety of public officials.
Moriarty remarked in a public statement:
“The damage done to the victims—those who are still with us, those who were taken, and to our entire community—has opened wounds that will never heal.”
Background on Mary Moriarty and Controversy
The case also comes amid broader controversy surrounding Mary Moriarty, who announced last week that she will not seek re-election in 2026. Her tenure has been marked by reform-driven policies and intense scrutiny. Earlier this year, the U.S. Department of Justice opened an investigation into her office after she directed prosecutors to consider racial disparities when offering plea deals—a move both praised and criticized within legal circles.
Moriarty, a former public defender elected in 2022, rose to office amid a national reckoning on police reform following the murder of George Floyd in Minneapolis in 2020. Her approach has emphasized criminal justice reform, racial equity, and police accountability, challenging what she saw as a historically punitive prosecutorial system.
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