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Minnesota suspect attempted to kill two other state lawmakers, officials say Minnesota suspect attempted to kill two other state lawmakers, officials say
(about 16 hours later)
Watch: 'To lose her is tragic' - Minnesotans pay respects to Melissa HortmanWatch: 'To lose her is tragic' - Minnesotans pay respects to Melissa Hortman
A man who is accused of killing a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband, and injuring another state lawmaker and his wife, allegedly attempted to kill two other state lawmakers, Minnesota officials said on Monday. A man who is accused of killing a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband - and injuring another state lawmaker and his wife - also attempted to kill two other state lawmakers, Minnesota officials say.
Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who is charged with fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota Democrat, and her husband, Mark, visited the homes of three other state lawmakers in "truly chilling" attacks, US Attorney Joseph H Thompson said. Vance Luther Boelter, 57, who is charged with fatally shooting Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota Democrat, and her husband, Mark, visited the homes of other state lawmakers in "truly chilling" attacks, US Attorney Joseph Thompson said.
Mr Boelter, who police said researched the victims and their families beforehand, allegedly had planned for a larger scale attack, which police thwarted. Mr Boelter allegedly researched the victims and their families beforehand, in preparation for a larger-scale attack - which police thwarted.
He appeared in court on Monday afternoon to face six federal charges, and possibly the death penalty, if he is found guilty. He appeared in court on Monday afternoon to face six federal charges.
Mr Boelter was wearing an orange jumpsuit when he arrived in court in St. Paul on Monday afternoon. He said he cannot afford a lawyer and will have a federal defence lawyer. He could face the death penalty, if he is found guilty.
At the brief hearing, Mr Boelter said he has seven cars, $20,000-30,000 in savings and makes about $540 per week. Mr Boelter was wearing an orange jumpsuit when he arrived in court in St Paul on Monday afternoon. He said he could not afford a lawyer and would use a federal defence lawyer.
At a press conference on Monday officials walked through the early hours of Saturday morning in the suburbs of Minneapolis when the Hortmans were killed, and John Hoffman, a Minnesota state senator, and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were shot multiple times. At the brief hearing, Mr Boelter said he had seven cars, $20,000-30,000 (£14,700-22,100) in savings and made about $540 per week.
They also announced that Mr Boelter faces six federal charges, some of which make him eligible for the death penalty. At the federal level, he faces two counts of stalking, two counts of murder, and two firearms-related charges. At a press conference on the same day, officials talked through what happened in the early hours of Saturday morning in the suburbs of Minneapolis.
Separately, at the state level Mr Boelter is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder at the state level. They described how the Hortmans were killed, and John Hoffman, a Minnesota state senator, and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, were shot multiple times in a separate attack.
Thompson said that Mr Boelter arrived at the Hoffman home disguised as a police officer in a large black car with emergency lights on the vehicle. Mr Boelter was wearing a "hyper realistic silicon mask" when he rang the doorbell and shouted "this is the police, open the door". Officials also announced the charges against Mr Boelter. At federal level, he faces two counts of stalking, two counts of murder, and two firearms-related charges.
Separately, at state level, Mr Boelter is charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder.
Thompson said that Mr Boelter arrived at the Hoffman home disguised as a police officer in a large black car with emergency lights on the vehicle. Mr Boelter was wearing a "hyper-realistic silicon mask" when he rang the doorbell and shouted "this is the police, open the door".
Thompson said authorities have a clear picture of what happened because the Hoffmans have a security camera outside their front door.Thompson said authorities have a clear picture of what happened because the Hoffmans have a security camera outside their front door.
When the Hoffmans opened the door, Mr Boelter shined a flashlight at the couple. Mr Boelter told the couple there was a shooting reported in the house and lowered his flashlight, Thompson said. The couple then realized he was not a police officer. The suspect is said to have worn a "hyper-realistic silicon mask"
After they attempted to push him out, he allegedly fired at the couple multiple times, Thompson said, then fled the scene and the couple's daughter Hope called 911. When the Hoffmans opened the door, Mr Boelter shone a flashlight at the couple. Mr Boelter told the couple there was a shooting reported in the house and lowered his flashlight, Thompson said. The couple then realised he was not a police officer.
Yvette Hoffman was shot eight times and John Hoffman was shot nine times. Both remain in hospital, though Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has said they are expected to make a full recovery. After they attempted to push him out, he allegedly fired at the couple multiple times, Thompson said, then fled the scene. The couple's daughter Hope called 911.
After allegedly shooting the Hoffmans, Mr Boelter drove to another state representative's home and rang the doorbell there, Thompson said. Yvette Hoffman was shot eight times and John Hoffman nine times. Speaking on Sunday, after Mr Boelter's arrest, state Governor Tim Walz said: "The latest news is Senator Hoffman came out of his final surgery and is moving towards recovery."
That state representative was not home, Thompson said, noting that she and her family were on vacation. Authorities did not reveal her name.
He then drove to a third lawmaker's home, allegedly targeting them, Thompson said. Officials did not reveal the name of that state lawmaker, either.
Thompson said an officer pulled up next to Mr Boelter in his vehicle and assumed he was a police officer, dispatched to the scene to perform a wellness check on that lawmaker.
When the officer asked Mr Boelter what he was doing, he simply stared straight ahead, Thompson said, and Mr Boelter went on to the Hortman residence.
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After allegedly shooting the Hoffmans, Mr Boelter drove to another state representative's home and rang the doorbell there, Thompson said.
That state representative was not at home, Thompson said, noting that she and her family were on vacation. Authorities did not reveal her name.
He then drove to a third lawmaker's home, targeting them as well, Thompson said. Officials did not reveal the name of that state lawmaker, either. After the press conference, Minnesota state senator Ann Rest released a statement saying the suspect had been parked near her home on Saturday morning.
"I am so grateful for the heroic work of the New Hope Police Department and its officers," Rest wrote. "Their quick action saved my life."
At one point, an officer pulled up next to Mr Boelter in his vehicle, Thompson said. The officer assumed that Mr Boelter was a police officer himself, who had been dispatched to the scene to check on one of the lawmakers.
When the officer asked Mr Boelter what he was doing, he simply stared straight ahead, Thompson said.
Mr Boelter went on to the residence of a fourth lawmaker - belonging to Melissa Hortman and her husband - before carrying out another attack there.
Watch: Minnesota governor Tim Walz confirms Vance Luther Boelter’s arrestWatch: Minnesota governor Tim Walz confirms Vance Luther Boelter’s arrest
He is accused of arriving at the Hortman home, and allegedly shooting and killing Melissa and Mark Hortman. Police said they found him at that residence and engaged fire before Mr Boelter fled. He is accused of arriving at the Hortman home, and allegedly shooting and killing the couple. Police said they found him at that residence and engaged fire before Mr Boelter fled.
After he fled, police embarked on a two-day search for Mr Boelter before finding him late Sunday night in a wooded rural area west of Minneapolis, where he surrendered peacefully, eventually crawling towards officers, police said. After he fled, officers embarked on a two-day search for Mr Boelter before finding him late Sunday night in a wooded rural area west of Minneapolis. He surrendered peacefully, eventually crawling towards officers, according to police.
Thompson said Mr Boelter had "planned his attack carefully".Thompson said Mr Boelter had "planned his attack carefully".
"He conducted surveillance of their homes and took notes about the location of their homes," he said of Boelter. "He conducted surveillance of their homes and took notes about the location of their homes," he said of the suspect.
Upon finding his car, officials discovered five more firearms including assault-style rifles, large quantities of ammunition and a list of more than 45 Minnesota state and federal elected officials, including Melissa Hortman. When they found Mr Boelter's car, officials discovered five more firearms - including assault-style rifles, large quantities of ammunition - as well as a list of more than 45 Minnesota state and federal elected officials, including Melissa Hortman.
Mark Bruley, police chief from Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, said the officers who arrived at the Hortman home "foiled" a larger plan. They "essentially took (Mr Boelter's) vehicle away from him, which involved all his maps, all his names, all his weaponry", Mr Bruley said. Mark Bruley, police chief from Brooklyn Park, said the officers who arrived at the Hortman home "foiled" a larger plan. They "essentially took (Mr Boelter's) vehicle away from him, which involved all his maps, all his names, all his weaponry", Mr Bruley said.
"I would be very scared what it would look like over the next few hours ahead had we not done that," he said. "I would be very scared what it would look like over the next few hours ahead had we not done that," Mr Bruley added.
"It's a chilling attack on our democracy, on our way of life," Thompson said at the Monday press conference. "It's only the most recent example of violent political extremism in this country, and that's a trend that's been increasing over in recent years, and that's unfortunate."It's a chilling attack on our democracy, on our way of life," Thompson said at the Monday press conference. "It's only the most recent example of violent political extremism in this country, and that's a trend that's been increasing over in recent years, and that's unfortunate.
I hope it is a wake up call to everyone that people can disagree with you without being evil or needing to be killed or hurt."I hope it is a wake up call to everyone that people can disagree with you without being evil or needing to be killed or hurt."
Mr Boelter is scheduled to return to court for his next hearing 27 June.Mr Boelter is scheduled to return to court for his next hearing 27 June.