A man accused of fatally shooting a former Minnesota House Speaker and injuring another lawmaker could face the federal death penalty—an unusual development in a state that abolished capital punishment more than a century ago.
Vance Boelter is charged in the fatal shooting of former Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as the wounding of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. The attacks took place early Saturday in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis. Boelter surrendered Sunday after what authorities described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota’s history.
Federal prosecutors filed six charges on Monday, two of which are eligible for the death penalty. Although Minnesota banned the death penalty in 1911 and hasn’t executed anyone since 1906, the federal government can override state policy in certain cases.
“It’s too early to tell” whether the death penalty will be pursued, Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson stated. He also revealed that Boelter had reportedly planned to target several other Democratic officials in Minnesota and beyond.
Boelter had originally been set to appear in state court on Monday, but federal authorities took custody and brought him before a judge in St. Paul instead. This move effectively put the federal case in the lead, though state charges remain in effect.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, who had filed state murder charges, expressed limited commentary on the federal takeover, acknowledging “tension” between jurisdictions. She confirmed her office will continue pressing for a state-level indictment of first-degree murder, which carries a life sentence without parole.
Boelter’s federal defenders have not commented, and he has not yet entered a plea.
Attorney General Pam Bondi lifted the federal moratorium on executions earlier this year. Since then, her office has authorized prosecutors to seek capital punishment in several cases, including the high-profile killing of a health executive and multiple prison homicides. During President Trump’s first term, 13 federal executions were carried out, the highest in modern presidential history.
Legal experts note the unusual nature of pursuing the death penalty in Minnesota. “This case presents a unique challenge,” said Mark Osler, a former prosecutor and death penalty expert at the University of St. Thomas. “You’re drawing a jury from a state that has rejected the death penalty for over 100 years.”
Boelter’s next federal court appearance is scheduled for June 27. While state charges are still pending, the federal case is expected to proceed first. Boelter is currently being held at the Sherburne County Jail.
Officials continue to investigate Boelter’s alleged plans and whether additional targets were at risk.
