Minnesota shootings suspect to face first-degree murder charges

The man accused of assassinating a Minnesota state lawmaker and her husband, and shooting another lawmaker and his wife, is expected to face first-degree murder charges, state officials said Monday.

The remarks come after authorities late Sunday apprehended the man accused of killing Minnesota Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was remembered as a “true public servant,” and her husband, Mark.

Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot in a separate attack allegedly by the same shooter at their Minnesota home. They both sustained injuries, but they are expected to recover.

Authorities launched what they called the “largest manhunt” in state history for more than 24 hours after the suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, allegedly wore a mask and impersonated a police officer to gain access to the victims’ homes, where he then shot the victims.

“Mr. Boelter was taken into state custody, and our office intends to pursue first-degree murder charges against Mr. Boelter,” Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said Monday.

The maximum penalty for a conviction on first-degree murder charges is life in prison without parole, Moriarty said.

Authorities captured the suspect late Sunday in a rural part of Sibley County, Minnesota, where he was found crawling in a field. He was armed at the time of his arrest, but gunfire was not exchanged at the time of his arrest, authorities said.

Earlier on Sunday, authorities had discovered the suspect’s car and hat in Sibley County, leading them to zero in on the area.

The shootings rattled Minnesota and lawmakers across the country.

The suspected gunman was also carrying a notebook with names of other potential targets, including dozens of officials and lawmakers.

Gov. Tim Walz has said the attacks appeared to be “politically motivated.”

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.