Minnesota Murder Suspect Faces Federal Murder Charges After Lawmaker Killings, May Face Death Penalty

Federal prosecutors charged Vance Luther Boelter with six federal counts, including murder and firearms violations, according to CNBC. The charges follow the politically motivated killings of Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the shooting of Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson said the Justice Department may seek the death penalty in Boelter’s case. Authorities said Boelter planned the attacks in advance, conducted surveillance, and impersonated a police officer to gain access to lawmakers' homes. He was found with a list of potential targets, all Democrats, and was captured late Sunday after a 43-hour manhunt involving 20 SWAT teams. Minnesota officials also plan to pursue first-degree murder charges, which carry a maximum sentence of life without parole.