Accused MN Assassin Could Face Death Penalty If Feds Step In

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Vance Luther Boelter is currently facing state murder charges in Minnesota, where he is accused of posing as a police officer and fatally shooting former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as seriously wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife in a separate attack.

But despite the severity of the allegations, Boelter cannot face the death penalty under Minnesota law.

Minnesota has not executed anyone since 1906 and officially abolished the death penalty in 1911, according to the Minnesota Historical Society.

That means Boelter, who is charged in Hennepin County with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of attempted second-degree murder, currently faces life in prison without the possibility of parole if convicted.

Prosecutors are seeking first-degree (premeditated) murder charges against Boelter, which comes with an automatic sentence of life in prison. In Minnesota, those charges require a grand jury indictment.

Could the Federal Government Step In?

Yes. And it might.

The case already has several elements that could draw the attention of federal prosecutors. According to investigators:

• Boelter targeted elected officials.
• He left behind a list of names and addresses of other public figures
• He used interstate-purchased firearms and impersonated law enforcement, both areas of federal jurisdiction.
• Officials have not ruled out domestic terrorism as a motive

If the U.S. Department of Justice determines that the shootings meet the criteria for federal crimes of terrorism or assassination of public officials, the case could be prosecuted federally, and the death penalty could be on the table.

What Laws Allow It?

Under federal law, capital punishment is permitted for crimes such as:

• Killing an elected official (18 U.S. Code § 351)
• Terrorism resulting in death (18 U.S. Code § 2332a)
• Murder in furtherance of a hate crime or civil rights violation
• Murder involving interstate commerce, firearms trafficking, or obstruction of government operations

If Boelter is charged under one or more of those statutes, and if the U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi signs off, prosecutors could seek the death penalty.

What Happens Then?

If federal prosecutors pursue capital charges, a separate federal case would be opened. Boelter could be transferred to federal custody, and a death-penalty qualified jury would have to weigh the facts.

What Happens Now?

For now, Boelter remains in state custody under $5 million bail. But as investigators gather more evidence, especially surrounding the motive, planning, and possible political targeting, federal involvement remains a real possibility.