Name: Suspect in Minnesota lawmaker killing faces state, federal charges | REUTERS
Uploaded: 2025-06-17T17:47:56.000Z
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Authorities say Vance Bolzer, the suspect in the assassination of a Minnesota lawmaker, was planning a killing spree.

He visited the homes of at least four state politicians disguised as a police officer.

Investigators say they found notebooks that included names of dozens of Democratic legislators, along with abortion rights advocates.

I mean, this was a political assassination.

Minnesota's acting US Attorney Joseph Thompson spoke at a news conference on Monday.

Political assassinations are rare, they strike at the very core of our democracy.

But the details of Belter's crime are even worse.

It's only the most recent example of violent political extremism in this country, and that's a trend that's been increasing over the in recent years.

Bolter made a brief appearance in St. Paul Federal Court on Monday.

He faces state and federal murder charges after his arrest on Sunday night, following a massive two-day manhunt that was the largest in state history.

He's accused of assassinating Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House and her husband.

He's also charged with shooting and wounding another Democratic lawmaker, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife.

The county's chief prosecutor, Mary Moriarty, said she will seek first degree murder charges, which carry a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

I want to assure our community and all those who are grieving that we will seek justice and accountability for the victims of all these heinous crimes.

Federal prosecutors separately charged Bolzer with an array of crimes including murder, which could lead to a death sentence.