In what’s shaping up to be one of the most disturbing crime stories Minnesota has ever seen, new details have emerged about Vance Boelter—the man accused of a politically motivated shooting spree that left two people dead and two others gravely injured.
The latest twist? A wild, rambling letter he allegedly wrote to the FBI, accusing Governor Tim Walz of orchestrating an assassination plot to advance his own political career.
A Political Conspiracy with No Basis in Reality
According to investigators, Boelter left behind a letter filled with bizarre and unfounded claims.
He allegedly wrote that Walz had secretly asked him to kill Senator Amy Klobuchar so that Walz could eventually take her Senate seat.
He even claimed that the military had trained him to carry out targeted killings.
Authorities have made it clear—there’s no evidence to support any of these outlandish accusations.
The Killings That Shook Minnesota
Boelter is currently accused of fatally shooting former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their home in Brooklyn Park.
Earlier that night, he also allegedly shot Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their Champlin residence.
Both were critically injured but survived.
The shootings triggered what law enforcement has called the largest manhunt in state history.
A Hit List and a Hidden Agenda
Authorities revealed that Boelter had compiled a chilling list of 45 potential targets—most of them Democratic lawmakers, abortion providers, and pro-choice advocates.
The letter found in his abandoned car, a Buick left near his home, reportedly includes a confession and spells out his violent intentions in disturbing detail.
The Capture After the Chaos
Boelter’s rampage came to an end Sunday evening after he was spotted near his home.
SWAT teams swarmed a wooded area in Green Isle, using drones and helicopters.
He was finally taken alive after a neighbor spotted him hiding near a culvert.
Authorities recovered multiple firearms Boelter had abandoned, including three AK-47s and a 9mm handgun.
The Wife on the Run and a Family in Hiding
Boelter’s wife, Jenny, fled their home on Saturday morning with the couple’s youngest children, two handguns, $10,000 in cash, and their passports.
She was pulled over in Onamia, 90 miles from home.
Though she allowed officers to search her devices, she wasn’t arrested and hasn’t commented publicly since.
Her brother gave a blunt response when approached by reporters, saying, “Piss off.”
Federal Charges Could Lead to Rare Death Penalty Case
Boelter is facing six federal charges, two of which could carry the death penalty—something not seen in a Minnesota case since capital punishment was abolished in 1911.
Federal prosecutors haven’t made a final decision on whether they’ll pursue it, but Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said it’s “one of the options.”
State and Federal Authorities Clash Over Prosecution
The case has triggered tension between local and federal prosecutors.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty, who was elected on a platform of police reform, has made it clear she wants to prosecute Boelter in state court first.
She’s pushing for a first-degree murder charge that would mean life in prison without parole.
However, federal officials appear ready to take the lead.
A State Without the Death Penalty Faces a National Debate
Moriarty opposes capital punishment and says Minnesota’s long-standing rejection of the death penalty reflects the state’s values.
She hopes federal prosecutors will respect that tradition.
“We owe it to the community to prosecute this case,” she said, emphasizing her office’s capacity and experience in handling serious crimes.
What Happens Next in Court
Boelter is currently being held at the Sherburne County Jail, a federal detention facility.
His next court appearance is scheduled for June 27 in federal court.
No state court dates have been set yet.
As the legal process unfolds, the case continues to send shockwaves through Minnesota and beyond, raising questions about political violence, federal authority, and the justice system’s next steps.