Criminal charges against alleged Minnesota gunman, Vance Boelter, have been unsealed, but they seem to have sparked more questions than answers.
Boelter was arrested after a two-day manhunt following the fatal shooting of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband. Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were also shot and seriously injured but survived.
Vance Boelter, the man accused of shooting two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses, is officially booked into jail and charged with two counts of second degree murder and attempted murder (these charges can be upgraded) pic.twitter.com/jeMeTseEwp
— Brooke Taylor (@Brooketaylortv) June 16, 2025
The suspect was set to make his first court appearance Monday inside the Hennepin County Public Safety Facility.
These are the federal charges brought against Vance Boelter. pic.twitter.com/NCDFGpfx6v
— Mara Gottfried (@MaraGottfried) June 16, 2025
Reactions poured in after the charges were unsealed, and it was reported that Boelter was not charged with premeditated murder, despite an alleged manifesto and his impersonation of a police officer.
The Hennepin County attorney’s office charged him with two counts of intentional second-degree murder and two counts of attempted murder
This is f’g insane!! They only charged Boelter with 2nd degree murder…..NOT PREMEDITATED and requested $5 mil bail!
What is going on in MN?! https://t.co/TMbXkOq3be
— Spitfire (@DogRightGirl) June 16, 2025
Social media reactions tried to understand the charges with explanations of how a grand jury indictment is needed for first-degree murder charges.
Boelter had 3 AK’s and a 9MM in the car he was driving… He was prepared to cause major damage…
His bail has been set at $5 million dollars… I can’t believe the judge would even GRANT him a bond???🤦♂️
— Trevor Thacker (@trethack24) June 16, 2025
Vance Boelter has been charged with two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder. (It’s typical for the office to initially charge second-degree murder to secure a warrant and then add First Degree murder charges.) https://t.co/CARlpZkyC4 pic.twitter.com/TYKAVio6Q9
— Amee Vanderpool (@girlsreallyrule) June 16, 2025
The lack of premeditation charges baffled many.
Let’s get out ahead of this issue.
In Minnesota, a grand jury indictment is required before 1st degree murder charges can be filed.That’s why Vance Boelter has only been charged with 2nd degree murder at this time. Those are the initial charges that will be upgraded later. https://t.co/Pt95bepUxQ pic.twitter.com/SS9knCar9N
— Brick Suit (@Brick_Suit) June 16, 2025
🚨 BREAKING: Vance Boelter has been charged with 2nd degree m*rder in the Minnesota state rep. shooting.
He is likely to get 1st degree after the grand jury convenes. The initial charge is to keep him in custody.
There may also be federal charges – and the d*ath penalty. pic.twitter.com/p3jQc45zl5
— Eric Daugherty (@EricLDaugh) June 16, 2025
The county attorney is reportedly Mary Moriarty, who is described as “a Soros-backed prosecutor.”
🚨Hennepin County, MN Attorney Mary Moriarty says her office will pursue first-degree murder charges against Vance Boelter. pic.twitter.com/26JjzguJ5Y
— Off The Press (@OffThePress1) June 16, 2025
