By Steve Neavling
A Minnesota man accused of killing a state lawmaker and her husband claimed in a handwritten letter to the FBI that he was acting on secret orders from the governor, federal prosecutors revealed Tuesday.
The letter, addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel and found in the suspect’s car, begins: “I am the shooter at large in Minnesota involved in the two shootings,” The Washington Post reports. Authorities say Vance Boelter, 57, wrote the note before his June 15 arrest, one day after state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot in their home.
Boelter also allegedly shot state Sen. John Hoffman, his wife Yvette, and their daughter, who survived. He now faces federal murder and attempted murder charges, and prosecutors say he had a list of other political targets, mostly Democrats.
In the rambling letter, Boelter claimed he had been trained for secret missions by the U.S. military and was ordered by Gov. Tim Walz to kill U.S. Sens. Amy Klobuchar and Tina Smith. A spokesperson for Walz dismissed the claims as “deeply disturbing.”
Federal prosecutors say the letter is likely a delusion or an effort to excuse his actions.
“It certainly seems designed to excuse his crimes,” Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said Tuesday.
Boelter has pleaded not guilty and remains in custody. Prosecutors have not yet determined whether they will seek the death penalty.
