Minnesota shooting suspect 'stalked victims like prey'

The gunman accused of killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and wounding a second lawmaker and his spouse will face federal charges of murder.

- GUSTAF KILANDER

Federal prosecutors revealed in a six-count complaint that Vance Boelter has been charged with murder, stalking, and firearms violations. He is now being held on a $5 million bond. The acting US attorney for the District of Minnesota, Joe Thompson, said during a press conference yesterday that "it is no exaggeration to say that his crimes are the stuff of nightmares".

"In the early morning hours of June 14, Boelter went to the homes of four Minnesota state politicians with the intent to kill them," he said.

Mr Thompson said Boelter "stalked his victims like prey".

"He went to their homes, held himself out as a police officer, and shot them in cold blood," he added.

Several of the charges Boelter faces carry the penalty of life in prison. He faces two counts of murder with a firearm, which may bring the death penalty, according to the US attorney. Mr Thompson, however, chose not to state whether officials will seek the death penalty.

He said the suspect first arrived at the door of state senator John Hoffman in the early hours on Saturday. He knocked on the door and shouted, "This is the police!"

The US attorney said the senator and his wife came to the door, and quickly realised he wasn't a police officer.

"You're not a cop," they said. Boelter then shot Mr Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. They remain hospitalised but are expected to make a full recovery. He then went to the home of another state representative, who was not home at the time. The suspect also went to the home of a fourth lawmaker.