In what federal authorities are now calling a “political assassination,” 57-year-old Vance Boelter has been formally charged in the cold-blooded killings of Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, and the attempted murders of State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife.

According to a criminal complaint filed in Hennepin County, Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder. In addition, six federal charges have been filed, including stalking and murder.

The FBI confirmed Monday that the shootings were not random, but part of a premeditated, politically driven operation. Federal officials revealed that Boelter had staked out the homes of several lawmakers, stalked them for weeks, and carried out the violent attacks over a 36-hour period.

“This was a political assassination,” stated Acting U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson in a sobering press conference Monday morning.

Boelter was apprehended Sunday evening near his residence in Sibley County, following a manhunt that gripped the state and rattled communities.

But the horror didn’t stop with two crime scenes.

The FBI disclosed that Boelter visited at least two additional lawmakers' homes on the same night as the attacks, appearing to systematically move through a kill list of Minnesota officials. After attacking the Hoffmans in Champlin, he drove to the home of another state representative in Maple Grove, who, by sheer luck, was out of town.

He then traveled to New Hope, where he parked outside the home of another senator. Local police conducted a wellness check and encountered Boelter’s vehicle—a vehicle initially mistaken for a squad car. Boelter refused to respond to officers and fled before backup arrived.

State Sen. Ann Rest (DFL–New Hope) later confirmed that she was one of the apparent targets, stating:

“I am so grateful for the heroic work of the New Hope Police Department and its officers. Their quick action saved my life.”

Boelter’s rampage finally culminated in Brooklyn Park, where he confronted Rep. Hortman and her husband at their home. According to law enforcement, he drew a firearm, exchanged gunfire with police, forced his way inside, and executed the couple at their front door.

Federal authorities allege Boelter spent an “extensive period of time” researching, surveilling, and preparing for the attacks, leaving little doubt about his intent.

During his court appearance in St. Paul on Monday, Boelter claimed he could not afford an attorney, despite owning a home, seven vehicles, and having up to $30,000 in savings. A federal public defender was temporarily assigned.

Meanwhile, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced plans to pursue first-degree murder charges, which carry a mandatory sentence of life without parole.

“It is a frightening time we are living in,” Moriarty said, referencing the rising political violence sweeping the nation. “We cannot continue on this way.”

Boelter’s motive is still under investigation, but the coordinated nature of the attacks, choice of targets, and his extensive surveillance suggest a dangerous escalation of politically motivated violence—and a chilling reminder of how radicalized individuals can act on ideological hatred with deadly consequences.