Fact Check: Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced on June 16, 2025, that her office intends to pursue first-degree murder charges against Vance Boelter, which could result in a life sentence without parole if he is convicted.

Fact Check: Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty's Announcement on Vance Boelter

What We Know

On June 16, 2025, the Hennepin County Attorney's Office, led by Mary Moriarty, announced that they intend to pursue first-degree murder charges against Vance Luther Boelter. This announcement followed the tragic shooting of Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as the wounding of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in what was described as a targeted attack. According to the official news release, the charges will carry a mandatory sentence of life without the possibility of parole if Boelter is convicted. The initial charges against Boelter included two counts of second-degree intentional murder and two counts of second-degree attempted intentional murder, which were filed to secure a warrant quickly, as is standard practice in such cases.

Analysis

The claim that Mary Moriarty announced her office's intention to pursue first-degree murder charges is accurate, as confirmed by multiple reliable sources. The Hennepin County Attorney's Office explicitly stated their intention to seek these charges, which aligns with the legal framework that allows for such a pursuit following serious violent crimes. The statement from Moriarty also highlighted the gravity of the situation, mentioning the emotional impact of the crime on the community and the victims' families.

However, while the intention to pursue first-degree murder charges is clear, it is important to note that these charges have not yet been formally filed in court. The process requires a grand jury indictment, which is a necessary step before the charges can be officially recognized as first-degree murder. This nuance is critical because it means that while the intention exists, the legal process is still unfolding, and the charges could potentially change based on further developments in the case.

Furthermore, the context surrounding the case indicates that Boelter is also facing federal charges, which could include the death penalty, as noted in reports from The New York Times and UPI. This adds another layer of complexity to the legal proceedings, as federal and state charges may be pursued simultaneously.

Conclusion

The claim that Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced her office's intention to pursue first-degree murder charges against Vance Boelter is Partially True. While the announcement and intention are confirmed, the actual filing of these charges is contingent upon further legal processes, including a grand jury indictment. Therefore, while the statement reflects the current intentions of the prosecutor's office, it does not yet represent a finalized legal action.

Sources

1. RELEASE: HCAO confirms multiple charges against Vance Luther Boelter ...
2. Live Updates: Man Charged in Minnesota Assassination ...
3. Minneapolis lawmaker shootings suspect faces federal and ...
4. Vance Boelter went to other lawmakers' homes the night he killed Rep ...
5. Hennepin County Attorney's Office confirms multiple charges against ...
6. Minnesota shooting suspect faces possible federal death penalty
7. Boelter faces state and federal murder charges, death ...
8. First-degree murder charges to be pursued against Vance Boelter ... - MSN