Defendant in shooting of 2 Minnesota lawmakers, killing 1, pleads not guilty to federal charges

The Minnesota man accused of shooting two state Democratic lawmakers earlier this summer – killing one – pleaded not guilty Thursday to federal charges in connection with the incident.

The defendant, Lance Boelter, 58, entered the plea from a federal courtroom in Minneapolis before Judge Dulce Foster, according to The New York Times. 

State and federal prosecutors charged Boelter with murder, firearm offenses, attempted murder and stalking. 

He will likely go on trial first in federal court first, then at the state level.

He also faces murder and stalking charges for allegedly having killing state Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in June. 

Boelter also faces stalking charges for allegedly stalking state Sen. John Hoffman, who he also allegedly shot in June along with Hoffman's wife, who was also injured in the shooting that same morning.