Vance Boelter has been charged in federal court with the targeted murder of state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and the shooting of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

Acting U.S. Attorney for Minnesota Joe Thompson was among a contingent of law enforcement officials who discussed the shootings Monday in a news conference. Thompson alleged Boelter researched his victims and surveilled their homes before the shootings.

Boelter allegedly visited the homes of two other lawmakers the morning of the shootings. Brooklyn Park police Chief Mark Bruley said if it hadn’t been for the actions of an off-duty police sergeant who asked two officers to check on the Hortman home after the Hoffman shooting, it could have been a lot worse.

Some of the federal charges that Boelter faces are punishable by life in prison or the death penalty, if he’s convicted.

Republican Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth says Minnesota feels a loss of safety following the assassination of Hortman. Memorial tributes to her and her husband have sprung up inside and outside the Minnesota Capitol.

Severe storms — including reported tornadoes — caused damage and knocked out power to hundreds of homes and businesses Monday night. There were tornado sightings near Gull Lake and Nisswa, and possible tornadoes near Staples, Bertha, Deer Creek and Ottertail Lake.

And Minnesota chefs and restaurants earned top honors at this year’s James Beard Awards, announced Monday night in Chicago. Minneapolis restaurant Bûcheron won best new restaurant, topping nine other establishments across the country.