A Minnesota man who pleaded guilty to the killings of state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, is scheduled to be sentenced in federal court Thursday. Vance Boelter, 59, entered a guilty plea in June, nearly a year after the attacks that also critically wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
Boelter agreed to serve two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years in exchange for prosecutors not seeking the death penalty. This represents the maximum sentence achievable short of capital punishment, according to the prosecution and federal defenders.
In his court admission, Boelter stated he spent months identifying and stalking his targets. He then drove to their homes in the middle of the night, disguised as a police officer, with the intent to kill them. The killings triggered the largest police search in Minnesota's history, creating widespread fear and leading to increased security measures. Elected officials reported escalating threats, fueling concerns about political polarization and potential future violence.
On June 14, 2025, Boelter approached Hortman's home wearing a tactical uniform and mask. According to court documents, he identified himself as a police officer conducting a welfare check before Mark Hortman answered the door. Boelter provided a false name and badge number and asked to speak with Melissa Hortman. He then shot Mark Hortman multiple times, entered the house, and fatally shot the lawmaker as she attempted to flee upstairs.
Earlier that night, Boelter had visited the Hoffmans' residence, where he shot and critically injured the senator and his wife. Court documents indicate Boelter also went to the homes of two other lawmakers that night. In one instance, no one answered the door, and in another, Boelter was deterred when a police officer approached his vehicle, mistaking him for another officer.
Boelter faces additional state charges, including two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder, impersonating a police officer, and animal cruelty. The Hortman family's golden retriever was severely injured during the incident and later euthanized. In April, Hoffman and his family filed a personal injury lawsuit against Boelter.
In a sentencing memorandum, Boelter's attorney requested he be placed in a federal prison in Florida, allowed to work to pay restitution, and permitted to participate in therapy and other in-person programs. The attorney noted Boelter's decades of experience in food service and other fields, suggesting he would be a suitable candidate for Bureau of Prisons programs and employment.
Prosecutors described Boelter's actions as an "assault on democracy," stating he "shattered the lives of his victims," "terrified Minnesota’s public servants," and "viciously attacked the organs of Minnesota’s representative government."