Vance Boelter pleaded guilty to six federal counts tied to the killings of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, accepting a plea that spares him the death penalty while carrying two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years behind bars.
Boelter entered the new plea on Thursday after initially pleading not guilty to all six counts. Federal prosecutors secured an agreement under which the judge accepted the recommended sentence, a deal approved by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche. The plea covers two counts of stalking, two counts of murder, and two firearms violations connected to attacks on the Hortmans and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
In addition to the federal case, Boelter still faces a separate slate of state charges in Hennepin County, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder. Those state-level counts remain pending and could result in further proceedings after the federal sentencing is final. Prosecutors and defense lawyers will proceed through the standard steps that follow a federal plea agreement, while state prosecutors weigh their next moves.
The attacks occurred on June 14, 2025, when Boelter disguised himself as a police officer, wearing tactical armor, a fake badge, and a silicone mask. He carried multiple firearms and used the disguise to get close to his targets, a tactic that investigators say helped him gain access and move between locations during the rampage. Law enforcement accounts describe a calculated approach that involved both planning and mobility.
His first stop that night was the home of Sen. John Hoffman, where authorities say he shot the senator and his wife, Yvette. After that, he drove to the residence of former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and fatally shot both Hortman and her husband. Officials say the costume and false badge were instrumental in his ability to get near those victims before the attacks.
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Boelter also attempted to reach two other lawmakers that day, but both were not at home when he arrived, according to investigators. Police launched a citywide manhunt once the scope of the violence became clear, and that search ultimately led to his arrest. Authorities later recovered evidence in his vehicle that tied him to planning and intent.
Investigators reported finding a handwritten list of names and “No Kings” rally flyers in Boelter’s vehicle after his capture. The list included the victims and other Democratic officials, among them Gov. Tim Walz, Rep. Ilhan Omar, and Sen. Tina Smith. Those items became part of the evidence used to piece together motive and potential targets.
People who knew Boelter described him as an evangelical Christian and missionary with conservative political views and a strong opposition to abortion. Those personal details surfaced as friends and acquaintances answered questions about his background in interviews with authorities and reporters. He is also said to have left a handwritten letter to FBI Director Kash Patel in which he confessed to the attacks.
Federal sentencing terms outlined in the plea call for two consecutive life sentences plus an additional 40 years, eliminating the prospect of capital punishment under this agreement. Even with the federal deal in place, the state case remains active and could bring its own penalties and procedures. Courts in Hennepin County will move forward on state counts while federal authorities finalize their part of the prosecution.
Legal experts note that parallel federal and state prosecutions are not uncommon in cases with overlapping crimes and jurisdictions. Boelter’s federal plea resolves one major component of the legal process, but state-level trials, pretrial motions, and potential appeals could extend the judicial timeline. For families, legislators, and the community, the criminal process will continue to unfold in multiple forums as officials work to complete investigations and hearings.
