Minnesota man gets two life sentences for killing lawmaker, husband

Minnesota man who admitted to killing a senior Democratic lawmaker and her husband has been sentenced to two consecutive life sentences, plus an additional 40 years in prison, in federal court.

NBC News reported Vance Boelter, 59, was sentenced on Thursday after pleading guilty last month to six federal charges in connection with the June 2025 attacks that killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, and seriously wounded state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman.

Guilty Plea Avoided Death Penalty

Boelter agreed to plead guilty in June after federal prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty. The plea deal called for two consecutive life sentences and an additional 40-year prison term—the maximum punishment available short of execution.

U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim said it was the longest sentence he had imposed during his judicial career.

Before sentencing, Boelter apologised in court.

"To every person I have caused loss, pain, heartache, confusion, sadness, shame or loneliness, I am truly sorry," he said.

Victims' Families Address Court

John and Yvette Hoffman, along with members of both families, delivered victim impact statements during the hearing.

"These were acts of calculated violence," John Hoffman told the court. "The defendant permanently changed my life."

Melissa Hortman's children, Sophie and Colin, later released a statement thanking those involved in bringing the case to justice.

"Our parents were public figures and known to people, but to us they were just Mom and Dad," they said.

Prosecutors Say Attacks Were Planned

According to court documents, Boelter admitted he spent months identifying and stalking elected officials before carrying out the attacks while disguised as a police officer.

Authorities said he fatally shot Mark Hortman after convincing him he was responding to a welfare check before entering the home and killing Melissa Hortman as she fled upstairs.

Earlier that night, Boelter had allegedly shot and critically injured John and Yvette Hoffman. Investigators said he also travelled to the homes of two other lawmakers but did not carry out additional attacks.

State Charges Still Pending

Boelter continues to face separate state charges, including murder, attempted murder, impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty. Authorities said the Hortman family's golden retriever was seriously injured during the shooting and was later euthanised.

The attacks triggered the largest manhunt in Minnesota's history and prompted heightened security for elected officials amid growing concerns about politically motivated violence.