Vance Boelter, the man who is accused of killing a state lawmaker and her husband, pleaded guilty in federal court to the politically-motivated assassinations.
In 2025, he allegedly impersonated a law enforcement officer and went to the residences of Democratic elected officials to kill them. He fatally shot Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. He also shot Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. He tried to to shoot their daughter but was unsuccessful. The Hoffmans survived the shootings. The alleged shooter also went to Rep. Kristin Bahner’s home, but she and her family were away. He also visited the home of Sen. Ann Rest, but left when a police officer who was conducting a welfare check showed up.
The suspect was on the run for several days until he was finally captured crawling through a field.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Boelter will serve two life sentences plus 40 years to avoid the government seeking the death penalty.
The plea deal was approved by Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche.
“The Attorney General has authorized and directed the government not to seek the death penalty against Defendant Vance Luther Boelter in accordance with the terms delineated in a proposed plea agreement, a copy of which has been submitted to the Court,” the filing says.
Daniel Rosen, the United States Attorney for Minnesota, issued a statement that makes clear that politically-motivated violence would not be tolerated.
“Those that would commit political violence, those that would commit political violence at any level, should take heed that the Department of Justice will seek and obtain the longest prison terms available for your crimes,” said Rosen.
Rosen said he does not know why Boelter decided to plead guilty. The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said that the plea deal will not effect the state charges against the suspect.
