Man pleads guilty to slaying top Democrat and her husband in Minnesota

Vance Boelter has pleaded guilty to murdering Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Boelter, disguised as a police officer, targeted the couple's home and also injured state Senator John Hoffman and his wife. The plea agreement with federal prosecutors means Boelter will not face the death penalty, but could receive a maximum sentence of two consecutive life terms plus 40 years. The state intends to pursue its own case. The attacks have heightened concerns about political violence in the US, with authorities vowing to seek severe penalties for such crimes. Boelter was found with a list of 45 other state officials and legislators.

Vance Boelter pleaded guilty in federal court to murdering Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, and to shooting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman. The attacks occurred on June 14, 2025, when Boelter, disguised as a police officer in a fake squad car, approached their homes. Prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty as part of a plea agreement, though Boelter still faces state charges. The shootings have been described by prosecutors as political, with Boelter having written a letter to the FBI director confessing to the attacks, though his motives remain unclear. The Hoffmans sustained serious injuries, and their dog had to be euthanized.

Vance Boelter pleaded guilty in federal court to murdering Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. He also pleaded guilty to the non-fatal shootings of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman. The attacks occurred in the early hours of June 14, 2025, when Boelter approached the victims' doors disguised as a police officer in a fake squad car. Prosecutors stated they would not seek the death penalty in exchange for the guilty plea. The Hortmans' dog was also gravely injured and had to be euthanized.