Minnesota man who killed Democratic lawmaker sentenced to life in US prison

Vance Boelter has been sentenced to two life terms plus 40 years in prison for the June killings of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Boelter also seriously wounded state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in coordinated attacks targeting Democratic officials. The judge deemed the sentence the longest he has ever imposed, stating it was deserved. Boelter admitted to months of stalking his targets and disguising himself as a police officer to carry out the assaults. The attacks prompted a large-scale police search and highlighted concerns about political violence.

Vance Boelter has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus 40 years in prison for the politically motivated killings of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Boelter also pleaded guilty to shooting State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He admitted to stalking his targets and disguising himself as a police officer before carrying out the attacks in June 2025. Boelter pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, accepting the maximum sentence short of it. Victims and their families described the lasting fear and physical harm caused by the violence.