Man who killed Minnesota Democratic Rep. sentenced to life in prison

Published Jul 23, 08:08 PM UTC

Vance Boelter was sentenced to two consecutive life terms plus 40 years for the June 14, 2025 assassination of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, as well as the shooting of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. Boelter pleaded guilty to avoid the death penalty, recounting months of stalking before disguising himself as a police officer with a silicon mask to carry out the night-time attack. The Hortmans' two children were left orphaned, and the Hoffmans' daughter witnessed her parents bleeding out. In court, victims described lasting physical and psychological trauma, with Yvette Hoffman unable to return to work. Mark Hortman's family expressed anger that Boelter avoided capital punishment. The attack was described by prosecutors as politically motivated and 'the stuff of nightmares.'