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 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 and disguising himself as a police officer to carry out the attack. The Hortmans' family expressed anger that Boelter would not face capital punishment. Senator Hoffman and his wife testified to lasting physical and emotional trauma, with Yvette Hoffman describing her struggle during the attack. The crime was described by a former U.S. Attorney as 'the stuff of nightmares.'