Topline: Vance Boelter faces two consecutive life terms plus 40 years under a plea deal that eliminates the death penalty.
Published: June 13, 2026 6:00 am ET
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Left: Vance Boelter, Right: State House Speaker Melissa Hortman (via Hennepin County Sheriff's Office/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Minnesota man pleaded guilty in federal court June 11 to the 2025 murders of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband as part of a plea agreement sparing him the death penalty.
Vance Boelter, 58, entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, admitting to two counts of murder, federal court records show. Boelter also pleaded guilty to shooting State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, attempting to shoot their daughter, Hope, stalking the politicians, and committing a firearms offense.
Under the terms of the agreement, Boelter agreed to a sentence of two consecutive life terms in prison plus an additional 40 years, according to reports by the Associated Press. A date for formal sentencing has not been scheduled.
Family members of the victims, including the Hoffmans and the Hortmans’ children, Sophie and Colin, attended the court proceedings Thursday, according to CBS News.
The attacks occurred in the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, according to the criminal complaint. Federal prosecutors stated Boelter drove to the Hoffman residence in Champlin, Minnesota, operating a vehicle modified to resemble a police squad car.
Boelter wore a counterfeit police uniform and a silicone mask while announcing himself as a law enforcement officer, the complaint stated. The Hoffmans recognized Boelter was not an officer and attempted to close the front door before Boelter fired multiple rounds at them.
According to investigators, Boelter carried a list containing the names and addresses of dozens of Democratic officials in Minnesota. Boelter targeted two other officials after leaving the Hoffman residence, but one was away from home and police presence at the second location forced Boelter to flee.
Boelter then traveled to the Hortman home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Police officers, who were checking on Hortman following the Hoffman shooting, observed Boelter standing near the front door dressed in dark clothing, the complaint stated.
Boelter fired at the responding officers, entered the residence, and shot the couple multiple times, according to federal records. A dog belonging to the family was also shot during the incident and was later euthanized due to severe injuries.
Boelter fled the scene, initiating a two-day manhunt by law enforcement. Authorities arrested Boelter near his residence in Green Isle, Minnesota, two days after the shootings.
The Hoffmans have filed a civil lawsuit against Boelter seeking damages for permanent injuries sustained during the attack, according to court documents reviewed by People magazine.
In the civil filing, John Hoffman stated he suffered permanent damage to his digestive and urinary systems, and his left arm and hand will likely never recover full function. Yvette Hoffman stated she experiences ongoing physical weakness that prevents her from performing her previous job duties.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
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Gunman Pleads Guilty to Murder of Speaker Melissa Hortman and Husband
Vance Boelter faces two consecutive life terms plus 40 years under a plea deal that eliminates the death penalty.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 13, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Vance Boelter, Right: State House Speaker Melissa Hortman (via Hennepin County Sheriff's Office/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Minnesota man pleaded guilty in federal court June 11 to the 2025 murders of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband as part of a plea agreement sparing him the death penalty.
Vance Boelter, 58, entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, admitting to two counts of murder, federal court records show. Boelter also pleaded guilty to shooting State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, attempting to shoot their daughter, Hope, stalking the politicians, and committing a firearms offense.
Under the terms of the agreement, Boelter agreed to a sentence of two consecutive life terms in prison plus an additional 40 years, according to reports by the Associated Press. A date for formal sentencing has not been scheduled.
Family members of the victims, including the Hoffmans and the Hortmans’ children, Sophie and Colin, attended the court proceedings Thursday, according to CBS News.
The attacks occurred in the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, according to the criminal complaint. Federal prosecutors stated Boelter drove to the Hoffman residence in Champlin, Minnesota, operating a vehicle modified to resemble a police squad car.
Boelter wore a counterfeit police uniform and a silicone mask while announcing himself as a law enforcement officer, the complaint stated. The Hoffmans recognized Boelter was not an officer and attempted to close the front door before Boelter fired multiple rounds at them.
According to investigators, Boelter carried a list containing the names and addresses of dozens of Democratic officials in Minnesota. Boelter targeted two other officials after leaving the Hoffman residence, but one was away from home and police presence at the second location forced Boelter to flee.
Boelter then traveled to the Hortman home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Police officers, who were checking on Hortman following the Hoffman shooting, observed Boelter standing near the front door dressed in dark clothing, the complaint stated.
Boelter fired at the responding officers, entered the residence, and shot the couple multiple times, according to federal records. A dog belonging to the family was also shot during the incident and was later euthanized due to severe injuries.
Boelter fled the scene, initiating a two-day manhunt by law enforcement. Authorities arrested Boelter near his residence in Green Isle, Minnesota, two days after the shootings.
The Hoffmans have filed a civil lawsuit against Boelter seeking damages for permanent injuries sustained during the attack, according to court documents reviewed by People magazine.
In the civil filing, John Hoffman stated he suffered permanent damage to his digestive and urinary systems, and his left arm and hand will likely never recover full function. Yvette Hoffman stated she experiences ongoing physical weakness that prevents her from performing her previous job duties.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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Editor Picks
Latest Articles
Gunman Pleads Guilty to Murder of Speaker Melissa Hortman and Husband
Vance Boelter faces two consecutive life terms plus 40 years under a plea deal that eliminates the death penalty.
By Kate Byrd
Published: June 13, 2026 6:00 am ET
Left: Vance Boelter, Right: State House Speaker Melissa Hortman (via Hennepin County Sheriff's Office/The Minnesota Star Tribune)
MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A Minnesota man pleaded guilty in federal court June 11 to the 2025 murders of former state House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband as part of a plea agreement sparing him the death penalty.
Vance Boelter, 58, entered his plea in U.S. District Court in Minneapolis, admitting to two counts of murder, federal court records show. Boelter also pleaded guilty to shooting State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, attempting to shoot their daughter, Hope, stalking the politicians, and committing a firearms offense.
Under the terms of the agreement, Boelter agreed to a sentence of two consecutive life terms in prison plus an additional 40 years, according to reports by the Associated Press. A date for formal sentencing has not been scheduled.
Family members of the victims, including the Hoffmans and the Hortmans’ children, Sophie and Colin, attended the court proceedings Thursday, according to CBS News.
The attacks occurred in the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, according to the criminal complaint. Federal prosecutors stated Boelter drove to the Hoffman residence in Champlin, Minnesota, operating a vehicle modified to resemble a police squad car.
Boelter wore a counterfeit police uniform and a silicone mask while announcing himself as a law enforcement officer, the complaint stated. The Hoffmans recognized Boelter was not an officer and attempted to close the front door before Boelter fired multiple rounds at them.
According to investigators, Boelter carried a list containing the names and addresses of dozens of Democratic officials in Minnesota. Boelter targeted two other officials after leaving the Hoffman residence, but one was away from home and police presence at the second location forced Boelter to flee.
Boelter then traveled to the Hortman home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Police officers, who were checking on Hortman following the Hoffman shooting, observed Boelter standing near the front door dressed in dark clothing, the complaint stated.
Boelter fired at the responding officers, entered the residence, and shot the couple multiple times, according to federal records. A dog belonging to the family was also shot during the incident and was later euthanized due to severe injuries.
Boelter fled the scene, initiating a two-day manhunt by law enforcement. Authorities arrested Boelter near his residence in Green Isle, Minnesota, two days after the shootings.
The Hoffmans have filed a civil lawsuit against Boelter seeking damages for permanent injuries sustained during the attack, according to court documents reviewed by People magazine.
In the civil filing, John Hoffman stated he suffered permanent damage to his digestive and urinary systems, and his left arm and hand will likely never recover full function. Yvette Hoffman stated she experiences ongoing physical weakness that prevents her from performing her previous job duties.
Presumption of Innocence: A presumption of innocence means that any defendant in a criminal trial is presumed to be innocent until they have been proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The defendant in this case is only accused of the charges set forth in the criminal complaint. They are innocent until proven guilty.
Editor's Note: ThePo makes every effort to accurately transcribe the contents of affidavits of probable cause contained in criminal complaints. Often, the complaints themselves are copies of copies of faxed copies, and are difficult to read. To confirm the accuracy of our transcription, contact the Magisterial District Court listed above and request a copy of the criminal complaint. It's a public record to which you are entitled.
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