Minnesota lawmaker’s killer receives 2 life sentences

Vance Boelter, 58, was sentenced to two consecutive life terms in prison, plus a consecutive 40-year term, for stalking, a double murder, and three attempted murders, U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen’s office said Thursday. Boelter in June 2025 fatally shot Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. He also stalked and attempted to murder a state senator, John Hoffman, along with his wife and daughter. The Hoffman couple suffered severe gunshot wounds.

Boelter posed as a law enforcement officer to gain access to the homes of the Democratic lawmakers. He compiled research on many other Minnesota Democrats and traveled to several of their houses in attempts to harm them. The sentence reflected the seriousness of his offenses, along with Boelter’s admitted intent to target more elected officials, the attorney’s office said.

Boelter originally pleaded not guilty, but changed his plea to guilty in June after the Justice Department said it would not seek the death penalty.

Dig deeper: Read my prior report on the charges against Boelter for more details of his crimes.