Hortman Assassin Sentenced to Two Life Sentences Plus 40 Years

The man who fatally shot Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, in their Brooklyn Park home will face two life sentences plus 40 years in federal prison.

Vance Boelter — who has admitted to impersonating a police officer and killing the Hortmans, shooting Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, and attempting to kill other lawmakers — took a plea agreement and was spared the death penalty.

His victims faced him Thursday at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis before he was handed down the life sentences.

Prosecutors recommended he be given two life sentences plus 40 years, saying his crimes “are among the most serious ever presented to the court.”

“Boelter’s motive was political,” prosecutors wrote. “He expressed great disdain for the political party he opposed. He was focused on a political protest scheduled at the Minnesota State Capitol on June 14, 2025. And he knew that the Minnesota Legislature was so closely divided that by killing four state legislators, the inevitable result would be a shift in the balance of power in both legislative houses. Boelter’s crimes are among the most serious ever committed in the District of Minnesota. He shattered the lives of his victims. He terrified Minnesota’s public servants. He threatened police and pointed a gun at an officer. He viciously attacked the organs of Minnesota’s representative government.

“Melissa Hortman’s career illustrates what Boelter attacked,” prosecutors continued. “She worked through elections, legislation, debate, negotiation, and compromise. She operated within democratic institutions even when the process was difficult and the disagreements were substantial. Boelter rejected that core American process and attempted to replace it with fear and lethal force. Her life was a testament to the power of democratic governance; his crime was a direct assault on the very foundation of our rule of law.”

Photo of Vance Boelter during his arrest on June 15, 2025/credit law enforcement

Meanwhile, Boelter’s attorneys requested that he be sent to a prison in Florida and be given the opportunity to work and attend in-prison programming.

Boelter attempted to kill the Hoffmans’ daughter and Rep. Kristin Bahner, who was not at her Maple Grove home when he arrived.

He also attempted to kill Sen. Ann Rest, but left her New Hope block when confronted by a police officer.

Boelter is also still expected to face a state trial. Minnesota does not have a death penalty.

Brooklyn Park | Maple Grove | New Hope