Boelter To Avoid Death Penalty After Guilty Plea In Hortman Assassinations

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Vance Luther Boelter pleaded guilty Thursday in federal court to charges tied to the stalking and murder of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, in a plea deal that spares him the death penalty but is expected to send him to prison for the rest of his life.

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Boelter, of Green Isle, pleaded guilty to all federal counts during a change-of-plea hearing before U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim, according to the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota.

The charges include two stalkings, two murders through use of a firearm, and two federal firearm-shooting offenses.

The plea agreement calls for two life sentences plus 40 years in prison. Federal prosecutors will not seek the death penalty.

"We now expect Vance Boelter will spend the rest of his natural life in prison without parole," U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen said in a statement. "To all of those who would commit political violence: this Justice Department will seek and obtain the longest prison terms for your offense."

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According to court documents, Boelter used GPS navigation systems, interstate wires, the Internet, and other interstate communication systems to plan and carry out a coordinated series of attacks on June 14, 2025, targeting the Hortman and Hoffman families in Brooklyn Park and Champlin.

Prosecutors said Boelter acted with the intent to kill, injure, harass, and intimidate the victims.

Melissa and Mark Hortman were shot and killed during the attacks. State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, suffered life-threatening injuries, according to federal prosecutors.

Boelter was also accused of attempting to shoot the Hoffmans' daughter, Hope Hoffman.

The attacks triggered a nearly 43-hour manhunt involving local, state and federal law enforcement agencies across Minnesota.

"Political violence is a scourge in our nation," Rosen said.

FBI Minneapolis Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson said Boelter carried out "a violent crime spree unlike any other seen in Minnesota."

"For nearly 43 hours after his despicable crimes began, the FBI, BCA, and law enforcement partners from all over the state worked non-stop to track him down and end his campaign of political violence," Dotson said in a statement.

ATF St. Paul Field Division Special Agent in Charge Joe Persails said the attacks shook the entire Minnesota community.

"Today's guilty plea cannot return what was taken from these families, but it makes clear that anyone who chooses to bring this kind of violence to our communities will answer for that choice," Persails said.

Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans called the killings "a heinous and unprecedented act of political violence against Minnesota's political leaders."

"To the Hortman and Hoffman families, Minnesota continues to mourn the loss and the suffering you have endured," Evans said. "We hope today's guilty plea brings you some measure of solace."

The FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, ATF, Brooklyn Park Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff's Office, Champlin Police Department and New Hope Police Department were among the agencies involved in the investigation.

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Matthew D. Forbes are prosecuting the case.

Reporting from the Associated Press was used in this story.