Vance Boelter, 59, was sentenced Thursday to two consecutive life terms plus 40 years in prison for murder and attempted murders

On June 14, 2025, House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot at their home on around 2am

The same shooter, dressed as a police officer, shot state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, at their home around 4am, leaving the couple critically injured

Last month, Vance Boelter pled guilty to the federal charges over the shootings, opting for the maximum prison sentence in lieu of the death sentence

With the conclusion of the federal case, Boelter now faces eight state charges – two counts first-degree premeditated murder, four counts attempted first-degree murder, felony cruelty to an animal and impersonating a police officer

Vance Boetler pled guilty to fatal shooting of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman [photo], dead at their Brooklyn Park home on June 14, 2025

The man who convicted for the murders of a top Democratic lawmaker in Minnesota and her husband has been sentenced to spend the rest of his life behind bars over the grisly killing.
59-year-old Vance Boelter, of Minnesota was handed two consecutive life terms plus 40 years in prison over the murders of House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and the shootings of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. The Hoffmans survived their injuries.
On June 14, 2025, Mellisa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot at their home on around 2am. Hours earlier the same shooter who was dressed as a police officer, shot Senator Hoffman and his wife were also shot at their home around 4am, leaving the couple critically injured.
The shooter was identified as Vance Boelter, a Minnesotan who previously worked in the state’s public service, and once served on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, which works closely with Governor Tim Walz to give advice on the state’s workforce.
A year after the killings Boelter pled guilty to his crimes, avoiding the death penalty. In lieu, he agreed to the maximum sentence allowed, short of capital punishment.

Vance Boelter, impersonating a cop [right], killed Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark. Earlier that night he shot and critically injured state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. He’s been sentenced to two consecutive life terms, plus additional 40 years in prison

Boelter has also lived a life of public service before today’s tragedies, and he even served on the Governor’s Workforce Development Board, which works closely with Governor Tim Walz to give advice on the state’s workforce.
Before sentence was handed down on Thursday July 22, the killer tried to apologize, but as he began to address the court, supporters of the victims streamed out of court.
‘To every person I have caused loss, pain, heartache, confusion, sadness, shame, or loneliness, I am truly sorry,’ Boelter said from the box.

Per the plea arrengement Vance Boelter reached with federal prosecutors last month, he admitted to murder and stalking charges, opting for the maximum penalty, in lieu of the death sentence

Entering his plea last month, Boelter admitted in court that he spent months identifying and stalking his targets, before driving to their homes of the marks in the middle of the night disguised as a police officer, with the intention of killing them.
Boelter went to the Hortmans’ home, wearing a tactical uniform and mask, about 3.30am on June 14, 2025. He rang the doorbell while shouting he was a police officer doing a welfare check, according to court documents.
Mark Hortman answered the door. Boelter gave him a fake name and badge number before requesting he summon Melissa Hortman to the door as well. 
He shot Mark Hortman multiple times before pushing into the house and shooting the lawmaker as she fled upstairs. Melissa and Mark Hortman were both killed.
Boelter had already visited the Hoffmans’ home that night, shooting and critically injuring the senator and his wife, according to police and court documents. 
Court documents said Boelter also went to two other lawmakers’ houses that night.
In one instance, no one answered the door, and in the other, Boelter was spooked when a police officer approached him in his car believing he was another officer.
The Hortman family’s golden retriever was gravely injured in the shootings and had to be euthanized. 
The killings sparked the largest police search in state history.
Wearing orange prison garb and shackled at the ankles, Boelter sat extremely still, never looking at the survivors and family members as they read their victim impact statements.

On the night of June 14, 2025, Boetler shot and critically injured state Sen John Hoffman and wife Yvette [photo], at their residence, before driving to the home of the the Hortmans

In court Thursday, Sen Hoffman condemned Boelter’s ‘acts of calculated violence’ as he shared how he and his family are reminded of the horrific shooting every day.
He said they don’t receive mail at home anymore, they installed solid steel doors, and that they have changed how they do everyday tasks because of their injuries.
‘The defendant looked me in the eyes and pulled the trigger. The defendant looked at my wife and chose to do the same,’ Hoffman said. 
‘My wife and I now live with injuries. We live with our bodies remembering the gunfire.’
He quoted several Bible passages in an apparent attempt to counter Boelter’s request to be judged based on his years of faith and service in the church.
‘The court will hand down the defendant’s sentence. Mine continues forever,’ Hoffman said.
‘The defendant did not simply decide to take life. He attempted to silence people and send a message that violence is stronger than democracy.’ 

Hortman family’s golden retriever, gravely injured in the shootings, was euthanized. He faces the state charge of felony cruelty to an animal

Yvette Hoffman said she has been too traumatized to work since the attack in their home, and that she sees a therapist weekly.
‘I fought him, your Honor, with everything I had. And I finally got him out of our home. I will never forget looking down and watching my blood slowly stream down that white washing machine as I felt myself sinking to the floor,’ she said, barely holding back tears as she spoke. 
‘We always have an escape plan now. This isn’t how people should live.’
She added that she hopes once Boelter dies ‘his body is carried out of prison in one of those body bags he intended for my family.’
Mark Hortman’s parents and siblings expressed reservations with the justice system and their anger towards the killer.
‘It will not offer me peace of mind that he will have room and board provided for the rest of his life, paid for by my tax dollars,’ said Lisa Hortman Bean, Mark’s sister.

Colin Hortman, [left], arrives at the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse in Minneapolis on Thursday, to attend sentencing hearing for the stranger who murdered his parents

With the federal case now concluded, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has announced that her office will now move forward with state charges against Boelter who faces eight counts in state court including:
Two counts first-degree premeditated murders of Speaker Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman.
Three counts attempted first-degree murder of Sen. John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman and Hope Hoffman.
One count attempted first-degree murder of Rep. Kristin Bahner.
Felony cruelty to an animal and Impersonating a police officer.
Additionally, a personal injury lawsuit against Boelter, filed April by Sen. Hoffman and his family remains pending. The convict is due in Hennepin County Court on August 3.