Vance Boelter changes plea to guilty following murder of Minn. lawmaker and husband

 

Vance Boelter entered a surprise guilty plea in federal court, admitting to the assassination of Minnesota Democrat Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, last year.

 

The Department of Justice (DOJ) announced on Thursday that Boelter pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple charges. The counts stem from the stalking and fatal shooting of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the stalking and shooting of John and Yvette Hoffman and the attempted shooting of their daughter, Hope Hoffman.

 

Boelter killed Melissa Hortman (D-Minn.) and her husband at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on June 14, 2025. The attack occurred roughly 90 minutes after Boelter had shot and severely wounded State Senator John Hoffman (D-Minn.) and his wife at their home nearby in Champlin, Minnesota.

“Court documents allege that Boelter acted with the intent to kill, injure, harass, and intimidate the victims, and that his conduct placed them in reasonable fear of death and serious bodily injury,” the DOJ stated. “During these attacks, Melissa and Mark Hortman were shot and killed, and John and Yvette Hoffman suffered life‑threatening injuries.”

 

“The change in plea by Vance Boelter represents an important step toward accountability for the devastating acts that shook our community,” said Interim Chief Bill Peterson of the Minneapolis Police Department. “While this outcome again reflects the unwavering partnership among local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the many others who’ve worked tirelessly on this case, no legal proceeding could undo the pain suffered by the Hortman and Hoffman families.

Boelter will now serve two life sentences plus an additional 40 years, with prosecutors agreeing not to pursue the death penalty. The move was approved by Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche, according to the court filing on Wednesday.

“The Attorney General has authorized and directed the government not to seek the death penalty against Defendant Vance Luther Boelter in accordance with the terms delineated in a proposed plea agreement, a copy of which has been submitted to the Court,” the filing states.

 Boelter also faces state charges including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder, felony animal cruelty and impersonating a police officer.

Authorities allege that on the day of the shootings, Boelter was heavily armed and disguised as a police officer, wearing tactical armor, a police-style badge and a silicone mask when he arrived at the lawmakers’ homes.

The Hoffman family has also filed a civil lawsuit against Boelter, accusing him of assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress. According to the complaint filed in April, John and Yvette Hoffman required approximately six weeks of hospitalization following the shooting. Their daughter, Hope — who was home during the attack and called 911 — was also forced to suspend her education due to severe emotional trauma, the suit states.

 

“There is no justice for Mark and Melissa Hortman,” Hoffman’s family said in the statement. “While the legal process may provide accountability, true healing requires something more from all of us. The choice we’ve made is to go forward with public service and being present for our community … This plea brings us closer to justice, but we remain committed to honoring the victims, protecting our community, and ensuring that accountability is achieved through the rule of law,” the DOJ stated.