Accused lawmaker killer, Vance Boelter, changes pleas to guilty in federal case

MINNEAPOLIS (KVRR/AP) — A man charged with killing the top Democrat in the Minnesota House and her husband has pleaded guilty to federal charges.

It comes after federal prosecutors said they would not seek the death penalty.

Vance Boelter fatally shot Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.

He is also charged with shooting and injuring state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

He came to their doors in the early hours of June 14, 2025, disguised as a police officer and driving a fake police vehicle.

U.S. Attorney Daniel N. Rosen said in a press conference that they believed the case was charged appropriately and “death penalty-eligible.” He said the death penalty was only taken off the table with Boelter’s agreement to the longest possible prison sentence: two consecutive life terms, plus 40 years, for the six federal charges.

The attacks reverberated far beyond Minnesota, as elected officials across the country feared that escalating threats and polarization could lead to more violence.

Boelter’s state case has been on hold pending the resolution of his federal charges.