Vance Luther Boelter pleaded guilty in federal court in Minneapolis on June 11, 2026, nearly one year after authorities said he killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman.
Boelter, 58, also admitted to charges tied to the shootings of Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, at their Champlin home on June 14, 2025. Federal prosecutors said Boelter pleaded guilty in court to murder, stalking, and firearms charges.
The plea agreement removes the possibility of a federal death penalty trial. Prosecutors said the deal calls for two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years.
Boelter remains in custody. A formal sentencing hearing is expected later this summer, when victims and family members may address the court.
Attacks began in Champlin.
The attacks began before dawn at the Hoffman home in Champlin, a suburb northwest of Minneapolis. Investigators said Boelter arrived dressed to look like a police officer.
John Hoffman answered the door. Prosecutors said Boelter falsely claimed there had been a shooting and asked whether guns were inside the home.
Boelter then shot John and Yvette Hoffman multiple times, officials said. Both survived after serious injuries and emergency surgery.
The Hoffmans’ adult daughter, Hope, was also at the home. Family statements and court filings have credited her quick actions with helping alert authorities.
Hortmans were killed in Brooklyn Park.
After leaving Champlin, investigators said Boelter drove to the Brooklyn Park home of Melissa and Mark Hortman. Melissa Hortman had served as Minnesota House speaker and was one of the state’s most prominent Democratic lawmakers.
Boelter again used a police-style disguise, prosecutors said. He wore tactical gear, a mask, and other items meant to make him appear connected to law enforcement.
Mark Hortman answered the door after Boelter knocked and claimed he was conducting a welfare check. Prosecutors said Boelter shot him after Mark Hortman asked for credentials.
Boelter then shot Melissa Hortman as she tried to run upstairs, officials said. Courtroom details reported by CNN said Boelter admitted to shooting her at close range during the plea hearing.
Prosecutors say the attack was planned.
Federal prosecutors described the shootings as a planned campaign against elected officials and their families. Investigators said Boelter had gathered information on targets before the attacks.
Authorities said he traveled to multiple lawmakers’ homes that morning. Two other lawmakers were not reached before police began checking on officials who might be in danger.
Investigators later found weapons and documents that suggested a broader threat. Reuters reported the plea agreement followed Justice Department approval to drop the death penalty path.
Officials said Boelter’s use of a police disguise made the attacks especially dangerous. The disguise allowed him to approach private homes while appearing to hold official authority.
The manhunt lasted nearly 43 hours.
The shootings triggered a large law enforcement response across Minnesota. Officers began checking on public officials after the Hoffman attack and encountered Boelter near the Hortman home, prosecutors said.
Boelter escaped after exchanging gunfire with police. Authorities said he left behind a vehicle containing weapons and other evidence.
The search lasted nearly 43 hours. Local, state, and federal officers joined the manhunt across several communities.
Boelter was arrested near Green Isle, Minnesota, about a mile from his home. Officials later described the search as one of the largest manhunts in state history.
State charges remain active.
The federal guilty plea does not end the legal case against Boelter. He still faces state charges in Hennepin County.
The Hennepin County Attorney’s Office said a grand jury returned an indictment against Boelter in 2025. The state charges include first-degree premeditated murder and attempted murder counts.
Minnesota does not have the death penalty. The most serious state charges can still carry life imprisonment without parole.
County Attorney Mary Moriarty has said Boelter will be held accountable in a Hennepin County courtroom. No final state trial date has been announced.
Minnesota honors Hortmans
The killings led to renewed warnings about threats against public officials and their families. The case also drew attention to the security risks faced by local and state lawmakers.
Gov. Tim Walz proclaimed June 2026 Public Service Month in honor of Melissa and Mark Hortman. The state proclamation recognized the Hortmans’ service and urged Minnesotans to volunteer in their memory.
Melissa Hortman served in the Minnesota House for years and became speaker in 2019. Mark Hortman was remembered in state tributes for his service to his family and community.
The proclamation also recognized the Hoffmans and their daughter, Hope. It noted the grief that remains one year after the attacks.
Sentencing expected this summer.
Boelter’s federal sentencing is expected later this summer before U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim. Prosecutors are seeking two life sentences plus 40 years under the plea agreement.
Victims and surviving family members are expected to have an opportunity to speak before sentencing is finalized. The hearing will mark the next major step in the federal case.
The Minnesota state case remains pending in Hennepin County. Boelter remains jailed as prosecutors continue to pursue the remaining charges.
