Vance Boelter Pleads Guilty After Deadly Plot Targeting Minnesota Lawmakers

Vance Boelter on Thursday pleaded guilty to federal murder, stalking and firearms charges after admitting he carried out a series of targeted attacks that killed Minnesota state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, wounded two others and attempted a fourth attack. The federal plea deal removes the death penalty from consideration and formalizes prosecutors’ account of what they described as among the most destabilizing political crimes in Minnesota history.

Sentence and Outstanding State Charges

Under the plea agreement approved by Acting U.S. Attorney General Todd Blanche, Boelter was sentenced by Judge John R. Tunheim to multiple life terms plus 40 years in federal prison. State prosecutors continue to pursue their own case, which includes first‑degree murder charges.

Planned, Targeted Attacks

Federal investigators say Boelter spent months researching lawmakers’ home addresses and routines, assembling police‑style gear—tactical armor, a badge and a full‑head silicone mask—and stockpiling multiple firearms, including a 9 mm handgun and several rifles. A notebook recovered from his vehicle listed nearly 70 names, which federal filings say were all Democrats.

Sequence Of Incidents

Disguised as a police officer and driving an SUV fitted with emergency lights and a fake "POLICE" plate, Boelter approached several lawmakers’ homes. At the residence of state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman, Boelter shone a flashlight and falsely said there had been a shooting inside. When the Hoffmans realized he was not law enforcement, a struggle ensued and both were shot multiple times; their daughter called 911 and both were transported to a hospital with critical injuries and later survived.

Security footage captured Boelter at the home of state Representative Kristin Bahner, where he claimed to have a warrant; no one answered. A separate officer checking on state Senator Ann Rest observed a vehicle that appeared to be a police car; the driver (later identified as Boelter) stared straight ahead and drove off when other officers arrived.

When officers later approached the home of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, they found Boelter standing at her front door with emergency lights flashing. Investigators say he opened fire, killing Melissa and her husband Mark at the scene; the couple’s dog, Gilbert, was also killed. Boelter fled on foot, leaving behind his silicone mask, a pistol, a tactical vest and the notebook with dozens of names.

Manhunt And Capture

Police located Boelter’s wife and children in a vehicle that contained cash, passports and two handguns; messages on her phone included texts from Boelter saying, "Dad went to war last night," and warning that armed officers would arrive. Authorities issued a shelter‑in‑place alert across Brooklyn Park and activated the State Emergency Operations Center. Hundreds of officers, deputies and FBI agents conducted coordinated searches, which officials later described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota history.

While on the run, Boelter purchased an electric bike and a Buick sedan from strangers. Security footage showed him withdrawing $2,200 to pay for the vehicle. Officers found an abandoned Buick containing a handwritten letter to the FBI in which Boelter admitted he was "the shooter at large in Minnesota involved in the 2 shootings." After hours of searches using drones, grid sweeps and door‑to‑door checks, officers located Boelter in a wooded area near Green Isle. He surrendered without resistance, crawling toward officers and taken into custody.

Charges And Prosecutors' Statement

A federal grand jury indicted Boelter on six counts, including the murders of Melissa and Mark Hortman, the shootings of John and Yvette Hoffman, and the attempted shooting of their daughter, Hope Hoffman, who was unharmed. Federal prosecutors described the attacks as "the likes of which have never been seen in Minnesota." State-level charges remain pending as prosecutors continue their investigation.

Note: All facts here are drawn from federal filings and court statements related to Boelter’s plea and sentencing.