Vance Boelter pleaded guilty this morning to federal charges related to the murders of former State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. Boelter also pleaded guilty to charges related to the shootings of State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.
Boelter had initially pleaded not guilty last August. However, he changed his plea today after a deal was reached with authorities. Boelter pleaded guilty to two counts of murder through the use of a firearm, two counts of stalking, and two federal firearms offenses.
“We now expect Vance Boelter will spend the rest of his natural life in prison without parole,” U.S. Attorney Dan Rosen said in a statement. “To all of those who would commit political violence: this Justice Department will seek and obtain the longest prison terms for your offense.”
At a press event discussing the plea deal, Rosen said federal authorities offered not to seek the death penalty if Boelter agreed to the plea deal he entered into today. Rosen said that was “the only circumstance” where the death penalty would be off the table.
According to multiple news outlets, Boelter will face two life sentences plus an additional 40 years in prison.
In the early morning hours of June 14, 2025, Hoffman and his wife were shot multiple times in their Champlin home by a man who was posing as a police officer. The Hoffmans survived after their daughter, Hope, called authorities.
Shortly thereafter, Mark and Melissa Hortman were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home by a gunman posing as a police officer. A 43-hour manhunt for the gunman ensued which eventually led to the apprehension of Boelter.
Before Boelter was apprehended, authorities found Boelter’s reported “hit list” which included names of abortion clinics and DFL politicians. After Boelter was apprehended, authorities found a letter Boelter addressed to FBI Director Kash Patel.
In the letter, Boelter confessed to being the “shooter at large in Minnesota” and alleged that he had been “trained by U.S. Military people off the books starting in college.”
Boelter also alleged that he was part of a plot in which Gov. Tim Walz threatened to hurt Boelter’s family unless Boelter killed U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar and someone named Tina. The letter’s mention of “Tina” appears to be a reference to U.S. Sen. Tina Smith.
The letter also said Walz “personally appointed” Boelter to a government board. Public records show Boelter was appointed to the Minnesota Governor’s Workforce Development Board twice, once in 2016 by Gov. Mark Dayton and again in 2019 by Walz.
That board, which advises the governor on workforce matters affecting the state, is one of more than 250 boards and commissions throughout state government. Boelter’s time on the board ended in 2023.
“Violence targeting public officials is an affront to our democracy,” Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said in a statement. “We are grateful for all the agencies that worked in partnership to bring Mr. Boelter into custody and prepare a case that forced the guilty plea accepted in court today.”
While Boelter’s guilty plea brings some closure to one of the darkest chapters in Minnesota history, the absence of a trial means questions surrounding Boelter, his actions leading up to the shootings, and his motives may go unanswered.
However, Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty announced that her office would still pursue state murder charges against Boelter despite the federal plea deal. Should that case go to trial, more information about Boelter’s motives could come out then.
Luke Sprinkel
Luke Sprinkel previously worked as a Legislative Assistant at the Minnesota House of Representatives. He grew up as a Missionary Kid (MK) living in England, Thailand, Tanzania, and the Middle East. Luke graduated from Regent University in 2018.
