Boelter Pleads guilty in federal case

By Twincitieslocalnews staff

The man responsible for last summer’s attacks on two Minnesota lawmakers and their families has pleaded guilty in federal court.

Vance Boelter admitted on Thursday to all six federal counts tied to the June 14th, 2025 shootings that killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and seriously wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette. The counts include two counts of stalking, two counts of murder through use of a firearm, and two federal firearm-shooting offenses.

The Green Isle man appeared for a change-of-plea hearing before U.S. District Judge John Tunheim in Minneapolis, reversing the not guilty plea he had previously entered. Under the deal, federal prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty.

Under the plea agreement, Boelter’s recommended sentence is two consecutive life terms plus 40 years in federal prison. Judge Tunheim said he will set a sentencing date within 10 days, with a hearing expected before the end of July.

Between the Hoffman and Hortman shootings, Boelter went to the homes of two other lawmakers, Representative Kristin Bahner of Maple Grove and Senator Ann Rest of New Hope, but did not make contact with either family. He was arrested in a field near his Green Isle home after a 43-hour search that has been described as the largest manhunt in state history.

U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen said the Justice Department expects Boelter will spend the rest of his life in prison without parole, calling political violence a scourge on the nation and warning that prosecutors will pursue the longest possible terms for such offenses.

Boelter still faces separate state charges, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder, four counts of attempted first-degree murder, and one count each of felony cruelty to an animal and impersonating an officer.