VANCE BOELTER SENTENCED TO TWO CONSECUTIVE LIFE TERMS PLUS 40 YEARS FOR THE STALKING AND MURDER OF MINNESOTA STATE LEGISLATORS

MINNEAPOLIS — Vance Luther Boelter has been sentenced to two consecutive life terms in federal prison followed by an additional consecutive 40-year term for the stalking and murders of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, and the stalking and attempted murders of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman, his wife, Yvette Hoffman, and their daughter, Hope Hoffman.

Boelter, 58, was sentenced on July 23, 2026, by U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim in the District of Minnesota.

United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced the sentence, which ensures that Boelter will remain in federal prison for the rest of his life.

Boelter previously pleaded guilty to six federal offenses connected to the June 14, 2025, attacks. The offenses included stalking resulting in death, murder through the use of a firearm, and discharging a firearm during crimes of violence.

According to court documents, Boelter acted alone and conducted extensive research into the elected officials he intended to target. He used disguises, firearms, and law-enforcement-style equipment to approach and gain access to the victims’ homes.

The use of police-style equipment allowed Boelter to present himself as a law enforcement officer, exploiting the public trust associated with a police appearance while carrying out a planned campaign of political violence.

Boelter stalked Senator John Hoffman and Yvette Hoffman before shooting and seriously wounding them at their Champlin home. Their daughter, Hope Hoffman, was forced to call for emergency assistance as her parents suffered devastating gunshot injuries.

Boelter also targeted Melissa and Mark Hortman at their Brooklyn Park home. Both were fatally shot, leaving their children without either parent.

The attacks were not spontaneous or directed at a single residence. Boelter admitted that he researched multiple elected officials and prepared the firearms, disguises, and equipment used during the crimes. His actions showed advance planning and an intent to target more than one Minnesota public servant and members of their families.

The sentence reflects the two lives Boelter took, the additional lives he attempted to take, the lasting injuries suffered by the survivors, and the broader attempt to use violence against elected officials.

Acting Attorney General Blanche said the sentence guarantees that Boelter will spend the remainder of his life in federal custody.

“Our hearts remain with the families and loved ones of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and Mark Hortman, and with Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman, their daughter, and all those whose lives were forever changed by these horrific attacks,” Blanche said. “Today’s sentence ensures that this violent criminal will spend the rest of his life in federal prison for his calculated and heinous acts of violence against Minnesota public servants and their families. Political violence is an attack not only on its immediate victims, but also on our communities, our democratic institutions, and the rule of law. The Justice Department will continue to use every available resource to investigate, prosecute, and hold accountable those who target public officials and engage in acts of violence.”

Rosen described Boelter’s crimes as among the most severe ever prosecuted by the United States Attorney’s Office for the District of Minnesota.

“Vance Boelter’s crimes rank among the most horrific this office has ever prosecuted. Today, the United States ensured that Boelter will spend the rest of his life in prison without the possibility of release. Those who commit political violence at any level should take heed that the Department of Justice will seek and obtain the longest prison terms available for their crimes,” Rosen said. “My deepest condolences go out to the Hortman and Hoffman families as they continue to grieve and heal from this tragedy.”

The consecutive nature of the punishment means the life terms do not run together. The court imposed one life sentence to be followed by the second life sentence, with the additional 40-year term ordered to run after both.

The sentence formally accounts for multiple victims and separate acts of lethal and attempted violence even though Boelter will never complete the first life term and return to society.

FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson said the sentencing represents an important step for the families and communities affected by the attacks.

“Today’s sentencing is an important step toward healing for the families and community forever changed by this political violence,” Dotson said. “Minnesotans deserve to live in a state where their voices are respected and their safety is never threatened by those who try to silence democratic participation through fear. Vance Boelter believed his political opinions outweighed the voice and vote of every other Minnesotan. He was and is profoundly wrong. Minnesota’s law enforcement at every level rallied last June with one shared purpose: to protect our neighbors and defend the democratic values that hold our communities together. The FBI remains committed to using every resource at our disposal to uphold our democracy, defend the Constitution, and eradicate political violence.”

Acting Special Agent in Charge Spence Burnett of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives St. Paul Field Division focused on the people behind the federal counts and the permanent consequences suffered by their families.

“Behind every count in this case is a person whose life Vance Boelter took or tried to take,” Burnett said. “Melissa and Mark Hortman were parents whose children lost them both in a matter of seconds. John and Yvette Hoffman survived devastating gunshot wounds, while their daughter was forced to call for help. Boelter also targeted other legislators. Accountability has its limits in the face of this much loss. No sentence can restore the lives he took, heal those he wounded or undo what these families endured. Today’s sentence does ensure he will spend the rest of his life answering for those decisions.”

Champlin Police Department Chief Glen Schneider said Boelter’s impersonation of a police officer caused damage extending beyond the immediate attacks.

“This sentencing brings accountability for crimes that shook our community and forever changed the lives of those affected. By portraying himself as a police officer while targeting elected officials, the offender caused profound harm and damaged public trust. We are grateful that the prosecution sought the maximum penalties to be imposed and extend our sincere thanks to everyone whose hard work and commitment made this resolution possible,” Schneider said.

Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans said the sentence cannot reverse the deaths, injuries, and fear caused by the attacks but establishes that political violence will be met with accountability.

“No sentence can bring back the Hortmans, repair the terrible harm done to the Hoffmans, or undo the fear felt by people across Minnesota on June 14 and 15 last year,” Evans said. “But today’s sentence is a statement to all Minnesotans that order can be restored, that we will hold people accountable for their crimes, and that political violence is never acceptable.”

Minneapolis Police Department Chief Bill Peterson said Boelter should never be released.

“Vance Boelter is a cold-blooded killer who should never again walk free. His horrific actions forever changed the lives of the Hortman and Hoffman families, spread fear across communities throughout Minnesota, and shocked our nation. We are grateful for this outcome and hope it brings some measure of justice and relief to the families and everyone impacted by this tragedy,” Peterson said.

The investigation required extensive cooperation among federal, state, county, and municipal law enforcement agencies.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, Brooklyn Park Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office, Champlin Police Department, and New Hope Police Department investigated the case with assistance from several other state and local partners.

The Counterterrorism Section of the Justice Department’s National Security Division also assisted. The United States Attorney’s Office worked in partnership with the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office throughout the investigation and prosecution.

Assistant United States Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Matthew D. Forbes prosecuted the federal case.

Boelter’s guilty pleas established his criminal responsibility for the six federal offenses. His sentence was imposed after he admitted stalking his intended victims, murdering Melissa and Mark Hortman, attempting to murder John, Yvette, and Hope Hoffman, and carrying out a calculated attack directed at Minnesota elected officials and their families.

The two consecutive life terms and additional consecutive 40-year sentence ensure that Vance Luther Boelter will never be released from federal prison.

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