Man pleads guilty to assassinating a top Minnesota Democrat and her husband

Published: Thursday, June 11, 2026 at 4:11 pm

A man has pleaded guilty in federal court to the assassinations of a top Minnesota Democrat and her husband, as well as the nonfatal shootings of a state senator and his wife. Vance Boelter entered his plea Thursday after prosecutors indicated they would not pursue the death penalty.

Boelter was charged with the murders of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman. He also faced charges for shooting state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman. The attacks occurred in the early hours of June 14, 2025, when Boelter allegedly arrived at their residences disguised as a police officer and using a fake squad car. The Hortmans' golden retriever was so severely injured during the incident that it had to be euthanized.

Authorities apprehended Boelter, 58, the day after the shootings near his residence. The search for him was described by prosecutors as the largest in Minnesota history. He also faces state charges, which have been pending the outcome of his federal case. The U.S. attorneys office in Minneapolis confirmed that the Justice Department would not seek the death penalty as part of a proposed plea agreement. Minnesota has not had capital punishment since 1911, and there has never been a federal death penalty case in the state. A spokesperson for the Hennepin County Attorneys Office stated that the federal plea deal would not impact the state charges.

Prosecutors have characterized the shootings as politically motivated. In July, they released a handwritten letter attributed to Boelter, which they claim confessed to the attacks. However, the letter did not clearly articulate the reasons behind his targeting of the Hortmans or the Hoffmans. Boelter had also sent messages to media outlets referencing a vague investigation, at times suggesting it was related to the COVID-19 vaccine. Friends have described Boelter as an evangelical Christian with conservative political views who had been experiencing employment difficulties.

The lawsuit filed by John Hoffman against Boelter detailed lasting injuries, including permanent damage to his left arm and hand, as well as his digestive and urinary systems. Yvette Hoffman sustained permanent physical weakness. Their adult daughter, who was present and called for help, was not physically harmed but suffered severe psychological trauma.

BNN's Perspective: This plea agreement brings a significant legal chapter to a close, offering a degree of resolution for the victims and their families. The decision not to pursue the death penalty, while understandable given state law and the nature of federal plea agreements, underscores the complex considerations in such high-profile cases. The focus now shifts to the state charges and the ongoing process of accountability and justice for the profound harm inflicted.

Tags: Vance Boelter, Minnesota Democrat, Minnesota House Speaker, Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, State Sen. John Hoffman, Yvette Hoffman, political assassinations, federal court, plea agreement, death penalty, state charges, COVID-19 vaccine, evangelical Christian, conservative views, permanent injuries, psychological trauma

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