Man Pleads Guilty in Fatal Shooting of Minnesota Lawmaker and Husband

A man accused of politically motivated killings has pleaded guilty to shooting and killing Minnesota Democrat Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, last June. Vance Boelter, 58, also admitted to shooting state lawmaker John Hoffman and his wife Yvette in their home; the couple survived the attack.

Boelter pleaded guilty to six counts, including murder and stalking, and is expected to spend the rest of his life in prison. Prosecutors are seeking two life sentences, plus 40 years for Boelter. Sentencing is anticipated next month.

The guilty plea comes after the US Attorney’s Office announced it would not seek the death penalty in the case. US Attorney Daniel Rosen stated in a letter that the decision was due to the plea agreement. “The Attorney General has authorized and directed the government not to seek the death penalty against Defendant Vance Luther Boelter in accordance with the terms delineated in a proposed plea agreement,” Rosen wrote.

This agreement addresses federal charges. State officials indicated that the state of Minnesota still needs to resolve its case against Boelter. State charges include premeditated murder, attempted murder, cruelty to an animal, and impersonating an officer.

The attacks occur amid heightened concerns about political violence in the U.S. and increasing worries about attacks on lawmakers and prominent political figures. Months prior to the Minnesota incident, an arsonist set fire to the home of the Democratic Governor of Pennsylvania. Three months after the Minnesota shootings, conservative commentator Charlie Kirk was shot during a speaking event at a university in Utah. U.S. President Donald Trump has also been the target of several assassination attempts, including one in April at a hotel in Washington D.C.