A Minnesota man who posed as a police officer has pleaded guilty to carrying out a deadly attack targeting elected Democrats, avoiding the death penalty under a plea agreement.
Plea deal reached
Vance Boelter, originally pleading not guilty, changed his plea Thursday after reaching a deal with federal prosecutors. In exchange, prosecutors agreed not to seek the death penalty, according to NBC News. Under the agreement, Boelter is expected to receive two consecutive life sentences plus an additional 40 years in prison, reports CBS News. A judge approved the deal and ordered an expedited sentencing process, with the hearing expected before the end of July. While the final decision rests with the court, the judge indicated the recommended sentence will likely be accepted.
Deadly attack on lawmakers
A federal grand jury indicted Boelter last year on six charges, including stalking and murder through use of a firearm, tied to a series of shootings on June 14, 2025. Authorities say Boelter disguised himself as a police officer and targeted Democratic lawmakers at their homes. One attack ended with the deaths of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, at their residence in Brooklyn Park. Investigators say the gunman arrived wearing a police-style disguise and driving a fake squad car. The couple's golden retriever was also critically wounded and later euthanized, reports CNN.
Attack on second lawmaker
Before arriving at the Hortmans' home, Boelter allegedly attacked Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, at their home in Champlin, per NBC News. Both survived despite being shot multiple times. Former U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson said Boelter also tried to kill the couple's daughter, Hope, but her parents shielded her from the gunfire.
Elaborate disguise
Investigators say Boelter went to extraordinary lengths to make his disguise believable. According to NBC News, he wore a hyper-realistic silicone face mask, tactical vest, and body armour. Armed with a handgun and flashlight, he reportedly pounded on the Hoffmans' door while yelling, "This is the police! Open the door!" After shooting the Hoffmans, authorities say Boelter drove to the homes of two other state officials, who were not there, before continuing to the Hortmans' residence. The attacks were carefully planned, according to details released by the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of Minnesota. The manhunt lasted two days and ended when officers found Boelter crawling through a rural field.
Political motivation
Prosecutors have consistently described the attacks as politically motivated. They released a handwritten letter allegedly sent by Boelter to FBI Director Kash Patel in which he confessed to the shootings, though the letter did not clearly explain why the Hortmans and Hoffmans were targeted, reports CNN. The attacks sent shockwaves through Minnesota and reignited concerns about rising political violence in the United States, reports the New York Times. Lawmakers who once publicly listed their home addresses have removed personal information from their websites, and security checkpoints have since been installed at the Minnesota State Capitol.
