THE Minnesota man who pleaded guilty to assassinating a top Democratic lawmaker and attempting to murder another was sentenced to life in federal prison yesterday, 13 months after he disguised himself as a police officer and attacked the legislators at their homes.
Vance Boelter, 59, was given consecutive life sentences plus 40 years by US District Court Judge John Tunheim in Minneapolis, local media reported. He pleaded guilty to six counts in June, including murder, stalking and gun-related charges, part of a plea deal that allowed him to avoid a potential death sentence.
The Minnesota US Attorney’s office did not immediately reply to a request for comment.
Boelter, wearing a silicone mask, donned a police uniform and drove an SUV with a licence plate that read, ‘Police,’ as he carried out the late-night shootings on June 14, 2025.
After ringing the doorbell and gaining entry, Boelter fatally shot Melissa Hortman, the top Democrat in the Minnesota House of Representatives, and her husband Mark in their home. Earlier, he also shot and wounded state Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their home a few miles away.
He also visited the homes of two other lawmakers that night, authorities said, but no one answered the door at one house and Boelter left the other home when a police officer, believing him to be a fellow officer, approached his car.
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