Boelter Pleaded Guilty for His Role in the Stalking and Murder of Minnesota State Legislators

MINNEAPOLIS - United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen announced today that Vance Luther Boelter, of Green Isle, Minnesota, has pleaded guilty in federal court to multiple charges related to the stalking, shooting, and murdering of Minnesota House of Representatives Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman, as well as the stalking and shooting of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette Hoffman, and attempted shooting of their daughter Hope Hoffman.

According to court documents in United States v. Vance Luther Boelter, No. 25-cr-272 (JRT/DJF), on or about June 14, 2025, Boelter used GPS navigation systems, interstate wires, the Internet, and other interstate communication systems to plan and carry out a coordinated series of violent attacks targeting the Hortman and Hoffman families in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota. Court documents allege that Boelter acted with the intent to kill, injure, harass, and intimidate the victims, and that his conduct placed them in reasonable fear of death and serious bodily injury. During these attacks, Melissa and Mark Hortman were shot and killed, and John and Yvette Hoffman suffered life-threatening injuries.

Today, during a change-of-plea hearing in U.S. District Court before Judge John R. Tunheim, Boelter admitted to the conduct described in the indictment and pleaded guilty to all counts, which include two stalkings, two murders through use of a firearm, and two federal firearm-shooting offenses. The plea agreement provides that Boelter is subject to the longest possible prison term allowable under law for his offenses.

This case is a result of a joint state and federal criminal investigation involving agencies across the entire state of Minnesota, including FBI, Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, ATF, Brooklyn Park Police Department, Minneapolis Police Department, Hennepin County Sherriff's Office, Champlin Police Department, and New Hope Police Department, together with several other state and local partners.

"Political violence is a scourge in our nation," said United States Attorney Daniel N. Rosen. "We now expect Vance Boelter will spend the rest of his natural life in prison without parole. To all of those who would commit political violence: this Justice Department will seek and obtain the longest prison terms for your offense."

"Political violence is a nemesis of our democracy," said FBI Minneapolis Field Office Special Agent in Charge Christopher D. Dotson. "On June 14, 2025, Vance Boelter thought he was above the law, above the Constitution, and that his personal views justified a violent crime spree unlike any other seen in Minnesota. For nearly 43 hours after his despicable crimes began, the FBI, BCA, and law enforcement partners from all over the state worked non-stop to track him down and end his campaign of political violence. I am extremely proud of the immediate, cooperative, and comprehensive response of law enforcement from all over Minnesota to quickly track down a ruthless killer. Our hearts are with the victims and their surviving families, the Hortmans, Hoffmans, and all of those other elected officials who were on Boelter's list."

"Across the Twin Cities, families woke on June 14, 2025, to a fear they should never have had to imagine, that their public servants had been hunted and attacked in their own homes," said ATF St. Paul Field Division Special Agent in Charge Joe Persails. "Melissa and Mark Hortman were killed, and John and Yvette Hoffman were left to recover from grievous injuries. The terror Vance Boelter set out to create reached far beyond the people he targeted and shook our entire Minnesota community. ATF joined the urgent, around-the-clock effort to locate Boelter and to develop the investigative leads that helped bring him into custody. Today's guilty plea cannot return what was taken from these families, but it makes clear that anyone who chooses to bring this kind of violence to our communities will answer for that choice."

"The change in plea by Vance Boelter represents an important step toward accountability for the devastating acts that shook our community," said Interim Chief Bill Peterson of the Minneapolis Police Department. "While this outcome again reflects the unwavering partnership among local, county, state, and federal law enforcement agencies, prosecutors, and the many others who've worked tirelessly on this case, no legal proceeding could undo the pain suffered by the Horton and Hoffman families. This plea brings us closer to justice, but we remain committed to honoring the victims, protecting our community, and ensuring that accountability is achieved through the rule of law."

"Mr. Boelter carried out a heinous and unprecedented act of political violence against Minnesota's political leaders. Violence targeting public officials is an affront to our democracy. We are grateful for all the agencies that worked in partnership to bring Mr. Boelter into custody and prepare a case that forced the guilty plea accepted in court today," said Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans. "To the Hortman and Hoffman families, Minnesota continues to mourn the loss and the suffering you have endured. We hope today's guilty plea brings you some measure of solace."

"A guilty plea brings a legal resolution, but our focus today remains on the memory of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and the ongoing recovery of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. No courtroom outcome can undo the devastation of that morning, but we hope this accountability offers a step toward closure. We continue to hold both families in our thoughts, offering our deepest respect and unwavering support as they heal." Said Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley.

"As City of Champlin Police Chief, I acknowledge the profound impact the attempted assassination of Senator John Hoffman and his wife, along with the tragic loss of Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, has had on their families and our entire community. These acts of violence have deeply shaken Champlin and our surrounding communities, reinforcing both our shared sense of vulnerability and our resolve to stand united in support of all those affected. Our thoughts remain with the Hoffman family as they recover, and we mourn alongside those grieving the devastating loss of Representative Hortman and her husband. Champlin and the broader community will continue to come together with strength and compassion, ensuring that such acts do not define us but instead strengthen our commitment to one another. Today's guilty plea represents a significant step towards recovery for the affected families, and we are grateful for all the work that has been put into this case by the law enforcement community."

Assistant U.S. Attorneys Bradley M. Endicott and Matthew D. Forbes are prosecuting the case.