Boelter Sentenced to Two Consecutive Life Prison Terms

Vance Boelter was arrested near his farm in Green Isle, Minnesota. (Ramsey County Sheriff’s Office)

Minneapolis, MN – U.S. District Judge John Tunheim sentenced Vance Boelter to two consecutive life prison terms, followed by an additional 40 years behind bars for the politically motivated June 2025 attacks that killed former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and seriously wounded State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette.

Tunheim said it is the longest sentence he has imposed during his time on the federal bench. Before the sentence was announced, Boelter apologized to the victims and their families, telling the court he was “truly sorry” for the loss, pain, heartache and suffering he caused. As he spoke, many supporters of the victims stood up and walked out of the courtroom.

Melissa and Mark Hortman’s daughter, Sophie, shared an emotional account of losing not only her parents, but also the family’s golden retriever, Gilbert, who was critically wounded in the attack and later euthanized. She recalled seeing him wrapped in a blanket at the veterinary clinic, still trying to lick her and her brother despite his injuries. Fighting back tears, Sophie said, “I miss my mom. I miss my dad. I miss believing in the goodness of humanity.”

State Senator John Hoffman told the court Vance Boelter looked him in the eyes before pulling the trigger, leaving him with nine bullet wounds and his wife, Yvette, with eight. Quoting Matthew 7:16, Hoffman said Boelter would be known by the “fruits” of his actions: “violence, murder and attempted murder,” and urged a sentence showing “violence will never triumph over justice.”