{"id":954997,"date":"2026-07-23T23:19:21","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T23:19:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/954997\/"},"modified":"2026-07-23T23:19:21","modified_gmt":"2026-07-23T23:19:21","slug":"vance-boelter-is-sentenced-to-life-for-killing-minnesota-democratic-leader-melissa-hortman","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/954997\/","title":{"rendered":"Vance Boelter is sentenced to life for killing Minnesota Democratic leader Melissa Hortman"},"content":{"rendered":"

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) \u2014 Friends and family of Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman said the man sentenced Thursday to two life terms plus 40 years after pleading guilty to her murder failed to eliminate her legacy but caused enduring fear and fury as he changed their lives forever.<\/p>\n

Fellow lawmakers and survivors of the shooting<\/a> spoke Thursday at the sentencing hearing for Vance Boelter, the man who pleaded guilty last month to federal charges related to the killing of former House Speaker Hortman and her husband, Mark, as well as critically wounding state Sen. John Hoffman<\/a> and his wife, Yvette. <\/p>\n

The defendant looked me in the eyes and pulled the trigger. The defendant looked at my wife and chose to do the same.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Sen. John Hoffman<\/p>\n

Boelter, 59, agreed to plead guilty<\/a> in June, almost a year after the Minneapolis-area attacks, so federal prosecutors would not seek the death penalty<\/a>. Mark Hortman\u2019s father and siblings voiced anger that he could not be sentenced to death. <\/p>\n

U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim said it was \u201cthe longest sentence I have imposed after hearing thousands of cases over the years, but I do believe it is deserved.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Members<\/p>\n

Members of the Hortman family come down the escalator into the lobby of the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse before a sentencing hearing for Vance Boelter in Minneapolis, on Thursday, July 23, 2026. (Alex Kormann\/Minnesota Star Tribune via AP)<\/p>\n

Members of the Hortman family come down the escalator into the lobby of the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse before a sentencing hearing for Vance Boelter in Minneapolis, on Thursday, July 23, 2026. (Alex Kormann\/Minnesota Star Tribune via AP)<\/p>\n

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Victims and survivors describe the impact of the attacks<\/p>\n

In court Thursday, Sen. Hoffman said he and his family are constantly reminded of the extraordinary violence of that night, even in the mundane details of day-to-day life. He said they don\u2019t receive mail at home anymore, they have installed solid steel doors for protection, and they have changed how they do everyday tasks because of their injuries.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"A<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/p>\n

\u201cThe defendant looked me in the eyes and pulled the trigger. The defendant looked at my wife and chose to do the same,\u201d Hoffman said. \u201cMy wife and I now live with injuries. We live with our bodies remembering the gunfire.\u201d<\/p>\n

Yvette Hoffman said she has been too traumatized to work since the attack in their home, and that she sees a therapist weekly.<\/p>\n

\u201cI will never forget looking down and watching my blood slowly stream down that white washing machine as I felt myself sinking to the floor,\u201d she said, barely holding back tears. \u201cWe always have an escape plan now. This isn\u2019t how people should live.\u201d<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Bullet<\/p>\n

Bullet holes mark the front door of the house of Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife who were shot earlier in the day on June 14, 2025, in Champlin, Minn. (AP Photo\/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)<\/p>\n

Bullet holes mark the front door of the house of Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife who were shot earlier in the day on June 14, 2025, in Champlin, Minn. (AP Photo\/Bruce Kluckhohn, File)<\/p>\n

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Boelter admitted in court last month that he spent months identifying and stalking his targets before driving to their homes disguised as a police officer with the intention of killing them. The killings sparked the largest police search<\/a> in state history.<\/p>\n

My days are filled with gray, and the blood that was spilled is the last thing I see before I go to sleep and the first thing I see when I wake.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Colin Hortman<\/p>\n

Democratic State Rep. Kristin Bahner was one of two other legislators whose homes Boelter visited that night, but she and her family were on vacation. Bahner said the shootings had left her shaken.<\/p>\n

\u201cI could not fathom why I was spared and (Hortman) was not,\u201d she said. \u201cYou failed because I carry her with me. In my mind and in my heart, she guides me.\u201d<\/p>\n

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The proposed sentence sparks fury<\/p>\n

Mark Hortman\u2019s parents and siblings spoke of their anger Thursday, both at the man who killed him and the justice system. <\/p>\n

\u201cIt will not offer me peace of mind that he will have room and board provided for the rest of his life, paid for by my tax dollars,\u201d said Lisa Hortman Bean, Mark\u2019s sister.<\/p>\n

Melissa Hortman\u2019s mother and father and the Hortman\u2019s children changed the tone of the statements when they spoke, remembering them as attentive, loving parents and grandparents and people who had a positive impact on thousands of lives.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Pictures<\/p>\n

Pictures of Mark and Melissa Hortman are set up inside the sanctuary at the Basilica of St. Mary\u2019s during funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman in Minneapolis, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Alex Kormann\/Star Tribune via AP, Pool, File)<\/p>\n

Pictures of Mark and Melissa Hortman are set up inside the sanctuary at the Basilica of St. Mary\u2019s during funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman in Minneapolis, Saturday, June 28, 2025. (Alex Kormann\/Star Tribune via AP, Pool, File)<\/p>\n

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Sophie Hortman, their daughter, described in vivid detail having to say goodbye to Gilbert, the golden retriever,<\/a> also shot by Boelter but who was still alive when they arrived at the veterinary hospital. She talked about the bedtime routine her mother had with Gilbert, who failed his service dog test because he was too friendly, and the care and love she gave him.<\/p>\n

\u201cI miss my mom. I miss my dad. I miss my best friends. And I miss believing in the goodness of humanity. I hope that one day these aches feel less sharp. And I know just like the love I feel for my parents, the pain will never go away,\u201d she said through tears.<\/p>\n

Colin Hortman talked about his parents not being at his recent wedding, about not dancing with his mother who he had hoped would make his wedding cake. He described the horror of the house and the panic attacks and crying that have persisted in the year since they were killed.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy days are filled with gray, and the blood that was spilled is the last thing I see before I go to sleep and the first thing I see when I wake,\u201d he said. \u201cThere is no sentence that weighs 15 gunshots, a murdered dog and the rest of my life.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIt is impossible to realize the damage that has been done not only to our family, but to our society,\u201d said Melissa\u2019s father Harold Haluptzok, who repeatedly referred to her as his \u201clittle girl.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI wish the perpetrator would have sat down and talked to Melissa about his political positions. … if only he did that before he decided to kill them,\u201d Haluptzok added.<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

\"Colin<\/p>\n

Colin Hortman (left), son of Mark and Melissa Hortman, walks into the lobby of the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse before a sentencing hearing for Vance Boelter in Minneapolis, on Thursday, July 23, 2026. (Alex Kormann\/Minnesota Star Tribune via AP)<\/p>\n

Colin Hortman (left), son of Mark and Melissa Hortman, walks into the lobby of the Diana E. Murphy United States Courthouse before a sentencing hearing for Vance Boelter in Minneapolis, on Thursday, July 23, 2026. (Alex Kormann\/Minnesota Star Tribune via AP)<\/p>\n

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Defense attorney says Boelter has remorse<\/p>\n

Federal defender Manny Atwal spoke only briefly after the victim impact statements Thursday, saying Boelter showed remorse for his actions by pleading guilty and accepting the life sentences. <\/p>\n

Boelter remained silent and sat extremely still for most of the hearing, showing little emotion or reaction to the anguish expressed by the survivors and family members.<\/p>\n

\u201cTo every person I have caused loss, pain, heartache, confusion, sadness, shame or loneliness, I am truly sorry,\u201d Boelter said. <\/p>\n

Boelter pretended to be a police officer to gain access<\/p>\n

Boelter went to Hortman\u2019s home, wearing a tactical uniform and mask, about 3:30 a.m. on June 14, 2025.<\/a> He rang the doorbell while shouting he was a police officer doing a welfare check, according to court documents. <\/p>\n

Mark Hortman answered the door. Boelter gave him a fake name and badge number before requesting he summon Melissa Hortman to the door as well. He shot Mark Hortman multiple times before pushing into the house and shooting the lawmaker as she fled upstairs. Melissa and Mark Hortman were killed. <\/p>\n

Boelter had already visited the Hoffmans\u2019 home that night, shooting and critically injuring the senator and his wife, according to police and court documents. Court documents said Boelter also went to Bahner\u2019s house that night as well as the home of another lawmaker.<\/a><\/p>\n

Boelter also faces state charges, including two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder, impersonating a police officer and animal cruelty. Hoffman and his family filed a personal injury lawsuit against Boelter in April. <\/p>\n

Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement Thursday that Boelter\u2019s state prosecution would move forward immediately noting a first appearance is scheduled for Aug. 3. <\/p>\n

\u201cThe targeted political violence he committed was horrific,\u201d Moriarty wrote. \u201cMy thoughts are with Melissa and Mark\u2019s family, as well as John, Yvette, and Hope, as the state prosecution moves forward.\u201d<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

This story has been corrected to show Boelter apologized for causing loss, pain, heartache, confusion, sadness, shame or loneliness, not for causing emotions.<\/p>\n

___<\/p>\n

Lauer reported from Philadelphia.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"MINNEAPOLIS (AP) \u2014 Friends and family of Minnesota Democratic lawmaker Melissa Hortman said the man sentenced Thursday to…\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":954998,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":"","_share_on_mastodon":"0"},"categories":[4,3],"tags":[24144,3881,15331,384180,356,4219,10407,57,384181,4221,4228,100,384185,384183,362,384179,384182,185979,242309,18598,3663,18597,3669,1571,50,3674,3677,384184,61,67,132,68,102,8572,37693],"class_list":["post-954997","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","category-united-states","category-us","tag-animal-cruelty","tag-ap-top-news","tag-capital-punishment","tag-colin-hortman","tag-courts","tag-crime","tag-criminal-punishment","tag-general-news","tag-harold-haluptzok","tag-homicide","tag-indictments","tag-john-hoffman","tag-john-r-tunheim","tag-kristin-bahner","tag-legal-proceedings","tag-lisa-hortman-bean","tag-manny-atwal","tag-mark-hortman","tag-mary-moriarty","tag-melissa-hortman","tag-minnesota","tag-minnesota-state-government","tag-mn-state-wire","tag-national","tag-news","tag-political-violence","tag-shootings","tag-sophie-hortman","tag-u-s-news","tag-united-states","tag-unitedstates","tag-us","tag-vance-boelter","tag-violence","tag-yvette-hoffman"],"share_on_mastodon":{"url":"","error":"Validation failed: Text character limit of 500 exceeded"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/954997","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=954997"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/954997\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/954998"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=954997"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=954997"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=954997"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}