A federal judge has set a sentencing date for Vance Boelter, who faces charges related to the assassination of Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband last summer. The sentencing is scheduled for July 23, over one year after the alleged shooting incident. U.S. District Judge John Tunheim will oversee the proceedings at the federal courthouse in Minneapolis.
Boelter is expected to receive two consecutive life sentences followed by 40 years in prison as part of a plea deal that was approved by Judge Tunheim. He pleaded guilty earlier this month after federal prosecutors decided not to pursue the death penalty. Boelter had been indicted on six federal charges, including stalking and murder through the use of a firearm.
In his guilty plea, Boelter admitted to killing the Hortmans and wounding Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, while also attempting to shoot their daughter on June 14, 2025. The Hoffmans were hospitalized for approximately six weeks due to serious injuries but survived the attack. Following the plea, the Hoffman family expressed that there is no justice for their situation.
The Hoffmans are pursuing a civil lawsuit against Boelter for assault, battery, and intentional infliction of emotional distress, stating that their daughter suspended her education due to the emotional trauma from the incident. Boelter was apprehended after a 43-hour manhunt following the shootings.
In addition to federal charges, Boelter faces multiple state charges, including two counts of first-degree premeditated murder and four counts of attempted first-degree murder. If convicted of any first-degree murder charges, he could face life in prison without the possibility of parole, and the state case will proceed despite his federal guilty plea.