A man from Minnesota, who admitted to the murder of a well-known Democratic lawmaker and her husband, is set to receive his sentence in federal court this Thursday.
Vance Boulter, at 59 years old, entered a guilty plea in June—almost a year after the brutal attack in the Minneapolis area. He stalked and killed House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and left state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, severely injured.
To avoid a potential death penalty, Boulter pleaded guilty to six charges. In return, he accepted a sentence of two consecutive life terms plus an additional 40 years.
Boulter is facing the maximum sentence that falls short of the death penalty, as noted by both prosecutors and defense lawyers.
In court, he confessed that he spent months tracking his targets, even going so far as to impersonate a police officer while arriving at their homes late at night with the intent to kill.
This violent act led to the largest police raid in the history of Minnesota, creating widespread panic and heightening concerns about security. Political figures began receiving increased threats, which many feared could escalate into further violent encounters.
A memorandum that was presented in federal court late last June has been sealed since early Thursday, along with any objections noted regarding it. However, both sides, prosecutors and Boulter’s legal team, submitted a letter outlining their views on the upcoming sentencing.
“Vance Boulter launched an attack on democracy,” prosecutors remarked in their correspondence. “He disrupted the lives of his victims. He instilled fear among the public servants of Minnesota. He even threatened law enforcement, aiming a gun at them. His actions violently undermined the institutions representative of Minnesota’s government.”
On June 14, 2025, around 3:30 a.m., Boulter showed up at the Hortman home clad in tactical gear and a mask.
According to court records, he rang the doorbell shouting that he was a police officer doing a welfare check.
Mark Hortman opened the door.
Boulter provided a false name and badge number, insisting that Melissa Hortman also come to the door.
He shot Mark multiple times, forcing his way inside, where he fatally shot the fleeing deputy upstairs. Both Melissa and Mark were killed.
It was reported that Boulter had previously visited the homes of the Hoffmans that same night, where he shot and gravely injured the senator and his spouse.
Furthermore, Boulter attempted to visit two other deputies that night; in one case, no one was home, and in the other, he fled when he saw a police officer approaching, fearing it was another cop.
State charges against Boulter include two counts of murder, four counts of attempted murder, impersonating a police officer, and animal cruelty.
A temporary memorial for Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was murdered alongside her husband by Vance Boulter, can be found at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul.
Sadly, their golden retriever was also severely injured in the attack and had to be euthanized. In April, Mr. Hoffman, along with his family, filed a personal injury lawsuit against Boulter.
In the proposed sentencing recommendation, Boulter’s attorneys requested that he be sent to a federal prison in Florida. They also asked for him to be allowed to work for restitution and to participate in therapy and other programs.
Having decades of experience in the food service industry and other fields, Boulter’s defenders noted that he has skills that might make him a suitable candidate for various programs in prison.
“Mr. Boulter realizes that he will likely spend the rest of his life behind bars, but his diverse work background could open doors for programming, employment, and other opportunities with the Bureau of Prisons,” stated Manny Atwal, a federal defender.
