Gunman faces prison sentence for shooting Minnesota lawmakers

Gunman faces prison sentence for shooting Minnesota lawmakersSign up now: Get ST's newsletters delivered to your inboxVance Boelter pleaded guilty to two counts of murder, stalking and firearm offenses in June. PHOTOS: REUTERSErnesto LondoñoPublished Jul 24, 2026, 02:18 AMUpdated Jul 24, 2026, 02:18 AMSet as preferred sourceSummariseVance Boelter pleaded guilty to murdering Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounding another lawmaker and his wife, with prosecutors seeking life sentences.Boelter targeted Democratic lawmakers in a politically motivated attack, disguised as a police officer, causing terror and a large manhunt in Minnesota.

Despite implausible claims about his motives, prosecutors say the attack aimed to shift power in the state legislature, with Boelter showing remorse through his plea deal.AI generatedMINNEAPOLIS – More than a year after a man killed a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband and shot another lawmaker and the legislator’s wife, he was expected to be sentenced to life in prison on July 23.The attacks, described by prosecutors as targeted political assassinations, set off an urgent manhunt across the state and left Minnesotans in terror.

The attacker went to the homes of Democratic lawmakers in the middle of the night, disguised as a law enforcement officer.See more onShooting - gun crimeUnited StatesMurder/Manslaughter