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Vance Boelter, accused of fatally shooting Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog, is set to enter a guilty plea in federal court on Thursday after reaching a plea agreement with prosecutors.
The Justice Department informed federal judges John Tunheim and Dulce Foster on Wednesday about the proposed deal and requested a hearing to allow Boelter to change his plea from not guilty. Judge Tunheim scheduled the hearing for 10 a.m.
CDT Thursday. According to the department’s letter, prosecutors will not seek the death penalty in this case.
Details of the plea agreement have not been made public. Boelter faces multiple federal charges, including murder, attempted murder, stalking, and firearms offenses.
He is also accused of shooting State Senator John A. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, both Democrats, during incidents in June 2025, allegedly while disguised as a police officer.
Boelter was apprehended following a two-day manhunt.
Emily Covington, spokesperson for the Justice Department, emphasized that prosecutors worked diligently to ensure Boelter would be held fully accountable. The decision to forgo the death penalty reportedly stems from questions about whether stalking qualifies as a violent crime under federal law-a key factor in capital punishment eligibility.
While Minnesota does not have a death penalty, the federal government retains that option. The state of Minnesota is also pursuing its own prosecution against Boelter. The upcoming plea hearing marks a significant development in a case that has deeply affected the Minnesota community.