Man who killed Minnesota lawmaker sentenced to life as her family describes trauma, loss

By — Ellen Schmidt, Associated Press Ellen Schmidt, Associated Press By — Claudia Lauer, Associated Press Claudia Lauer, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/man-who-killed-minnesota-lawmaker-sentenced-to-life-as-her-family-describes-trauma-loss Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Man who killed Minnesota lawmaker sentenced to life as her family describes trauma, loss Nation Jul 23, 2026 3:52 PM EDT MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — 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. Fellow lawmakers and survivors of the shooting 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 and his wife Yvette. READ MORE: Feds won't seek death penalty in plea deal with man accused of killing Minnesota lawmaker Boelter, 59, agreed to plead guilty in June, almost a year after the Minneapolis-area attacks, so federal prosecutors would not seek the death penalty. Mark Hortman's father and siblings voiced anger that he could not be sentenced to death. U.S. District Judge John R. Tunheim said it was "the longest sentence I have imposed after hearing thousands of cases over the years, but I do believe it is deserved." Victims and survivors describe the impact of the attacks 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't 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. "The defendant looked me in the eyes and pulled the trigger. The defendant looked at my wife and chose to do the same," Hoffman said. "My wife and I now live with injuries. We live with our bodies remembering the gunfire." Yvette Hoffman said she has been too traumatized to work since the attack in their home, and that she sees a therapist weekly. "I will never forget looking down and watching my blood slowly stream down that white washing machine as I felt myself sinking to the floor," she said, barely holding back tears. "We always have an escape plan now. This isn't how people should live." 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 in state history. Democratic State Rep. Kristin Bahner was one of two other legislators whose homes Boelter visited that night, but she a