Federal prosecutors drop death penalty in Minnesota shooting

The man accused of carrying out a politically motivated shooting spree that killed a former Minnesota House Speaker and her husband and wounded a state senator and his wife is expected to change his plea in federal court on Thursday. Federal prosecutors announced on Wednesday they will not seek the death penalty against Vance Boelter, 58, as part of a proposed plea agreement, clearing a major hurdle toward a resolution in the high-profile case.

Authorities allege Boelter posed as a police officer and arrived at the victims' homes in the early hours of June 14, 2025, driving what prosecutors described as a fake squad car. Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were fatally shot. State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, survived the attack with serious injuries. The Hortmans' golden retriever was critically wounded and later euthanized.

Boelter was arrested the following night near his home in rural Green Isle after what prosecutors have described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota history. He faces federal charges including murder, stalking, and firearms offenses, as well as separate state charges that have been paused while...