Vance Boelter pressed a gun to the head of Minnesota Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and fired. He did the same to her husband, Mark. On Thursday, he pleaded guilty to both murders in a courtroom where sobs could be heard from the Hortman family.
According to a report by Al Jazeera, Boelter, 58, entered his plea in exchange for an agreement with federal prosecutors not to seek the death penalty. He agreed to a maximum sentence of two consecutive life terms plus 40 years. The state has said that agreement will not apply to its own case.
Boelter carried out the attack while wearing a tactical uniform and driving a police-style SUV with flashing lights. He knocked on the door of the Hortmans' home while impersonating a police officer. That night, he went to the homes of several other state legislators. At one home, he knocked but got no answer. At another, he was scared off when a police officer approached him, believing he was a fellow officer.
Law enforcement later found a list in his vehicle with the names of 45 other state officials and legislators.
Boelter also targeted Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Both were injured in the attack. Hoffman and his wife were present in the courtroom Thursday, seated next to family members of the Hortmans.
When his lawyer asked whether he had pressed a gun to Melissa Hortman's head and fired, Boelter answered yes. He gave similarly brief responses to several other questions about his actions.
The attacks set off the largest police search in Minnesota state history. Boelter was apprehended near his home in Green Isle, about an hour by car from Minneapolis, the day after the shootings.
"Political violence is a scourge plaguing America," US Attorney Daniel N Rosen told reporters. "Those that would commit political violence at any level should take heed: The Justice Department will seek and obtain the longest prison terms available for your crimes."
The case drew national attention and added to growing concerns about political violence targeting prominent elected officials across the United States.
