Man accused of killing Minnesota lawmaker and husband pleads guilty

A 58-year-old Minnesota man named Vance Boelter has pleaded guilty to fatally shooting Democratic state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark at their home, as well as shooting and injuring another state legislator, John Hoffman, and his wife. The plea agreement means Boelter will avoid the death penalty and instead face life imprisonment, with prosecutors seeking two consecutive life sentences plus 40 years. These targeted attacks on elected officials are part of a broader pattern of escalating political violence affecting lawmakers and political figures across the United States.