Minnesota Today
Minnesota Today
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Vance Boelter to be sentenced in shootings of Minnesota lawmakers. Officials developing plans to reopen parts of the BWCA
5 minutes Posted Jul 23, 2026 at 11:11 am.
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A federal judge in Minneapolis will hand down the sentence for Vance Boelter, the man who pleaded guilty last month to fatally shooting former House speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and injuring Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette.


In court filings, prosecutors asked the judge to impose two life sentences, plus 40 years. They said Boelter caused, “astonishing damage to his victims and the state of Minnesota,” and said he should spend the rest of his life in prison.


Boundary Waters permit cancellations will remain in effect through Friday, but federal and state officials say they are developing a plan that could reopen some areas of the wilderness to visitors.


A memorial has been set up outside the St. Paul apartment leasing office where three people were killed there Monday. Apartment resident Tsegaab Binessu is charged with shooting that killed the three employees after a parking contract dispute.