Vance Luther Boelter, 58, has been sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to killing a Minnesota lawmaker and her husband, and shooting another elected official and that official’s spouse. The case concerns a serious attack on public representatives and their families, resulting in one of the most severe penalties available.

A court sentenced Boelter on Thursday to two consecutive life terms, with an additional 40-year prison sentence. The article identifies the victims as Minnesota lawmakers Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, although the supplied text is incomplete and does not give further details of the offences or sentencing rationale.