Vance Boelter sentenced for shootings of Minnesota lawmakers and spouses

Vance Luther Boelter, 58, has been sentenced to life in prison for shooting Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband dead, and for opening fire on fellow legislator John Hoffman and his wife in a separate attack. The politically motivated shootings, which targeted elected officials in their own homes, shocked Minnesota and prompted a major manhunt before Boelter's capture in Sibley County. He had earlier pleaded guilty to the killings and attacks, and the sentencing brings a formal end to the case.

Boelter was handed two consecutive life sentences plus a further 40 years in prison, handed down on Thursday. Hortman, a prominent state legislator, and her husband were killed, while Hoffman, another lawmaker, and his wife survived being shot. Boelter was found and arrested on a property in Sibley County following an extensive search by authorities.