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Vance Boelter admitted in federal court Thursday to the targeted shootings of two DFL state lawmakers at their homes nearly one year ago, an admission that spares the assassin from a possible death penalty sentence.Boelter’s plea in U.S.District Court at the Minneapolis courthouse came after negotiations with federal prosecutors, who in exchange agreed not to pursue the death penalty against him in the June 14 shootings that killed state Rep.Melissa Hortman and husband, Mark, at their Brooklyn Park home, and that wounded state Sen.John Hoffman and wife, Yvette, at their home in Champlin about an hour and a half earlier.Boelter, 58, pleaded guilty to all six federal charges against him: two counts each of stalking, murder and discharge of a firearm during a crime of violence.As part of the plea agreement, Boelter agreed to two consecutive life terms in prison.A sentencing date was not scheduled, but Judge John Tunheim said the plan is for it to be held next month.Boelter, wearing an orange jail jumpsuit, entered his plea before Tunheim in a full courtroom that included John and Yvette Hoffman, along with the Hortmans’ two adult children, Colin and Sophie.“How are you doing today?” the judge asked Boelter.“I’m OK,” he replied.Disguised as a law enforcement officer Boelter admitted during Thursday’s hearing to several new details that previously were not released, including that he murdered Melissa Hortman by pressing a 9mm handgun to her head and firing as she tried to flee upstairs.That admission led to gasps and whimpering by several courtroom observers.Under further questioning by his attorney, Boelter admitted that he planned the targeted shootings months ahead of time through online research.He compiled information in a paper notebook, such as names of spouses, the number of children, home addresses and surveillance vantage points.He bought a GPS device and entered the home addresses of Melissa Hortman, John Hoffman and other elected officials.Boelter confirmed that he drove to the homes of four lawmakers in the morning hours of June 14 in a black Ford Explorer SUV designed to look like a law enforcement vehicle, and that he carried out the shootings of the Hoffmans and Hortmans while wearing a silicone mask and dressed as a law enforcement officer.Just before 2 a.m., he pounded on the Hoffmans’ front door, identified himself multiple times as police and shouted, “This is the police, open the door.” When the senator answered the door with his wife and daughter, Boelter said that a shooting had been reported and asked if they had any guns.He then told them they were being robbed.“Did you order the family to put their hands up?” his attorney, Manny Atwal, asked.“Yes,” he replied.The Hoffmans tried to close the door on Boelter, but he drew a 9mm and repeatedly fired at them both.Hoffman was shot nine times, while his wife was shot eight times.Their adult daughter, Hope, narrowly missed being struck by the gunfire.According to the criminal complaint, local police became aware of the shootings just after 2 a.m., when Hope Hoffman called 911, and law enforcement started responding to north Hennepin County legislators’ homes.Boelter had a list of addresses for Democratic elected officials and abortion providers in his SUV, and admitted in court to visiting the homes of two other lawmakers after the shooting.Authorities have identified them as Sen.Ann Rest, DFL-New Hope, and Rep.Kristin Bahner, DFL-Maple Grove.Bahner was not home at the time, and Boelter left Rest’s street after a police officer arrived.Boelter admitted that he arrived at the Hortman home about 3:30 a.m., and parked in the driveway with police-style emergency lights flashing.Under further questioning by his attorney, Boelter confirmed that he rang the doorbell and shouted, “Police, welfare check.” When Mark Hortman answered the door, Boelter shined a flashlight into his eyes and said there had been shots fired.Hortman said he had been asleep and didn’t know anything about a shooting.Boelter asked who else was home and Hortman said his wife was also there.Boelter said, “I need to see her before I go.” Hortman called for Melissa, then asked Boelter to give his name, badge number and the law enforcement agency that he was with.Boelter admitted that he hesitated and said, “Uh, Maple Grove.” He then immediately drew a 9mm handgun and shot Mark Hortman multiple times.He rushed into the home and repeatedly shot Melissa Hortman.Boelter fired the shots moments after Brooklyn Park officers arrived at the home to check on the lawmaker.Boelter ran from the home, and eluded capture.A two-day manhunt was coordinated among federal, state and local law enforcement agencies across Minnesota, in what prosecutors have called the largest search for a suspect in the state’s history.About 9:15 p.m.June 15, law enforcement located Boelter in a field in Green Isle, approximately one mile from his family residence, and he was taken into custody.Rosen: Plea too good to pass up At a news conference after the plea hearing, U.S.Attorney for Minnesota Daniel Rosen called the shootings “among the worst political violence crimes that we have seen.” Rosen said that he and acting U.S.Attorney General Todd Blanche saw the decision to take the death penalty off the table in exchange for a guilty plea “the exact same way.” “And that was the only circumstance under which the death penalty was off the table,” Rosen said.“But the truth is, when you have a defendant that is prepared to plead guilty, take consecutive life terms to ensure that he never sees freedom again in his entire life, that was an opportunity that we just could not pass up.” For a federal death penalty case, prosecutors would have had to show Boelter committed the killings during another “crime of violence.” His underlying charge was stalking the victims.Earlier this year, a federal judge in New York said prosecutors could not seek the death penalty against Luigi Mangione in the homicide of UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson, ruling that stalking did not count as a violent crime.Boelter still faces charges in Hennepin County District Court, including first-degree premeditated murder, which carries life in prison without the possibility of parole.That case has been on hold pending the resolution of his federal charges.Boelter will sit in a Hennepin County courtroom and be held accountable for his actions,” County Attorney Mary Moriarty said in a statement following his plea.“We are in contact with the U.S.Attorney’s Office about transferring Mr.Boelter into our custody.This was a devastating wave of targeted political violence that shocked our state and the nation.My thoughts are with the Hoffmans, and with Mark and Melissa’s family and loved ones as the federal phase ends and we approach state prosecution.”