Vance Boelter trial: Short staffing at US Attorney's Office concerns judge

Vance Boelter due in court Friday in MN lawmaker shootings

Vance Boelter, who is facing multiple charges in the shootings of Hortman and Hoffman, is set to appear in U.S. District Court on Friday. He has pleaded not guilty. 

MINNEAPOLIS (FOX 9) - Vance Boelter, who is accused of fatally shooting Rep. Melissa Hortman and wounding Sen. John Hoffman, appeared in court Friday morning for the first time since November. 

Vance Boelter in court

What we know:

Boelter was in court for a status hearing. The judge expressed concerns about the "losses of staffing" at the U.S. Attorney's Office in regard to Boelter's trial. 

Prosecutors said they do not expect any delays because of staffing issues. 

Recently, several federal prosecutors have resigned from the Minnesota U.S. Attorney's Office over mounting frustrations with immigration enforcement policies and workload, and being told to investigate the widow of the woman who was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent. 

READ MORE: More prosecutors leaving MN US Attorney's Office over frustrations: Report

Boelter's lawyers are continuing to review evidence, and the judge asked prosecutors when they plan to decide whether to seek the death penalty. 

Prosecutors said they haven't decided, and the "process is ongoing." 

Yvette Hoffman's response

What they're saying:

Yvette Hoffman, who was shot by the suspect, released a statement following Friday's hearing:

"Today I looked into the face of the man who tried to destroy my family. It was one of the hardest moments of my life.

"I carried with me the loss of Melissa and Mark Hortman, and Gilbert — lives taken in senseless violence. Their absence is with us always.

"But we are still here. We will not be defined by hate. We will honor them by choosing strength, justice, and hope."

Charges against Boelter

The backstory:

Boelter faces multiple charges in the shootings of the Hortmans and Hoffmans. 

Investigators say Boelter disguised himself as a police officer and was armed with several weapons when Hortman was killed at her Brooklyn Park home, and Hoffman was shot nine times at his Champlin home.

After about a 40-hour manhunt, Boelter was arrested near his Green Isle home.

Boelter was indicted by a grand jury in July 2025, and faces the death penalty if convicted.

Boelter has pleaded not guilty.