Fact Check: "A gunman posing as a police officer killed a senior Democratic state assemblywoman and her husband in Minnesota on June 12, 2025."
What We Know
On June 12, 2025, a tragic incident occurred in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, where Democratic state assemblywoman Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed by a gunman posing as a police officer. This event was part of a targeted attack that also left another lawmaker, Democratic state senator John Hoffman, and his wife wounded at their home in Champlin, Minnesota, approximately nine miles away (NPR, AP News).
Authorities have identified the suspect as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, who is currently at large. The FBI has offered a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to his arrest (Reuters, NPR). The shootings have been described by Minnesota Governor Tim Walz as "politically motivated assassinations," highlighting the increasing violence against political figures in the current climate of political division (AP News, KSL).
Analysis
The claim that a gunman posing as a police officer killed a senior Democratic state assemblywoman and her husband is corroborated by multiple credible news sources. Reports confirm that the assailant, impersonating law enforcement, entered the Hortman residence and opened fire, resulting in the deaths of both Melissa and Mark Hortman (AP News, Sky News).
The reliability of the sources reporting this incident is high. Major news outlets such as NPR, AP News, and Reuters have extensive journalistic standards and protocols for verifying information, especially in breaking news situations. The details provided are consistent across these sources, indicating a coordinated and targeted attack against political figures, which adds to the credibility of the reports (NPR, Reuters, AP News).
Furthermore, the context of the shootings—occurring during a time of heightened political tension and division—supports the assertion that these acts were politically motivated. The presence of flyers related to a protest movement found in the suspect's vehicle further suggests a premeditated attack against specific lawmakers (AP News, KSL).
Conclusion
The claim that a gunman posing as a police officer killed a senior Democratic state assemblywoman and her husband in Minnesota on June 12, 2025, is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms the details of the incident, including the identity of the victims, the nature of the attack, and the ongoing investigation into the suspect.
Sources
- Suspect named in targeted shootings of Minnesota ...
- Minnesota lawmaker, spouse dead after targeted shooting | AP News
- Minnesota police, FBI hunt suspect in deadly shooting of ...
- Gunman dressed as police officer kills prominent ...
- Minnesota police, FBI hunt suspect in deadly shooting of Democratic ...
- Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz: Two lawmakers shot, one killed, in politically ...
- Vance Luther Boelter suspect in Melissa Hortman killing
- Minnesota's Democratic state politician Melissa Hortman and husband ...
