Fact Check: A hit list of Democratic politicians was found in the car of a gunman.

Fact Check: "A hit list of Democratic politicians was found in the car of a gunman."

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, Vance Boelter was arrested following a violent attack that resulted in the death of Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and left her husband critically injured, as well as injuring another Democratic state senator, John Hoffman, and his wife. Authorities reported that Boelter had a "hit list" containing the names of 45 elected officials, all of whom were Democrats, found in his vehicle (NPR, ABC News). This list included prominent figures such as U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (WION, PBS).

The police described Boelter's actions as a targeted attack against individuals who serve in public office, with the FBI and local authorities labeling it as politically motivated violence (NPR, ABC News).

Analysis

The claim that a hit list of Democratic politicians was found in the car of the gunman is supported by multiple credible sources. The NPR article details the discovery of the list and emphasizes the chilling nature of the crime, highlighting the political implications of such violence (NPR). Similarly, ABC News corroborates this information, noting that the list was found in a vehicle designed to resemble a police car, further indicating premeditation and intent (ABC News).

The New York Times also provides context about the suspect's background and previous affiliations, which could suggest motives behind the attacks, although the exact reasons remain unclear (New York Times).

While the sources are generally reliable, it is essential to note that media reports can sometimes carry biases depending on their editorial stance. However, the consistency across multiple reputable outlets, including NPR, ABC News, and the New York Times, lends credibility to the claim.

Conclusion

The claim that a hit list of Democratic politicians was found in the car of the gunman is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that Vance Boelter had a list of 45 Democratic officials in his vehicle, which was discovered following his violent attacks on lawmakers. This incident underscores the serious nature of political violence and its implications for democracy.