Fact Check: "A manhunt is underway for a gunman who impersonated a police officer during the shooting incidents in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, Minnesota."
What We Know
On Saturday morning, two Minnesota lawmakers, Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman, were shot at their homes in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, respectively. Reports indicate that the shooter was impersonating a police officer. According to Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, Rep. Hortman and her spouse were killed, while Sen. Hoffman and his wife were hospitalized but are expected to survive after undergoing surgery (source-2). The Minnesota Department of Public Safety confirmed that the suspect was driving an SUV equipped with lights resembling a police vehicle and was dressed as an officer when he confronted law enforcement (source-1).
A shelter-in-place order was issued for the surrounding area as the suspect is considered armed and dangerous. The suspect is described as a white male with brown hair, wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants (source-4). The investigation is ongoing, with local law enforcement and Capitol Security increasing their presence around the homes of lawmakers (source-5).
Analysis
The claim that a manhunt is underway for a gunman who impersonated a police officer during the shooting incidents in Champlin and Brooklyn Park is supported by multiple credible sources. Reports from local news outlets such as FOX 9 and KBJR provide consistent details about the events, including the impersonation of law enforcement and the targeted nature of the attacks (source-1, source-2).
The Minnesota Department of Public Safety's involvement adds a layer of reliability to the information, as they are a government agency tasked with public safety and law enforcement. Additionally, the shelter-in-place order issued by the Brooklyn Park Police Department indicates the seriousness of the situation and the ongoing threat posed by the suspect (source-5).
While the situation is still developing, the evidence currently available supports the claim that a manhunt is indeed underway for a suspect who impersonated a police officer during these violent incidents.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that a manhunt is underway for a gunman who impersonated a police officer during the shooting incidents in Champlin and Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, is accurate. Multiple reliable sources confirm the details of the shootings, the impersonation of law enforcement, and the ongoing search for the suspect, who is considered armed and dangerous.
Sources
- Minnesota lawmaker shootings: Legislators targeted ...
- 2 Minnesota lawmakers were shot in their homes by man ...
- 2 Minnesota lawmakers shot in apparent 'targeted ...
- Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. John Hoffman shot in 'targeted ...
- Manhunt underway for man possibly posing as law ...
- Sources say two Minnesota lawmakers have been shot
- Homes of two Minnesota state lawmakers targeted in ...
- Search underway after man impersonating cop 'shot two ...
