Fact Check: Authorities are conducting a manhunt in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, for the gunman who shot Melissa Hortman and her husband, impersonating a police officer.
What We Know
On Saturday morning, two Minnesota lawmakers, Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman, along with their spouses, were shot in their homes by a gunman impersonating a police officer. Reports confirm that Rep. Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed, while Sen. Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were hospitalized after being shot multiple times but are expected to survive (FOX 9, KSTP).
The shootings occurred in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, prompting local authorities to issue a shelter-in-place order for residents in a three-mile radius around the Edinburgh Golf Course, warning them not to approach the suspect, who is described as armed and dangerous (FOX 9, KSTP). The suspect is identified as a white man with brown hair, wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants (KSTP, Live 5 News).
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz characterized the incident as a "politically motivated assassination" and confirmed that a manhunt is underway for the suspect (KSTP, Live 5 News). Authorities have also advised residents to verify the identity of any police officers at their doors by calling 911 (FOX 9, KARE 11).
Analysis
The claim that authorities are conducting a manhunt in Brooklyn Park for the gunman who shot Melissa Hortman and her husband is corroborated by multiple reliable news sources. The details surrounding the incident have been consistently reported, including the nature of the attack, the identities of the victims, and the ongoing manhunt for the suspect.
Governor Walz's statements provide a credible governmental perspective on the situation, emphasizing the targeted nature of the violence against elected officials (KSTP). The description of the suspect and the shelter-in-place order issued by local police further validate the urgency and seriousness of the situation (FOX 9, KARE 11).
While the sources reporting on this incident are generally reputable, it is essential to note that the situation is still developing, and details may change as more information becomes available. However, the consistency of the reports from various outlets, including local news and national coverage, lends credibility to the ongoing manhunt claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that authorities are conducting a manhunt in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, for the gunman who shot Melissa Hortman and her husband, impersonating a police officer, is accurate. Multiple reliable sources confirm the details of the incident, the identities of the victims, and the active search for the suspect.
Sources
- Rep. Melissa Hortman, Sen. John Hoffman shot in 'targeted ...
- Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, husband shot and killed
- 2 Minnesota lawmakers were shot in their homes by man ...
- Minnesota lawmakers John Hoffman, Melissa Hortman shot
- Live updates on Minnesota lawmaker shootings
- 2 Minnesota lawmakers in grave condition after apparent ...
- Brooklyn Park Police manhunt: Do not answer door for ...
- Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and husband dead in ...
