Fact Check: Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park on Saturday morning.

Published June 14, 2025

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VERDICT

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# Fact Check: "Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park on Saturday...

Fact Check: "Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park on Saturday morning."

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, it was reported that Melissa Hortman, a Democratic state representative and former Speaker of the Minnesota House, and her husband Mark Hortman were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. The incident occurred early in the morning and was described as a politically motivated attack. A gunman impersonating a police officer was responsible for the shooting, which also involved another state legislator, Senator John Hoffman, and his wife, who were wounded but survived the attack (New York Times, Fox 9, MPR News).

Law enforcement officials confirmed that the suspect, identified as Vance Boelter, 57, fled the scene and was considered armed and dangerous. A manifesto and a target list were found in his vehicle, which included the names of the lawmakers attacked (CNN, CBS News). Minnesota Governor Tim Walz expressed deep sorrow over the incident, stating it was a dark day for Minnesota and democracy (Fox 9).

Analysis

The reports from multiple reputable sources confirm the tragic events surrounding the deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman. The New York Times and Fox 9 both provide detailed accounts of the attack, including the impersonation of a police officer and the subsequent manhunt for the suspect (source-1, source-2). The Minnesota Public Radio and CNN reports corroborate these details, emphasizing the politically motivated nature of the attack and the implications for political safety in the state (source-3, source-4).

The credibility of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a track record of accurate reporting. The Associated Press also confirmed the identities of the victims and the circumstances of the attack, further validating the claims made by other outlets (source-5).

While the situation is still developing, the consistency across various reports lends strong support to the claim that Melissa and Mark Hortman were indeed shot and killed in their home.

Conclusion

Verdict: True
The claim that Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park on Saturday morning is accurate. Multiple reliable news sources have reported on the incident, confirming the details of the attack and the identities of the victims. The tragic nature of this event highlights ongoing concerns regarding political violence.

Sources

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