Fact Check: Governor calls shootings an 'act of targeted political violence'

Fact Check: Governor Calls Shootings an 'Act of Targeted Political Violence'

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the shootings of state lawmakers as "an act of targeted political violence" during a press conference following the tragic events. The shootings resulted in the death of Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, while Democratic state Senator John Hoffman and his wife were seriously injured in separate incidents at their homes (NPR, BBC). The suspect, Vance Boelter, was apprehended after a two-day manhunt and was found to have a list of potential targets, including other lawmakers (Wikipedia, ABC News).

Governor Walz emphasized the importance of peaceful discourse in a democratic society, stating, "We don't settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint" (NPR). The FBI is investigating the shootings as a targeted attack against state lawmakers, further corroborating the governor's characterization of the events (NBC News).

Analysis

The claim that Governor Walz referred to the shootings as "an act of targeted political violence" is supported by multiple credible sources. NPR, BBC, and NBC News all report his exact words, confirming that this characterization was made in the context of the shootings targeting elected officials (NPR, BBC, NBC News).

The context surrounding the shootings indicates a troubling trend of violence against politicians, which has raised concerns about the safety of public officials. The FBI's involvement and the discovery of a target list in the suspect's possession lend further weight to the notion that these acts were politically motivated (Wikipedia, ABC News).

While some might argue that the term "political violence" could be interpreted in various ways, the consensus among law enforcement and state officials is that the shootings were indeed targeted and politically motivated. This assessment is backed by the evidence gathered during the investigation, including the suspect's background and motives (BBC, ABC News).

Conclusion

Verdict: True
Governor Tim Walz did indeed call the shootings an "act of targeted political violence." This statement is well-documented across multiple reliable news sources and reflects the ongoing concerns regarding violence against public officials. The evidence supports the characterization of the shootings as politically motivated, aligning with the governor's remarks.

Fact Check: Governor calls shootings an 'act of targeted political violence'