Fact Check: Investigators believe the suspect in the shooting may have been posing as a law enforcement officer.

Fact Check: Investigators believe the suspect in the shooting may have been posing as a law enforcement officer

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, two Minnesota state lawmakers, Rep. Melissa Hortman and Sen. John Hoffman, were shot in what authorities are describing as targeted attacks. Reports indicate that the suspect may have been impersonating a police officer at the time of the shootings. The Brooklyn Park Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order, advising residents not to answer their doors for police officers unless there are two present, or to call 911 to confirm the officer's identity (source-1, source-3).

The suspect is described as a white male wearing black body armor over a blue shirt and blue pants, and is considered armed and dangerous. Eyewitness accounts and police reports suggest that the suspect opened fire immediately upon arrival at Rep. Hortman's home, where the shootings occurred (source-3, source-6).

Analysis

The claim that investigators believe the suspect may have been posing as a law enforcement officer is supported by multiple credible sources. The initial reports from law enforcement and media outlets consistently highlight that the suspect was dressed in a manner that resembled police attire and that this impersonation was a significant concern for public safety (source-1, source-5).

The reliability of the sources is high, as they include established news organizations and official statements from law enforcement. The urgency of the situation, combined with the specificity of the suspect's description and the actions taken by police, lends credibility to the assertion that the suspect was impersonating an officer. Furthermore, the shelter-in-place order issued by the police underscores the seriousness of the threat posed by the suspect, reinforcing the belief that he was attempting to deceive victims by posing as law enforcement (source-3, source-7).

Conclusion

The claim that investigators believe the suspect in the shooting may have been posing as a law enforcement officer is True. Multiple credible sources confirm that the suspect was dressed in police-like attire and that this impersonation is a key aspect of the ongoing investigation. The actions taken by law enforcement, including the issuance of a shelter-in-place order, further validate the seriousness of the threat posed by the suspect.

Sources

1. Minnesota state lawmakers shot, search underway for ...
2. MN lawmaker shootings: Authorities warn suspect dressed ...
3. Live updates on Minnesota lawmaker shootings
4. Minnesota legislators targeted in shootings by suspect ...
5. Minnesota state lawmakers shot, search underway for ...
6. Two lawmakers shot in their homes, Minnesota mayor says
7. Two Minnesota lawmakers were shot in their homes in a ...