Fact Check: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz described the shooting of lawmakers as 'targeted political violence' and confirmed that the suspect also shot and wounded another lawmaker, Senator John Hoffman, and his wife Yvette.

Fact Check: Minnesota Governor Tim Walz Describes Shooting of Lawmakers as 'Targeted Political Violence'

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz issued a statement following a tragic incident involving state lawmakers. He described the shooting as "targeted political violence," confirming that State Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot and wounded during the attack, while State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were killed (Governor Tim Walz Statement on Targeted Political Violence). The attacks occurred in the early hours of Saturday in Brooklyn Park and Champlin, Minnesota, and the suspect, Vance Luther Boelter, was arrested after a massive manhunt (What we know about the attack on two Minnesota lawmakers).

Governor Walz emphasized the need for civility and condemned the violence, stating, "We are not a country that settles our differences at gunpoint" (Man suspected of shooting Minnesota lawmakers arrested). Reports indicate that both Hoffman and his wife underwent surgery and were recovering (Political Assassination Rattles Minnesota).

Analysis

The claim that Governor Walz described the shooting as "targeted political violence" is supported by multiple credible sources. His official statement explicitly uses this phrase, reinforcing the seriousness of the attacks on the lawmakers (Governor Tim Walz Statement on Targeted Political Violence). Additionally, various news outlets corroborate the details of the incident, including the injuries sustained by Senator Hoffman and his wife, as well as the fatal shooting of Representative Hortman and her husband (What we know about the attack on two Minnesota lawmakers, Minnesota lawmaker, spouse dead after targeted shooting).

The sources utilized in this analysis are reputable, including official government statements and established news organizations such as the BBC and the Associated Press. These outlets are known for their journalistic integrity and thorough reporting, which adds to the reliability of the information presented (Man suspected of shooting Minnesota lawmakers arrested, Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman killed, State Sen. John Hoffman ...).

Conclusion

The claim that Minnesota Governor Tim Walz referred to the shooting of lawmakers as "targeted political violence" and confirmed that Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot and wounded is True. The evidence from official statements and credible news reports supports this assertion, highlighting the gravity of the situation and the governor's condemnation of political violence.

Sources

1. Governor Tim Walz Statement on Targeted Political Violence
2. What we know about the attack on two Minnesota lawmakers
3. Man suspected of shooting Minnesota lawmakers arrested ...
4. Political Assassination Rattles Minnesota
5. Minnesota lawmaker, spouse dead after targeted shooting
6. Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman killed, State Sen. John Hoffman ...
7. Lawmakers react to 'targeted political violence' in Minnesota
8. Minnesota Rep. Hortman and husband killed, Sen. ...