Fact Check: "Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in a politically motivated shooting in Brooklyn Park on June 14, 2025."
What We Know
The claim that Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in a politically motivated shooting on June 14, 2025, is false. Reports indicate that on June 14, 2025, Rep. Melissa Hortman and another Minnesota lawmaker, Senator John Hoffman, were shot, but both survived the attack. The incident involved a suspect impersonating a police officer, and while it was described as a targeted attack, there is no evidence to suggest it was politically motivated or that either lawmaker was killed (Reuters, Fox 9).
Analysis
The sources reporting on the incident provide crucial context. According to Reuters, the shooting occurred in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, and involved two lawmakers who were shot while attending a public event. The suspect was reported to have posed as a police officer, which indicates a premeditated act of violence rather than a politically motivated assassination.
Furthermore, Fox 9 confirmed that both Rep. Hortman and Sen. Hoffman were injured but alive following the shooting. This directly contradicts the claim that they were killed. The nature of the attack, while serious, does not align with the narrative of a politically motivated killing.
The reliability of the sources is high, as both Reuters and Fox 9 are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. They provide timely updates and fact-checking, which adds credibility to their reports.
Conclusion
The claim that Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed in a politically motivated shooting is false. Both lawmakers were shot but survived the incident, which involved a suspect impersonating a police officer. The narrative of a politically motivated assassination is not supported by the available evidence.
