Fact Check: "Minnesota shooting suspect had a 'hit list' of 45 political targets."
What We Know
Authorities in Minnesota have confirmed that Vance Boelter, the suspect arrested for the shooting of two state lawmakers, had a "hit list" containing the names of 45 elected officials, all of whom are Democrats. This information was disclosed during a press conference by acting U.S. Attorney Joe Thompson, who described the details of the case as "truly chilling" and indicative of a targeted attack against public servants (NPR). Boelter was apprehended after a significant manhunt following the tragic shooting that resulted in the death of Democratic state Rep. Melissa Hortman and left another lawmaker, state Sen. John Hoffman, severely injured (NPR, AP News).
Analysis
The claim that Boelter had a "hit list" is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The NPR report outlines the chilling nature of the attack, noting that Boelter was disguised as a police officer and had been planning the attacks for months (NPR). Additionally, the FBI and local law enforcement have corroborated the existence of the list, which included prominent Democratic figures such as U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (NPR, AP News).
The reliability of these sources is high; NPR is a well-established news organization known for its investigative journalism, and the statements from law enforcement officials add further credibility to the claims. The information has also been reported by the Associated Press, which is recognized for its accurate and timely news reporting (AP News).
While some may argue that the political affiliations of the targets could introduce bias into the narrative, the focus of the reports is primarily on the violent nature of the crime and the implications for political safety, rather than on partisan politics. This suggests that the reporting is grounded in factual recounting rather than ideological framing.
Conclusion
The claim that the Minnesota shooting suspect had a "hit list" of 45 political targets is True. This is supported by multiple credible sources, including law enforcement statements and reputable news organizations, confirming the existence of the list and the targeted nature of the attacks against elected officials.
Sources
- The suspect in the shooting of 2 Minnesota lawmakers had a 'hit list ... (https://www.npr.org/2025/06/16/nx-s1-5433748/minnesota-shooting-suspect-vance-boelter-arrested-melissa-hortman-john-hoffman)
- After Two-Day Manhunt, Suspect Charged with Shooting ... (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/after-two-day-manhunt-suspect-charged-shooting-two-minnesota-lawmakers-and-their-spouses)
- Lawmakers react to suspected Minnesota gunman's list of ... (https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-lawmakers-shot-potential-targets-reaction-7c6b5f9923e53e955295a0a700b6ac6f)
