Fact Check: Attempted Assassination of Minnesota Lawmakers
What We Know
On October 14, 2023, a gunman named Vance Boelter allegedly attempted to kill Minnesota state Democratic Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, while also fatally shooting Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The attacks occurred at the lawmakers' homes in the Minneapolis suburbs, with the gunman reportedly impersonating a police officer during the incidents (source-1, source-2). Authorities indicated that Boelter had a list of about 70 potential targets, which included politicians and community leaders, suggesting that the shootings were acts of targeted political violence (source-1, source-3).
Both Senator Hoffman and his wife were wounded but survived the attack, while Representative Hortman and her husband did not survive (source-4). Following the shootings, a manhunt was initiated for Boelter, who was described as armed and dangerous (source-2).
Analysis
The claim that Vance Boelter attempted to kill Senator John Hoffman and his wife while fatally shooting Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband is supported by multiple credible news sources. The New York Times reported that the gunman killed Representative Hortman and her husband while also wounding Senator Hoffman and his wife in separate attacks (source-1). NPR and ABC News corroborated these details, confirming the identities of the victims and the nature of the attacks as politically motivated violence (source-2, source-3).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The information presented is consistent across various reports, and the details surrounding the events, including the suspect's background and the political implications, have been thoroughly covered.
However, it is important to note that while the initial reports were clear about the events, ongoing investigations may reveal more details as they unfold. As of now, the evidence strongly supports the claim that Boelter was responsible for the shootings.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Vance Boelter attempted to kill Minnesota state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, while fatally shooting Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, is accurate. Multiple credible sources confirm the events as described, categorizing them as targeted political violence.
Sources
- Here's what to know about Yvette Hoffman, who was wounded in the ... New York Times
- Suspect named in targeted shootings of Minnesota ... NPR
- Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman killed, State Sen. John Hoffman ... ABC News
- Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman killed, state Sen. John Hoffman injured ... CBS News
- Minnesota shootings latest: Suspect Vance Boelter arrested after ... MSN
