Fact Check: Shooter had a hit list targeting only Democrats.

Fact Check: Shooter Had a Hit List Targeting Only Democrats

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, Vance Boelter was arrested in connection with the shooting deaths of Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the shooting of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife. Authorities reported that Boelter had a "hit list" containing the names of 45 elected officials, all of whom were Democrats (NPR, PBS). This list included prominent figures such as U.S. Senator Tina Smith and Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison (ABC News, Fox 9).

The FBI and local law enforcement characterized the attacks as politically motivated, with U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson stating that the details of the case were "truly chilling" and indicative of a targeted attack against public servants (NPR, New York Times). The suspect allegedly impersonated a police officer during the attacks, further emphasizing the premeditated nature of the crimes (NPR, PBS).

Analysis

The claim that the shooter had a hit list targeting only Democrats is substantiated by multiple credible sources. The NPR report explicitly states that all individuals on Boelter's list were Democrats, which was corroborated by statements from U.S. Attorney Joseph Thompson (NPR, PBS). Additionally, the New York Times highlighted the political context surrounding the shootings, noting that they occurred after a particularly contentious legislative session, which may have contributed to the motive behind the attacks (New York Times).

The reliability of these sources is high, as they include established news organizations such as NPR, PBS, and the New York Times, which adhere to journalistic standards of fact-checking and sourcing. The information has been consistent across reports, with no credible evidence suggesting that the list included individuals from other political affiliations.

However, it is important to note that while the list targeted only Democrats, the broader implications of political violence and its causes remain complex and multifaceted. The context of rising political tensions in the U.S. adds layers to the interpretation of these events, but does not detract from the factual accuracy of the claim regarding the hit list.

Conclusion

The claim that Vance Boelter had a hit list targeting only Democrats is True. The evidence from multiple reputable sources confirms that all individuals on the list were indeed Democrats, and the attacks were characterized as politically motivated. This incident underscores ongoing concerns regarding political violence in the United States.

Fact Check: Shooter had a hit list targeting only Democrats.