Fact Check: "State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed at their home on Saturday, while state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded at their home."
What We Know
On Saturday, June 14, 2025, Minnesota State Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were fatally shot at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota. Governor Tim Walz confirmed the tragic news during a press conference, expressing his sorrow over the loss of a "great leader" and a "dearest friend" (source). The attack was described as politically motivated, with law enforcement stating that the suspect had impersonated an officer (source).
In a related incident, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were also shot at their home but survived the attack. Governor Walz reported that both Hoffmans had undergone surgery and were expected to recover (source). Yvette Hoffman was noted for shielding her daughter from the gunfire during the attack, which resulted in her being shot eight times (source).
Analysis
The claim that State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed while State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded is substantiated by multiple reliable sources. The initial report from the Minnesota House's official website confirmed the deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman, while also detailing the injuries sustained by John and Yvette Hoffman (source).
The New York Times provided additional context, noting that Melissa Hortman was a significant political figure in Minnesota, having served as the House Speaker and played a crucial role in various legislative efforts (source). The incident has been widely reported across various media outlets, including CBS News and ABC News, which corroborated the details of the shootings and described them as politically motivated attacks (source, source).
The credibility of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a track record of accurate reporting. The details provided in these reports align consistently, reinforcing the veracity of the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed at their home while State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded is accurate. The information has been confirmed by multiple credible sources, including official statements from state officials and detailed reports from major news outlets.
Sources
- Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, husband killed in attack - House Minnesota
- Who Are Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, the Minnesota Lawmakers Who ... - The New York Times
- Wife of Minnesota politician shielded daughter from bullets ... - BBC News
- Minnesota assassination survivor and husband shot 17 times - BBC News
- Minnesota Rep. Hortman and husband killed, Sen. Hoffman and wife ... - CBS News
- Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman killed, State Sen. John Hoffman ... - ABC News
- Who are Minnesota lawmakers Melissa Hortman, John Hoffman? - USA Today
