Fact Check: "Suspect found dead with firearm after shooting spree."
What We Know
The claim that a suspect was found dead with a firearm after a shooting spree is false. In the case of Vance Boelter, who is charged with the shooting of Minnesota lawmakers, he was apprehended alive after a two-day manhunt. According to the Department of Justice, Boelter was taken into custody on June 15, 2025, in a field in Green Isle, Minnesota, approximately one mile from his residence. Law enforcement recovered multiple firearms from his vehicle, but Boelter himself was not found dead at the scene.
Furthermore, the details surrounding the incident indicate that Boelter had a calculated plan to attack elected officials, which led to the tragic deaths of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, as well as serious injuries to Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman. The FBI described Boelter as a "prepper," indicating he had been planning these attacks, and he was captured alive, not dead (BBC).
Analysis
The claim appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misrepresentation of the events surrounding the shooting spree. The sources available provide a clear narrative: Vance Boelter was actively involved in a violent attack against public officials, but he was apprehended alive by law enforcement. The Department of Justice and BBC reports confirm that Boelter was taken into custody without incident, which contradicts the claim that he was found dead.
The reliability of these sources is high, as they come from official government statements and reputable news organizations. The DOJ's press release provides detailed information about the charges against Boelter and the circumstances of his capture, while the BBC article corroborates these details with additional context about Boelter's background and motivations.
In contrast, the claim that a suspect was found dead with a firearm seems to be conflated with other unrelated incidents involving suspects who have been found deceased after shooting sprees, such as those reported in CNN and Al Jazeera. However, these cases do not pertain to Boelter's situation.
Conclusion
The verdict is False. Vance Boelter, the suspect in the shooting spree targeting Minnesota lawmakers, was not found dead with a firearm. Instead, he was captured alive after a two-day manhunt, and he is currently facing serious charges for his actions. The information from credible sources confirms that he was taken into custody without further incident, which directly contradicts the claim.
