Fact Check: FBI Offers $50,000 Reward for Information on Vance Boelter
What We Know
On June 14, 2025, the FBI announced a reward of up to $50,000 for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Vance Boelter, a suspect in the targeted shootings of Minnesota state lawmakers Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman. The shootings resulted in the death of Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, while Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were shot and wounded but survived the attack. The shootings occurred at the lawmakers' homes, with authorities stating that Boelter impersonated a police officer to gain access to the victims (Anderson & Schneider, 2025; BBC, 2025).
The FBI's involvement and the reward offer were confirmed by multiple sources, including a statement from the Minnesota State Patrol, which described the incident as an "act of targeted political violence" (Anderson & Schneider, 2025; KSTP, 2025). The manhunt for Boelter has involved extensive collaboration between local law enforcement and federal agencies, underscoring the seriousness of the situation.
Analysis
The claim that the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to Vance Boelter's arrest and conviction is supported by credible news reports from reputable sources. NPR reported that the FBI confirmed the reward in the context of the ongoing investigation into the shootings (Anderson & Schneider, 2025). Similarly, the BBC provided details about the manhunt and the circumstances surrounding the shootings, corroborating the information about the reward (BBC, 2025).
The reliability of these sources is high; NPR and BBC are well-established news organizations known for their journalistic integrity. Both outlets have reported on the incident with a focus on facts and official statements, minimizing speculation. Additionally, KSTP, a local news station, also confirmed the FBI's reward offer, further validating the claim (KSTP, 2025).
While the situation is still developing, the consistency across multiple credible sources lends strong support to the claim. There is no evidence from the available sources to suggest that the FBI's reward offer is fabricated or misleading.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that the FBI is offering a $50,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of Vance Boelter is accurate. This information is substantiated by multiple reliable news sources that have reported on the ongoing investigation into the targeted shootings of Minnesota lawmakers.
