Fact Check: The gunman posed as a police officer in a shocking political assassination.

Fact Check: "The gunman posed as a police officer in a shocking political assassination."

What We Know

On June 14, 2025, Vance Luther Boelter, a 57-year-old man from Green Isle, Minnesota, was charged with the murders of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, as well as the attempted murder of Minnesota State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman. According to court documents, Boelter executed a premeditated plan to target elected officials, disguising himself as a police officer and using a vehicle that resembled a law enforcement SUV equipped with flashing lights (source-1, source-2).

Boelter approached the Hoffmans' home under the pretense of being a police officer, knocking on their door and claiming to be conducting an official inquiry. Once the door was opened, he opened fire, killing both Mark and Melissa Hortman (source-1, source-3). The FBI characterized these acts as a "political assassination," emphasizing the targeted nature of the violence against public officials (source-4, source-6).

Analysis

The evidence supporting the claim that the gunman posed as a police officer is robust. Multiple sources confirm that Boelter not only disguised himself as a police officer but also used a vehicle designed to mimic a law enforcement car, which he utilized to gain access to the victims (source-1, source-2). The coordinated statements from law enforcement officials, including the FBI and local police, reinforce the narrative of a calculated attack aimed at political figures, highlighting the seriousness of the situation and the implications for public safety and democracy (source-1, source-4).

The sources used in this analysis are credible, including official statements from the U.S. Department of Justice, NPR, and major news outlets like the Associated Press and Reuters, which are known for their journalistic integrity and fact-checking standards. The consistency across these reports adds to their reliability.

Conclusion

The claim that "the gunman posed as a police officer in a shocking political assassination" is True. The evidence clearly indicates that Vance Luther Boelter employed a police disguise and vehicle to execute a targeted attack on elected officials, resulting in the tragic deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman and the wounding of Senator John Hoffman and his wife. This incident has been officially classified as a political assassination, underscoring its significance and the threat it poses to public officials.

Sources

1. After Two-Day Manhunt, Suspect Charged with Shooting ...
2. Gunman dressed as police officer kills prominent ...
3. Man suspected of shooting Minnesota lawmakers in ...
4. Suspect in Minnesota lawmaker killing visited other ...
5. Minnesota shooting suspect went to homes of two more ...
6. What We Know About How the Minnesota Assassination ...
7. Suspect who terrorized Minnesota's political leaders after ...