Fact Check: "The suspected gunman, 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, is wanted for the shootings that killed Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, and wounded a state senator and his wife on October 7, 2023."
What We Know
On October 7, 2023, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park. Additionally, State Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot multiple times at their home in Champlin but survived the attack. The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter, allegedly posed as a police officer during the shootings and was later involved in an exchange of gunfire with the police before fleeing the scene on foot (BBC, Washington Post).
Authorities have confirmed that Boelter is wanted for these shootings and have linked him to a vehicle found in Sibley County, approximately 50 miles from the crime scenes. A target list containing the names of various Democratic politicians was reportedly found in a vehicle associated with Boelter (NBC News). The FBI has since added Boelter to their most wanted list and issued a $50,000 reward for information leading to his capture (Washington Post).
Analysis
The claim that Vance Luther Boelter is wanted for the shootings that killed Melissa Hortman and her husband, and wounded Senator Hoffman and his wife, is partially true but misleading in its implications. While Boelter is indeed the suspect in these shootings, the assertion that he "killed" both Hortman and her husband is incorrect. Reports confirm that only Melissa Hortman and her husband were killed, while Senator Hoffman and his wife survived the attack (BBC, NBC News).
Furthermore, the reliability of the sources reporting this information is generally high. The BBC and NBC News are established news organizations known for their journalistic standards. However, the Washington Post's coverage also adds context regarding Boelter's background and motivations, which is crucial for understanding the nature of the attack (Washington Post).
The claim's potential for misinterpretation lies in the wording, as it suggests that all four individuals were killed, which is not the case. The distinction is significant, especially in the context of ongoing investigations and public safety concerns.
Conclusion
The verdict is False. While Vance Luther Boelter is indeed the suspect in the shootings that resulted in the deaths of Melissa Hortman and her husband, the claim incorrectly states that he killed both Hortman and her husband while also wounding the Hoffmans. The Hoffmans survived the attack, making the claim misleading.
