Fact Check: "Vance Boelter, 57, is the suspect sought in connection with the shootings of state lawmakers Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, and authorities believe he is no longer in the Brooklyn Park area."
What We Know
Vance Luther Boelter, 57, has been identified as the suspect in the targeted shootings of Minnesota state lawmakers Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman. According to reports, Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home, while Hoffman and his wife were shot at their residence in Champlin, approximately 15 kilometers away. Hoffman is currently in stable condition following surgery (BBC, NPR).
Authorities have stated that Boelter was impersonating a police officer during the incidents, using a false badge and uniform to gain access to the victims' homes (NPR, KTVU). A manhunt is underway, involving local police, the FBI, and SWAT teams, with a reward of $50,000 offered for information leading to Boelter's arrest (CBS News, Dallas News).
As of the latest updates, law enforcement officials believe that Boelter may have left the Brooklyn Park area, although he was last seen in Minneapolis on the morning of the shootings (CNN, Fox29).
Analysis
The claim that Vance Boelter is the suspect in the shootings of state lawmakers is supported by multiple credible sources, including major news outlets like BBC, NPR, and CNN. These reports consistently identify Boelter as the suspect and detail the circumstances surrounding the shootings, including the impersonation of a police officer and the ongoing manhunt (BBC, NPR, KTVU).
However, the assertion that authorities believe he is no longer in the Brooklyn Park area is somewhat ambiguous. While reports indicate that Boelter was last seen in Minneapolis, they do not definitively state that he has left the area, only that he may be actively trying to flee (CNN, Fox29). This nuance suggests that while there is a belief he is no longer in Brooklyn Park, it is not confirmed.
The reliability of the sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. However, the evolving nature of the situation means that information can change rapidly as new developments occur.
Conclusion
The claim is Partially True. Vance Boelter is indeed the suspect sought in connection with the shootings of Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, and authorities believe he may no longer be in the Brooklyn Park area. However, the lack of definitive confirmation regarding his current whereabouts means that the assertion about his absence from Brooklyn Park is not fully substantiated.
Sources
- Manhunt after two Minnesota state politicians targeted ...
- Suspect named in targeted shootings of Minnesota ...
- MN lawmaker shootings: Rep. Hortman, her husband killed; manhunt for ...
- Live updates: Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman killed ...
- Minnesota lawmaker shootings: Suspect Vance Boelter sought in ...
- FBI releases new photo of Vance Boelter, wanted in ...
- Who is Vance Boelter? What to know about the Minnesota shooting suspect
- Minnesota Lawmaker Shooting Suspect Identified as 57-Year-Old ... - MSN
