Fact Check: "Vance Boelter allegedly killed Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband and shot and wounded state Senator John Hoffman and his wife on June 17, 2023."
What We Know
On June 17, 2023, a tragic incident unfolded in Minnesota where Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed, while state Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot and wounded. The suspect, identified as 57-year-old Vance Boelter, was reported to have been impersonating a police officer during the attacks and was found to possess a list of approximately 70 potential targets, which included various political figures and community leaders (New York Times, CBS News, ABC News).
The shootings occurred at the lawmakers' homes in the Minneapolis suburbs, with the Hortmans being attacked first. Representative Hortman was pronounced dead at the scene, while her husband succumbed to his injuries shortly after. Senator Hoffman and his wife were both hospitalized with serious injuries but survived (New York Times, ABC News).
Analysis
The claims regarding the events of June 17, 2023, are supported by multiple reputable news sources. The New York Times, CBS News, and ABC News all reported on the incident, confirming the deaths of Melissa and Mark Hortman and the injuries sustained by John and Yvette Hoffman. Each source provided consistent details about the nature of the attacks, the identity of the suspect, and the political implications of the violence (New York Times, CBS News, ABC News).
The credibility of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The reports were corroborated by statements from law enforcement officials, including Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who labeled the event a "political assassination" and indicated the broader implications for political safety in the U.S. (New York Times, ABC News).
Furthermore, the details surrounding the suspect, Vance Boelter, including his background and the nature of his actions, were consistently reported across multiple outlets, reinforcing the reliability of the information (CNN, Fox 32 Chicago).
Conclusion
The claim that Vance Boelter killed Democratic state Representative Melissa Hortman and her husband, and shot and wounded state Senator John Hoffman and his wife on June 17, 2023, is True. The evidence from multiple credible news sources confirms the details of the tragic incident, including the identities of the victims and the suspect, as well as the political motivations behind the attacks.
