Fact Check: Vance Boelter is the suspect in the shooting of Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, as well as the fatal shooting of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark.
What We Know
On October 14, 2023, Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home, while State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, were shot in their Champlin home approximately five miles away. The shootings have been described as politically motivated, with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz labeling them a "political assassination" (CBS News). Authorities have identified 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as the suspect in these shootings. He was last seen on surveillance video in Minneapolis and is considered armed and dangerous (CNN).
The Hennepin County Medical Examiner's Office confirmed that both Hortman and her husband died from multiple gunshot wounds, with Rep. Hortman pronounced dead at the scene (CBS News). Sen. Hoffman underwent surgery for serious injuries but is reported to be stable, while the condition of his wife remains unclear (CNN).
Analysis
The claim that Vance Boelter is the suspect in the shootings of both State Sen. John Hoffman and State Rep. Melissa Hortman is supported by multiple reliable news sources. Reports indicate that Boelter was dressed in a manner resembling a police officer during the attacks and had a vehicle that appeared to be a police car (ABC News). Additionally, writings found in his vehicle included a hit list of nearly 70 names, primarily targeting Democratic lawmakers and abortion rights advocates (MPR News).
The sources used in this analysis are credible and come from established news organizations, including CBS News, CNN, and ABC News, which have a history of accurate reporting. The information has been corroborated across various outlets, reinforcing the reliability of the claims regarding Boelter's involvement in the shootings.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The evidence clearly supports the claim that Vance Boelter is the suspect in the shootings of Minnesota State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, as well as the fatal shootings of State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. The identification of Boelter as the suspect has been confirmed by multiple reputable sources, and the circumstances surrounding the shootings indicate a politically motivated attack.
Sources
- Minnesota Rep. Hortman and husband killed, Sen. ...
- June 14, 2025 - News on the manhunt for gunman who ...
- Manhunt continues for suspect in shootings of Minnesota ...
- Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman killed, State Sen. John ...
- The attacks on Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota
- Minnesota lawmaker shootings: Vance Boelter manhunt ...
- Minnesota lawmakers shot: Manhunt continues for suspect ...
- Manhunt for Vance Boelter, wanted in Minnesota ...
