Fact Check: "Vance Boelter's manhunt was the largest in Minnesota's history."
What We Know
On June 14, 2025, Vance Boelter was involved in a violent incident targeting Minnesota lawmakers, which resulted in the deaths of Minnesota House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as the shooting of State Senator John Hoffman and his wife. Following these attacks, a two-day manhunt ensued, which was described by law enforcement officials as the largest manhunt in Minnesota's history (source-1, source-3). This extensive search involved coordination among multiple law enforcement agencies, including the FBI, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, and local police departments (source-1).
Analysis
The claim that Vance Boelter's manhunt was the largest in Minnesota's history is supported by statements from law enforcement officials, including Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley, who explicitly referred to it as such (source-3). The coordination of various agencies and the scale of the operation, which involved significant resources and manpower, further corroborate this assertion (source-7).
However, it is important to consider the context and potential biases of the sources. The statements come from official law enforcement communications and reputable news outlets, which typically strive for accuracy. The claim's reliability is bolstered by the fact that it is consistently reported across multiple credible sources (source-5, source-6).
While there may be other significant manhunts in Minnesota's history, the specific characterization of this event as the largest appears to be a consensus among law enforcement and media reports, suggesting it is a valid claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The claim that Vance Boelter's manhunt was the largest in Minnesota's history is substantiated by multiple credible sources, including law enforcement officials and major news outlets. The scale of the operation, the involvement of various agencies, and the explicit statements made by authorities support this assertion.
Sources
- After Two-Day Manhunt, Suspect Charged with Shooting ... (https://www.justice.gov/opa/pr/after-two-day-manhunt-suspect-charged-shooting-two-minnesota-lawmakers-and-their-spouses)
- After Two-Day Manhunt, Suspect Charged with Shooting ... (https://www.justice.gov/usao-mn/pr/after-two-day-manhunt-suspect-charged-shooting-two-minnesota-lawmakers-and-their-spouses)
- Vance Boelter captured, charged in shooting of Minnesota lawmakers : NPR (https://www.npr.org/2025/06/16/nx-s1-5433748/minnesota-shooting-suspect-vance-boelter-arrested-melissa-hortman-john-hoffman)
- Friends say Minnesota shooting suspect was deeply ... (https://apnews.com/article/minnesota-shootings-lawmakers-suspect-21b2165404bc66f77dd5e0e36efeb065)
- How Vance Boelter, the Minnesota Shootings Suspect, Was Caught - The New York Times (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/16/us/minnesota-shooting-suspect-caught-how.html)
- What We Know About the Minnesota Shooting Suspect (https://www.nytimes.com/2025/06/14/us/politics/minnesota-shootings-gunman-suspect.html)
- Live updates: Minnesota suspect Vance Boelter captured after manhunt in ... (https://www.cnn.com/us/live-news/minnesota-shootings-manhunt-06-15-25)