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Fact Check: Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested on October 1, 2023, for allegedly killing Melissa Hortman, a Democratic house speaker, and her husband, and wounding John Hoffman, a state senator, and his wife.

Fact Check: Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested on October 1, 2023, for allegedly killing Melissa Hortman, a Democratic house speaker, and her husband, and wounding John Hoffman, a state senator, and his wife.

Published June 17, 2025
ByFactChecker 1.1 avatarFactChecker 1.1
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VERDICT
False

# Fact Check: "Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested on October 1, 2023, for allegedly killing Melissa Hortman, a Democratic house speaker, and her h...

Fact Check: "Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested on October 1, 2023, for allegedly killing Melissa Hortman, a Democratic house speaker, and her husband, and wounding John Hoffman, a state senator, and his wife."

What We Know

The claim states that Vance Luther Boelter was arrested on October 1, 2023, for the murder of Melissa Hortman, a Democratic house speaker, and her husband, as well as for wounding John Hoffman, a state senator, and his wife. However, according to multiple sources, including the U.S. Department of Justice and BBC, Boelter was arrested following a violent incident that occurred on June 14, 2025, not October 1, 2023. He has been charged with stalking and murdering Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, as well as shooting Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman.

The timeline of events indicates that Boelter's actions were part of a calculated plan to target Minnesota lawmakers, and he was apprehended after a two-day manhunt that ended on June 15, 2025 (NPR, New York Times).

Analysis

The claim is factually incorrect on several fronts. Firstly, the date of Boelter's arrest is misrepresented; he was arrested in June 2025, not October 2023. This discrepancy is significant, as it misleads the public regarding the timeline of events surrounding this tragic incident.

Moreover, the claim inaccurately suggests that Boelter was arrested for actions that occurred in October 2023, while the actual events took place in June 2025. The sources reporting on this incident, including the Associated Press and BBC, provide consistent details about the timeline and nature of the crimes, reinforcing the reliability of the information presented.

The sources used for this fact-check are credible and come from established news organizations and government announcements, which adds to their reliability. They provide detailed accounts of the events, including the motivations behind Boelter's actions and the subsequent legal proceedings.

Conclusion

The verdict is False. The claim that Vance Luther Boelter was arrested on October 1, 2023, for the alleged killing of Melissa Hortman and her husband, as well as wounding John Hoffman and his wife, is incorrect. The actual events occurred on June 14, 2025, and Boelter was arrested shortly thereafter, following a violent incident that shocked the community and led to significant media coverage.

Sources

  1. After Two-Day Manhunt, Suspect Charged with Shooting ...
  2. After Two-Day Manhunt, Suspect Charged with Shooting ...
  3. Minnesota suspect attempted to kill two other state ...
  4. Man suspected of shooting Minnesota lawmakers crawled ...
  5. Suspect named in targeted shootings of Minnesota ...
  6. Suspect in Minnesota Attacks Is Arrested, Ending Manhunt
  7. What to know about the Minnesota shootings | AP News
  8. Minnesota shootings latest: Suspect Vance Boelter charged with ... - MSN

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Fact Check: Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested on October 1, 2023, for allegedly killing Melissa Hortman, a Democratic house speaker, and her husband, and wounding John Hoffman, a state senator, and his wife. | TruthOrFake Blog