Fact Check: "Victims of the shootings were all Democratic lawmakers."
What We Know
On June 14, 2025, a tragic shooting incident occurred in Minnesota, where two Democratic lawmakers were targeted. The victims included former House Speaker Melissa Hortman, who was killed along with her husband, and State Senator John A. Hoffman, who was injured along with his wife. Governor Tim Walz described the incident as “targeted political violence” and a “politically motivated assassination” (AP News, NBC News). The suspect, identified as Vance Boelter, had previously served on a state workforce development board with Hoffman, although it remains unclear how well they knew each other (New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that all victims of the shootings were Democratic lawmakers is supported by multiple credible sources. The Associated Press reported that Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed in their home, while Senator John Hoffman and his wife were shot but survived the attack (AP News). This information is corroborated by reports from NBC News and ABC News, both of which confirm that the victims were indeed all affiliated with the Democratic Party (NBC News, ABC News).
The reliability of these sources is high, as they are established news organizations with a history of accurate reporting. The incident has also been covered by various outlets, including CNN and The Guardian, which further emphasize the political motivations behind the shootings and the affiliations of the victims (CNN, The Guardian).
Moreover, the context of the shootings—occurring amid rising political violence against public officials—adds weight to the claim that the victims were specifically targeted due to their political affiliations (YouTube).
Conclusion
The claim that all victims of the shootings were Democratic lawmakers is True. The evidence from multiple credible news sources confirms that both Melissa Hortman and John Hoffman, the victims of the shooting, were affiliated with the Democratic Party. The nature of the attack, described as politically motivated, further supports this conclusion.
Sources
- Minnesota lawmaker, spouse dead after targeted shooting
- What We Know About the Minnesota Shooting Suspect
- Democratic Minnesota politician fatally shot, another ...
- Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman killed, State Sen. John ...
- What to know about the man accused of shooting two ...
- What we know about the Minnesota shooting suspect
- Minnesota police search for suspect after Democratic ...
- Lawmaker shootings highlight America's growing problem ...
