Fact Check: "Yvette Hoffman shielded her daughter Hope Hoffman from bullets during an assassination attempt in Minnesota on Saturday, October 21, 2023."
What We Know
On October 21, 2023, an assassination attempt occurred in Minnesota, targeting state lawmakers, including Democratic state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman. Reports indicate that during the attack, Yvette Hoffman was shot eight times while she shielded her daughter, Hope Hoffman, from the gunfire. A family member confirmed this act of bravery, stating that Yvette used her body as a shield to protect her daughter from the bullets (BBC, Star Tribune).
Hope Hoffman, who survived the incident, subsequently called local authorities for help, which led to the rapid response that saved her parents' lives (BBC). The attack also resulted in the tragic deaths of former Speaker of the Minnesota House, Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark Hortman, who were shot and killed shortly after the Hoffmans were attacked (ABC News, CBS News).
The suspected shooter, Vance Luther Boelter, was arrested after a day-long manhunt and has been charged with multiple counts, including murder and attempted murder (USA Today, ABC News).
Analysis
The claim that Yvette Hoffman shielded her daughter from bullets during the assassination attempt is substantiated by multiple credible sources. Family members, including Yvette's nephew, have publicly stated that she threw herself over Hope to protect her (Star Tribune). This account is consistent across various reports, reinforcing the reliability of the information.
Moreover, the context of the shooting—described as a politically motivated attack—adds weight to the narrative surrounding the Hoffmans' actions during the incident (BBC, CBS News). The Minnesota Governor, Tim Walz, also acknowledged the heroic actions of the Hoffman family in a press conference, further corroborating the claim (BBC).
While the sources reporting this event are generally reliable news outlets, such as BBC, ABC News, and USA Today, it is essential to note that some reports may contain emotional language given the tragic nature of the events. However, the consistency of the accounts across multiple outlets lends credibility to the claim.
Conclusion
Verdict: True
The evidence supports the claim that Yvette Hoffman shielded her daughter Hope from bullets during the assassination attempt. Multiple reliable sources confirm this act of bravery, and the details surrounding the incident have been consistently reported. The tragic circumstances of the attack and the subsequent statements from family members and officials reinforce the authenticity of this claim.
Sources
- Wife of Minnesota politician shielded daughter from bullets ...
- Minnesota assassination survivor and husband shot 17 times
- Hoffmans release update after assassination attempt
- Minnesota Senator's Wife Speaks Out After Being Shot During ‘Politically Motivated Assassination Attempt’
- Minnesota shootings victims John, Yvette Hoffman say they're lucky to be alive
- Minnesota Rep. Hortman and husband killed, Sen. Hoffman wounded
- Family member: Yvette Hoffman threw herself over her daughter to shield her from assassin's bullets
- Wife of Minnesota senator says they’re lucky to be alive after shooting
