In a solemn announcement on Tuesday, it was revealed that former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, will be memorialized at the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda on Friday, preceding their Saturday funeral. Their deaths are part of a tragic series of events described by authorities as politically motivated. Governor Tim Walz has confirmed that the Hortmans fell victim to a violent shooting at their residence in Brooklyn Park on June 14. Notably, Melissa Hortman, a fervent Democrat, will become the first woman to receive this honor, joining fewer than twenty Minnesotans who have been commemorated in such a way.
The attack that claimed the lives of the Hortmans also left an indelible mark, causing grave harm to their golden retriever, Gilbert, who succumbed to his injuries and was euthanized. Gilbert will be honored alongside his owners as they lie in repose. The public is invited to pay respects from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday. While the funeral service on Saturday will remain private, it will be available for viewing on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s YouTube channel.
Additional details have emerged through unsealed documents amidst ongoing investigations into the case. Federal prosecutors have charged Vance Boelter with the shootings and suggest that his malicious intentions included visiting other Democratic legislators, notably Sen. Ann Rest and Rep. Kristin Bahner. Boelter purportedly had a list of Democrats from across the country as potential targets. Searches of his property in Green Isle uncovered an alarming cache, including 48 firearms, various types of ammunition, and nearly $18,000 in cash, as well as a disturbing collection of body bags found in a Minneapolis storage locker.
Further insights were gained from an affidavit detailing how law enforcement intercepted Boelter’s wife, who was traveling in Onamia with her children on the day of the shootings. She divulged that Boelter had instructed them to leave their home, revealing that preexists contingency preparations existed, should catastrophic events occur. Though she permitted a search of her vehicle, uncovering cash, passports, and firearms, she has not faced charges herself.
Boelter was detained after an intense 40-hour manhunt, which officials describe as one of the most exhaustive in state’s history. He’s facing numerous charges, potentially carrying the death sentence at a federal level, though Minnesota abolished capital punishment over a century ago. Local prosecutor Mary Moriarty is pursuing an indictment under state law, aiming for first-degree murder with a life sentence without parole.
The gravity of the incident prompted a bipartisan tribute in Washington, where Minnesota’s congressional representatives commemorated the Hortmans and other affected lawmakers, recognizing their dedication and service. Democratic Rep. Kelly Morrison emphasized Melissa Hortman’s impact, highlighting her initiative in bridging divides across the political spectrum and passing significant legislative measures. Reflecting on the tragedy, Republican Majority Whip Tom Emmer condemned the violence, urging unity and resilience in the face of such senseless acts.