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Minnesota Lawmakers Shot: Governor Announces State Capitol Tribute to Slain Couple

Strategic Insights

— 1 min read

The Minnesota government will hold a public tribute to honor Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were tragically shot and killed in a politically motivated attack earlier this month. The tribute will take place in the state Capitol Rotunda on Friday, a day before their funeral, and will include the couple's golden retriever, Gilbert, who was also seriously wounded in the attack.

The event will allow the public to pay their respects to the Hortmans from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, with a private funeral scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday. A livestream of the event will be available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's YouTube channel. The tribute honors a remarkable couple who will be remembered as one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to receive this distinguished honor.

Key Takeaways:

  • Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, will lie in state in the state Capitol Rotunda on Friday, a day ahead of their funeral, in a tribute announced by Gov. Tim Walz.
  • The tribute will also include the couple's golden retriever, Gilbert, who was seriously wounded in the attack but later had to be euthanized.
  • The public can pay their respects to the Hortmans at the Capitol from noon to 5 p.m. on Friday, with a private funeral scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.
  • A livestream of the event will be available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety's YouTube channel.
  • Vance Boelter, 57, of Green Isle, faces state and federal murder and other charges in the shootings and has not entered a plea.
  • Two of the six federal counts against him can carry the death penalty.
  • Authorities say the gunman had dozens of other Democrats as potential targets, including officials from other states.
  • The attack is considered the largest search in Minnesota's history, with authorities responding after the shootings.

Statistics:

  • One of fewer than 20 Minnesotans to be accorded the honor of lying in state at the Capitol.
  • Six federal counts against Vance Boelter, including two carrying the death penalty.
  • The largest search in Minnesota history in response to the shootings.
  • A private funeral scheduled for 10:30 a.m. on Saturday.

Sources:

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"Former Minnesota House Speaker to be Honored with State Capitol Tribute", Former Minnesota House Speaker to be Honored with State Capitol Tribute, 2025 The Associated Press. All rights reserved

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