What Happened
On June 14, 2025, former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, were shot and killed in their Brooklyn Park home by Vance Boelter, who posed as a police officer and is suspected of carrying out a politically motivated assassination targeting Democratic lawmakers
Their beloved golden retriever, Gilbert, was also shot and later euthanized
Boelter also wounded state Senator John Hoffman and his wife in a separate, related shooting the same night
Authorities found notebooks listing Democratic legislators and abortion‑rights advocates in Boelter’s possession
🕊️ The Tribute at the State Capitol
On June 27, the Hortman family, including Gilbert, lay in state in the Minnesota State Capitol Rotunda—a rare honor: Melissa as the first woman, and Gilbert likely the first animal to receive it. The public was invited from 12 p.m to 5 p.m.
Thousands of mourners formed long lines through the plaza and rotunda to pay their respects
🇺🇸 President Biden’s Visit
Former President Joe Biden (the article refers to him as former, but the user called him President—likely a mislabel) attended the tribute late afternoon on June 27
He was escorted into the cleared rotunda alone, paused briefly before the coffins, then departed—afterwards, the viewing reopened to the public
reuters.com
Vice President Kamala Harris and Governor Tim Walz were also present, and a private funeral followed on June 28
🕯️ Significance & Legacy
Melissa Hortman served in the Minnesota House since 2005, was Speaker from 2019–2025, and was known for championing environmental policies, school lunch programs, paid leave, and 100 % clean energy by 2040
Governor Walz and lawmakers called the killings “targeted political violence,” highlighting concerns over rising ideological extremism in the U.S.
Boelter faces state and federal murder charges, with a grand jury reviewing possible federal death-penalty counts—even though Minnesota abolished capital punishment in 1911
🧭 In Summary
What: A shocking, politically motivated assassination of Melissa Hortman, her husband, and their dog.
When & Where: June 14 in Brooklyn Park; memorial June 27 at St. Paul’s Capitol.
Biden’s Role: Attended the solemn tribute late afternoon June 27, briefly paying respects before the public resumed viewing.
Why It Matters: A historic moment—Melissa’s lie in state honors, the broader alarm over political violence, and the nation’s collective grief.
