Just days after Minnesota state lawmaker Melissa Hortman and her husband were tragically killed in a shooting, the family had to make the difficult decision to euthanize their rescue dog, Gilbert.

Vance Boelter allegedly shot Gilbert, the family’s golden retriever, during the attack at the Brooklyn Park home.

Fellow Minnesota House Rep. Erin Koegel commented on social media platform X that he was put down following the murder.

Vance Boelter allegedly shot Gilbert, the family’s golden retriever, during the attack at the Brooklyn Park home. (Facebook/Melissa Hortman)

“This morning, we learned of the tragic and senseless death of former Speaker of the House Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark,” the post began. 

“Melissa dedicated herself to her community in various ways. She was a trainer for Helping Paws Foster Homes, as well as a neighbor and a friend. The Hortman family was responsible for raising and training Minnie, who now serves as a service dog with a Veteran, and they also raised Gilbert. Though initially a service dog in training, he eventually became a beloved family member. Currently, details regarding Gilbert’s condition are not confirmed,” the nonprofit shared on Saturday following Hortman’s passing.

Koegel spoke with the Minnesota Star Tribune and mentioned that the House sergeant-at-arms notified members about Gilbert being euthanized. Hortman’s adult children issued a statement on Monday night, suggesting one way to honor their parents’ memory: “Pet a dog. While a golden retriever would be perfect, any breed is welcome.”

Vance Boelter, 57, was hit with multiple federal charges after officials captured him Sunday in what police described as the “largest manhunt” in the state’s history.

A mugshot of Minnesota lawmaker shooting suspect Vance Boelter in custody at Hennepin County Jail.  (Hennepin County Jail)

Police found him after the massive two-day manhunt in the woods near his home.

He is charged with two counts of stalking, two counts of murder and two counts of firearm-related crimes in federal court.

In addition to the federal charges, Boelter is facing second-degree murder charges filed in Hennepin County, where he is accused of killing former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, early Saturday morning at their Brooklyn Park home in Minneapolis, and of shooting State Sen. John Hoffman, also a Democrat, and his wife, Yvette, in their nearby Champlin home in a related attack.