Hundreds gather to remember prominent Minnesota lawmaker and husband fatally shot in their home
Share this @internewscast.com

Several hundred individuals, some with candles in hand or flowers to place by a memorial, came together outside Minnesota’s Capitol on Wednesday evening for a vigil honoring a well-known state lawmaker and her husband who were tragically shot at their residence.

With music from a brass quintet of the Minnesota Orchestra in the background, Governor Tim Walz shed tears and provided comfort to those who had come to pay their respects to former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her spouse, Mark, who were fatally shot early Saturday in the northern suburbs of Minneapolis.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz attend a candlelight vigil for former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen Walz attend a candlelight vigil for former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark.

AP Photo/Nikolas Liepins

Colin Hortman, the Hortmans’ son, embraced Walz and lay a photo of his parents on the memorial.

The memorial that emerged outside the Capitol in the aftermath of the killings includes an array of flowers, American flags, photographs, and sticky notes with messages like, “Thank you for always believing in me and in Minnesota” and “We got this from here. Thank you for everything.”

Wednesday’s vigil also included a Native American drum circle, a string quartet and the crowd singing “Amazing Grace.”

Around the gathering, there was a heavy police presence, with law enforcement blocking off streets leading up to the Capitol and state troopers standing guard.

The event didn’t include a speaking program and attendees were instructed not to bring signs of any kind.

The man charged in federal and state court with killing the Hortmans, Vance Boelter, is also accused of shooting another Democratic lawmaker, Sen. John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home a few miles away in Champlin. They survived and are recovering. Federal prosecutors have declined to speculate about a motive.

Boelter’s attorneys have declined to comment on the charges.

Hortman had served as the top House Democratic leader since 2017, and six years as speaker, starting in 2019. Under a power-sharing deal after the 2024 election left the House tied, her title became speaker emerita and Republican Rep. Lisa Demuth became speaker.

Walz has described Hortman as his closest political ally and “the most consequential Speaker in state history.”

The Hortmans were alumni of the University of Minnesota, which held a midday memorial gathering on the Minneapolis campus.

Rebecca Cunningham, the university’s president, spoke during the event about the grief and outrage people are grappling with along with questions about how things got to this point.

“I don’t have the answers to these questions but I know that finding answers starts with the coming together in community as we are today,” she said.

Funeral information for the Hortmans has not been announced.

Copyright © 2025 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
New Hampshire judge to hear arguments on class action against Trump’s birthright citizenship order

New Hampshire Court to Review Class Action Lawsuit Challenging Trump’s Order on Birthright Citizenship

A federal judge in New Hampshire is set to hear arguments on…
SBU Colonel Ivan Voronych, 50, was shot dead by a masked assassin in Kyiv

Putin Supporters Celebrate Bold Daytime Assassination of Ukrainian Spy Chief, Hint at Kremlin Involvement

VLADIMIR Putin’s associates have openly celebrated the bold assassination of the Ukrainian…
Karen Read asks Massachusetts court to throw out wrongful death lawsuit after murder acquittal

Karen Read Requests Massachusetts Court to Dismiss Wrongful Death Lawsuit Following Her Murder Acquittal

Karen Read, who was exonerated from murder charges last month concerning the…
Texas officials are trying to figure out who's really missing from the floods

Texas Authorities Seek to Identify True Missing Persons Amid Floods

This week in Texas, estimates indicate that 161 people are still missing…
Father and son drown in Lake Michigan during weekend family boating trip tragedy

Tragic Accident: Father and Son Drown in Lake Michigan During Family Boating Trip

A father and his son drowned in Lake Michigan over the weekend…
Jake Paul's message to Ben Askren after his former opponent's health scare

Jake Paul Sends Message to Ben Askren Following Health Scare

Jake Paul is praising former opponent Ben Askren as “one of the…
Photo of a Chinese citizen detained in Kyiv, Ukraine, for allegedly attempting to export classified documents.

Ukraine Detains Chinese Father and Son Accused of Spying on Long-Range Missile Program

A CHINESE dad and his son have been accused of attempting to…
Neighbors complain about bad smell near Pullman Innovations Chicago factory near Torrence Avenue; Alderman Peter Chico to address

Alderman Peter Chico to Address Complaints of Foul Odor Near Pullman Innovations Factory on Torrence Avenue

CHICAGO (WLS) — The South Deering community is demanding answers after what…
Photo of Darcy Deefholts.

Teen Surfer’s Dramatic Rescue: Swept 9 Miles Out to Sea and Stranded Overnight on Deserted Island

A 19-YEAR-OLD surfer was miraculously found alive and well after getting marooned…
Crockett said she 'broke down in tears' watching Alex Padilla get forcibly removed from press conference

Crockett Said Watching Alex Padilla Being Forced Out of Press Conference Made Her Cry

In a recent podcast interview, Rep. Jasmine Crockett of Texas expressed that…
Archaeologist unearths mysterious Christian settlement hidden away for centuries

Archaeologist Discovers Long-Lost Christian Settlement Hidden for Centuries

An archaeologist recently discovered what are likely the remains of a long-lost…
‘Love Island USA’ Star Zak Srakaew Says He Liked Amaya Espinal “More” After She Called Him An “Extremely” Odd Individual”: “I Lowkey Like A Little Bit Of Fire”

Zak Srakaew from ‘Love Island USA’ Admits He Grew More Fond of Amaya Espinal After Being Called an “Extremely” Odd Person: “I Secretly Enjoy a Bit of Spark”

Zak Srakaew came to the realization “too late” that Amaya Espinal was…