Melissa Hortman, husband honored at Minneapolis funeral
Share this @internewscast.com

Slain Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were laid to rest Saturday — weeks after they were killed in what authorities allege was a politically motivated shooting spree.

The private ceremony took place at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis and drew hundreds of mourners, including former President Joe Biden, Vice President Kamala Harris, Gov. Tim Walz, and dozens of state lawmakers. More than 1,900 people tuned in to the livestream.

“Melissa Hortman will be remembered as the most consequential Speaker in Minnesota history,” Walz said during his eulogy. “Millions of Minnesotans get to live their lives better because she and Mark chose public service and politics.”

Hortman, 54, and her husband were gunned down June 10 inside their Brooklyn Park home by Vance Boelter, who was a political appointee of Walz, and allegedly targeted the Hortmans as part of a planned series of attacks on Democratic officials, prosecutors said. The couple’s golden retriever, Gilbert, was also shot and later euthanized.

The couple’s closed caskets sat side by side at the front of the church, draped in blankets. Every pew was filled. Soft music played as family, friends and colleagues prayed and wiped away tears.

The service began around 11:30 a.m. and included scripture readings, prayers and emotional tributes to the couple’s public service and devotion to their family.

During the blessing, the priest called Minnesota “a ground zero place for political violence and extremism,” referencing both the killing of George Floyd and the recent attacks on state officials.

“This can be a ground zero for restoration and justice and healing, but we must work together,” he said.

Roughly 90 minutes before the double murder, Boelter allegedly opened fire on state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, at their Champlin home just miles away. Both survived despite sustaining multiple gunshot wounds.

Boelter, 57, was arrested after a 36-hour manhunt — the largest in state history — and appeared in federal court Friday on two counts of murder, two counts of stalking and two weapons charges. Prosecutors say he could face the death penalty. A separate state trial could result in life without parole.

He remains in federal custody. 

His wife, Jenny, issued a statement Thursday offering condolences to the victims’ families and calling the killings “a betrayal of everything we hold true.”

Hortman was first elected to the Minnesota House in 2004 and served as Speaker for three terms. Her district included Brooklyn Park, Coon Rapids and Champlin.

She is among the highest-ranking elected officials to be killed in recent years — part of a troubling rise in political violence nationwide. The couple is survived by two adult children, Sophie, 28 and Colin, 30.

Share this @internewscast.com
You May Also Like
UVU Professor’s CIA Ties Vanish After Kirk Event

CIA Connections of UVU Professor Disappear Post-Kirk Event

A social media investigation has surfaced claims that a Utah Valley University…
Charlie Kirk assassination: Exclusive photos show path to campus rooftop weeks later as access scrutinized

Charlie Kirk Incident: New Photos Reveal Route to Campus Rooftop Amid Security Review

“Many campus police departments do not have drone programs, which poses a…
Carnival ride malfunction

Carnival Ride Malfunction Leaves Passengers Hanging at School Event: Watch the Video

A Carnival ride in California malfunctioned during a high school event, causing…
Class back in session as 'Abbott Elementary' returns for fifth season on ABC

“Abbott Elementary” Kicks Off Its Fifth Season on ABC

HOLLYWOOD — “Abbott Elementary” is getting ready for the start of its…
Portland police seek public's help after 'safe space' officer loses track of assault suspect near ICE facility

Portland Police Request Public Assistance After ‘Safe Space’ Officer Loses Assault Suspect Near ICE Facility

The police are asking for help from the public to locate a…
Michigan church shooter's romance history emerges as suspect's father apologizes to victims' families

Community of LDS Church Members Raises Over $140K for Family of Michigan Shooting Victim

Members associated with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints have…
Pope Leo XIV intervenes in US abortion debate, Chicago Cardinal Blase Cupich giving award to Illinois Senator Dick Durbin

Pope Leo XIV Weighs in on US Abortion Discussion as Chicago Cardinal Cupich Honors Senator Durbin

ROME — Pope Leo XIV has made his first intervention in an…
Chicago immigration enforcement: 4 in custody after federal agents raid shelter in Bronzeville, DHS officials say

Federal Agents Conduct Immigration Enforcement in Bronzeville, Four Detained

CHICAGO (WLS) — Federal agents made immigration arrests at a shelter in…
UNC professor on leave over ties to far-left gun club once headlined Harvard panel on armed activism

UNC Professor on Leave Over Far-Left Gun Club Links Previously Starred at Harvard Discussion on Armed Activism

The Trump administration announced it was freezing over $2 billion in grants…
Illegal immigrant tied to 17 rapes and deported 8 times, faces reinstated charges

Individual Deported Eight Times Faces Renewed Charges Linked to Multiple Assault Cases

An undocumented immigrant suspected of serial rape and linked to up to…
Chicago immigration raids: Family 'unlawfully' detained by ICE at Millennium Park now separated, court filing argues

Chicago Immigration Raid: Court Documents Allege Family Detained ‘Illegally’ by ICE at Millennium Park Now Divided

CHICAGO (WLS) — The National Immigrant Justice Center (NIJC) has taken legal…
Federal agents raid Dallas strip club, arrest 41 illegal immigrants in human trafficking investigation

Federal Agents Conduct Raid on Dallas Strip Club, Arrest 41 in Human Trafficking Probe

Federal agents lifted the veil at a Dallas strip club, apprehending dozens…