Minnesota lawmaker shot to death at home to lie in state at Capitol ahead of funeral
Context:
Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were killed in a politically motivated shooting, leading to their bodies lying in state at the Capitol before their funeral. The shooting also involved an attack on Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in a nearby location, while the Hortmans' dog, Gilbert, was fatally injured. Vance Boelter, the accused gunman, faces multiple state and federal charges, including two counts that could result in the death penalty. Authorities allege Boelter had a list of Democratic targets, indicating a broader plan of attack, although his longtime friend describes his actions as unexpected despite his known dislike for Democrats. Public respects can be paid to the Hortmans at the Capitol, and their private funeral will be streamed online, with Boelter's next court appearance coinciding with the lying in state ceremony.
Dive Deeper:
Melissa Hortman, a former Minnesota House Speaker, and her husband were shot dead in their home in Brooklyn Park in what authorities believe was politically motivated violence. Their bodies will lie in state at the Capitol, a rare honor, before their funeral.
The attack also injured another Democratic couple, Senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, who lived nearby, and resulted in the fatal injury of the Hortmans' dog, Gilbert.
Vance Boelter, the suspect, was arrested following a massive manhunt and is facing serious charges, including multiple counts of murder, with two federal charges potentially carrying the death penalty.
Boelter reportedly had a list of Democratic officials as targets, suggesting a premeditated plan to attack multiple individuals, though his actions came as a shock to those who knew him due to his known but non-threatening political views.
Public visitation for the Hortmans will occur at the Capitol, and their funeral will be privately held and accessible via livestream, while Boelter's legal proceedings continue with his next court date scheduled on the same day as the public lying in state.
Despite the gravity of the situation, Boelter's federal defenders have not commented on his case, and he remains incarcerated without yet entering a plea in court.
Governor Tim Walz announced the arrangements for the Hortmans' lying in state, underscoring the significant impact of their deaths on the state and its political community.