Hundreds gather for candlelight vigil in honor of Melissa and Mark Hortman
Hundreds gather for candlelight vigil in honor of Melissa and Mark Hortman originally appeared on Bring Me The News.
A large crowd of mourners joined for an emotional candlelight vigil outside the State Capitol in honor of Melissa and Mark Hortman.
The Hortman family, Governor Tim Walz, and First Lady Gwen Walz, and Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan were among the estimated 1,500 who paid their respects to the couple, who were fatally shot in the early hours of Saturday morning at their home in Brooklyn Park.
Gov. Walz, who had described Melissa Hortman as "the dearest of friends," was visibly emotional as the crowd gathered in a circle around the memorial to the Hortmans that had sprung up outside the Capitol since the weekend.
There were also poignant performances from members of the Minnesota Orchestra and a Native American drum circle.
Their killings have shocked Minnesota and national politics, marking the first political assassination in state history. The suspect, Vance Boelter, has been described as a religious conservative with particularly strong anti-abortion opinions.
Melissa Hortman, the Speaker Emeritus at the time of her death, has been described as having a "formidable" presence in the Minnesota House, a smart and funny lawmaker with a determination to make Minnesota better.
Mark Hortman was remembered by their children, Sophie and Colin, in a Star Tribune article published Wednesday as they recounted their adventurous father who loved mountain biking and dad jokes.
This story was originally reported by Bring Me The News on Jun 19, 2025, where it first appeared.
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