Latest news with #ColinHortman
The Herald Scotland
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Herald Scotland
Vigil held to remember Minnesota politician and husband shot dead at home
Colin Hortman, the Hortmans' son, embraced Mr Walz and laid a photo of his parents on a memorial. The memorial, which sprang up outside the Capitol after the killings, features flowers, American flags, photos and sticky notes with such messages as 'Thank you for always believing in me and in Minnesota' and 'We got this from here. Thank you for everything'. Colin Hortman (right) attends a candlelight vigil for his parents (Nikolas Liepins/AP/PA) The 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 did not include any speeches and attendees were instructed not to bring signs of any kind. Vance Boelter, the man charged in federal and state court with killing the Hortmans, is also accused of shooting another Democratic lawmaker, Senator John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home a few miles away in Champlin. They survived and are recovering. Boelter's attorneys have declined to comment on the charges. Mrs Hortman had served as the top House Democratic leader since 2017, and six years as speaker, starting in 2019. Melissa Hortman was killed on Saturday (Nikolas Liepins/AP/PA) Under a power-sharing deal after the 2024 election left the House tied, her title became speaker emerita and Republican representative Lisa Demuth became speaker. Mr Walz has described her 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 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 yet been announced.
BreakingNews.ie
3 hours ago
- Politics
- BreakingNews.ie
Vigil held to remember Minnesota politician and husband shot dead at home
Hundreds of people gathered outside Minnesota's Capitol on Wednesday evening for a vigil to remember a prominent state lawmaker and her husband who were gunned down at their home. As a brass quintet from the Minnesota Orchestra played, Governor Tim Walz wiped away tears and comforted attendees at the gathering for former House speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were killed early on Saturday in the northern Minneapolis suburbs. Advertisement Colin Hortman, the Hortmans' son, embraced Mr Walz and laid a photo of his parents on a memorial. The memorial, which sprang up outside the Capitol after the killings, features flowers, American flags, photos and sticky notes with such messages as 'Thank you for always believing in me and in Minnesota' and 'We got this from here. Thank you for everything'. Colin Hortman (right) attends a candlelight vigil for his parents (Nikolas Liepins/AP/PA) The 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. Advertisement The event did not include any speeches and attendees were instructed not to bring signs of any kind. Vance Boelter, the man charged in federal and state court with killing the Hortmans, is also accused of shooting another Democratic lawmaker, Senator John Hoffman, and his wife, Yvette, at their home a few miles away in Champlin. They survived and are recovering. Boelter's attorneys have declined to comment on the charges. Mrs Hortman had served as the top House Democratic leader since 2017, and six years as speaker, starting in 2019. Advertisement Melissa Hortman was killed on Saturday (Nikolas Liepins/AP/PA) Under a power-sharing deal after the 2024 election left the House tied, her title became speaker emerita and Republican representative Lisa Demuth became speaker. Mr Walz has described her 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 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. Advertisement '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 yet been announced.
The Independent
6 hours ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Photos of candlelight vigil honoring slain Minnesota lawmaker and her husband
Hundreds gathered outside Minnesota's Capitol for a candlelight vigil honoring former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were fatally shot at their home. Governor Tim Walz, visibly moved, comforted mourners as the couple's son, Colin, placed a photo of his parents at a growing memorial filled with flowers, flags and heartfelt messages. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
Associated Press
6 hours ago
- Politics
- Associated Press
Photos of candlelight vigil honoring slain Minnesota lawmaker and her husband
ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — Hundreds gathered outside Minnesota's Capitol for a candlelight vigil honoring former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were fatally shot at their home. Governor Tim Walz, visibly moved, comforted mourners as the couple's son, Colin, placed a photo of his parents at a growing memorial filled with flowers, flags and heartfelt messages. ___ This is a photo gallery curated by AP photo editors.
CBS News
10 hours ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Mark Hortman remembered by friends, family as "dynamic" father
Friends and family are remembering Mark Hortman as someone who lived life to the fullest. Mark Hortman was killed early Saturday morning along with his wife, state Rep. Melissa Hortman, in a shooting that Gov. Tim Walz called a"political assassination." Mark and Melissa Hortman married more than 30 years ago after meeting at a mentorship event in Washington D.C. The couple enjoyed spending time with their kids, Colin and Sophie, as well as their dog, Gilbert. Together they hiked, snowshoed and traveled. "Mark was as dynamic as she was. We miss him as much as we miss her," said Harry Haluptzok, Melissa Hortman's father. "They're a two-some, they're a pair. In a way, they're together forever, I guess," said Linda Haluptzok, Melissa Hortman's mother. A makeshift memorial to state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, is seen at the Minnesota State Capitol building on June 16, 2025 in St. Paul. Steven Garcia / Getty Images Melissa Hortman's demanding lawmaker schedule allowed Mark Hortman to explore a variety of hobbies. "He would build things, metal projects, he was a diver, he took up pool," said Harry Haluptzok. At CR's Sports Bar in Coon Rapids, Mark Hortman was co-captain of his team's pool league. The pool hall was packed for the Monday league night as they played for the first time without him and honored his life with a few words and a moment of silence. "Mark was very competitive, and he was on a competitive team," said Jerry Johnson. In Mark Hortman's memory, his Monday night pool league raised over $3,000 for the Hortman's children. Many of his teammates and fellow players will be attending Wednesday's candlelight vigil at the State Capitol. The suspect in the Hortmans' shooting, Vance Boelter, was taken into custody following a 40-hour search that authorities called the largest manhunt in state history. He is also accused of wounding state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Boelter faces two counts of second-degree murder and two counts of second-degree attempted murder in state court, and also faces six charges in federal court, including stalking and murder.
