Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark and their golden retriever Gilbert will lie in state at the Minnesota State Capitol on June 27 after they were killed in what officials have called a “politically motivated assassination.”
Hortman and her husband were shot and killed inside their home on June 14. After what has been described as the largest manhunt in Minnesota history, Vance Luther Boelter, 57, was arrested and charged in state and federal court in connection with the shooting.
Prosecutors say Boelter also went to the home of Minnesota Sen. John Hoffman disguised as a law enforcement officer and wounded Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. He then traveled to two other unnamed lawmakers' homes before entering the Hortmans' home and killing them, according to a federal affidavit.
The affidavit says Boelter wanted to “kill, injure, harass and intimidate'' more than 45 Minnesota state and federal officials and prosecutors say he also intended to target several other Midwestern lawmakers.
Hortman will be the first woman and one of less than 20 Minnesotans to lie in state at the Capitol, according to a release from the state's House of Representatives. Members of the public will be able to pay their respects from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m. local time.
