Former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, husband Mark, to lie in state with their dog, Gilbert, on Friday

Molly Guthrey, Pioneer Press on Jun 24, 2025

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ST. PAUL, Minn. — State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark Hortman, will lie in state on Friday in the Minnesota Capitol rotunda in St. Paul, along with their golden retriever, Gilbert.

Gov. Tim Walz announced on Tuesday that the rotunda will be open from noon to 5 p.m. for the public to pay their respects to the Hortmans, who were shot and killed at their Brooklyn Park home on June 14. Their dog, who was also gravely wounded in the shooting, later had to be euthanized because of his injuries.

The suspected assassin, who authorities say also shot and injured state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, in their home in Champlin, was apprehended and is now facing state and federal charges. He is also suspected of targeting two additional lawmakers.

A private funeral for the Hortmans will take place on Saturday at 10:30 a.m. A livestream will be available on the Minnesota Department of Public Safety’s YouTube channel.

Hortman will be the first woman to join the fewer than 20 Minnesotans who have lain in state at the Capitol, the governor’s announcement said.

Beginning with Civil War veteran William Colvill in 1905, 19 people have been honored in this way, including eight governors, four state legislators and several U.S. senators.

Among them are Gov. Floyd B. Olson, U.S. Sen. Frank B. Kellogg and former Vice President Hubert Humphrey. The last person to lie in state in the Capitol was Gov. Al Quie in 2023.

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