People in Minnesota say goodbye to slain lawmaker Melissa Hortman and husband : NPR
The Minnesota legislative killed Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark will be buried on Saturday while the public is still struggling with the consequences of the political assassination shocking a few weeks ago.
Ari Shapiro, host:
The people of Minnesota have the chance to say goodbye to the legislative Melissa Hortman. She and her husband, Mark, were lying in the state today at the Capitol of Minnesota, where she had been a political force. They were killed at their home on June 14 by a man who, according to the authorities, brought a police officer. He is now accused of murder. The attack shocked the nation. In his country of origin, Hortman was known as an eminent democrat with a earth-to-terre style. Peter Cox, from Minnesota Public Radio, was at the Capitol and we join us now. Hi, Peter.
Peter Cox, byline: Hi, Ari.
Shapiro: Tell us what the scene looked like today.
COX: So, a line of several hundred people spread through the Capitol, at the bottom of the front and around the block throughout the day for the event. In the main rotunda, behind velvet strings, were the two wooden coffins of Melissa and Mark Hortman and between them an urn with the remains of their Golden Retriever Gilbert, who was also killed in the attack. The state police officers held custody on the sides of the coffins, and two Golden Retriever service dogs were seated on each side of the rotunda. People passed, and they stopped a moment of silence in front of the coffins, notably the former president Joe Biden, the governor of Minnesota Tim Walz and many other state dignitaries on both sides of the aisle.
Shapiro: Speaking to these people online, what did they say about their reasons to come?
Cox: Well, I met Devic Richter, 23, who led 3 1/2 hours to be here. Two years ago, he said, he came to the Capitol of the just state to see him, and he met Melissa Hortman.
Devic Richter: I was walking, and she just walked towards me and asked me if she could tour me, and she was on her – she was on a break or something. So it was so sweet and authentic and honestly made me more interested in politics.
Cox: Richter says that she spent 20 minutes showing it, and it was enough to give her the impression that he had to pay the will to pay tribute. People came from the whole state and the country. I met a woman from Florida who was in town for the business who said that she was so shocked by what had happened that she felt that she had to be here.
Shapiro: I’m sure there was a shock through the state. Can you tell us more about the reaction to murder and its consequences?
Cox: Yes, I met a lot of people outside who came not only – not because they knew the Hortmans but just to show their support and pay tribute to them. Lara Anderson took the working day just to come and see the Hortmans lying in condition.
Lara Anderson: There was a time when Democrats and Republicans could sit together in a room and get along and talk about their different opinions, and that no longer feels that. It’s so divided. And obviously, assuming this is politically motivated, it brings it to the next level.
COX: Now the shots have put politicians on board here. The Capitol of the State of Minnesota is historically completely open to the public, but legislators say they are now looking to strengthen security there. In another stage of security, the government of the State has removed the addresses of politicians from state files.
Shapiro: The man accused of having killed the Hortmans also shot another legislator and his wife that evening. They are recovered. He was in court today. What is the last of his case?
Cox: Yes, Vance Boelter, who faces accusations of murder, made a brief appearance before the Federal Court this morning by asking to be withdrawn from suicide watch. He said he was not suicidal. And he and his lawyer asked for a procedural hearing that was to perform today to be postponed next week. The judge granted this. I will note, however, back to the Capitol, several people said that they came not only to show respect, but to oppose political violence.
Shapiro: It’s Peter Cox from Minnesota public radio. THANKS.
Cox: You are welcome.
Copyright © 2025 NPR. All rights reserved. Visit the pages of use of the conditions of use of our website on www.npr.org for more information.
The accuracy and availability of NPR transcriptions may vary. The transcription text can be revised to correct errors or match audio updates. Audio on npr.org can be published after its original broadcast or publication. The file authorizing the NPR programming is the audio recording.
