Tens of thousands of mourners packed a Basilica of Minneapolis on Saturday to present their final respects to the state representative of Minnesota, Melissa Hortman, and her husband, Mark, who were killed at home two weeks ago in an alleged politically motivated shooting.
Who is who of the leaders throughout the country, including former President Joe Biden and former vice president Kamala Harris attended the Catholic Mass where many of the couple’s friends, colleagues and relatives of the couple reflected on their years of service and friendship.
The photos of Mark and Melissa Hortman are installed within the sanctuary in the Basilica of St. Mary’s during the funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 28, 2025.
Alex Kormann/Star Tribune through AP, Pool
The couple and their dog Gilbert was shot at home during the early hours of June 14, an armed man who according to the investigators were attacking the Democratic legislators. The suspect had shot and injured state senator John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, a few hours earlier at home.
The governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, directed the praise and honored Melissa Hortman for his years of work in the state’s house, calling her “the most consistent speaker in the history of Minnesota.”
The mourners see the coffins of Melissa and Mark Horman when entering the basilica of St. Mary before the funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 28, 2025.
Alex Kormann/Star Tribune through AP, Pool
“I know that millions of minnesotanos have lived their lives better due to Melissa and Mark,” he said.
Melissa Hortman was chosen for the state office in 2004 and increased in the ranks, becoming a minority leader in 2017 and then the House Speaker two years later.
“He saw humanity in each person he worked with,” Walz said. “His mission was to do so much well for as many people as possible.”
Alina Bachman, Colin Hortman and Governor Tim Walz are behind the coffins of Melissa and Mark Hortman during the funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman in the basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, on June 28, 2025.
Alex Kormann, Pool through Reuters
Hortman and her husband were married for 31 years. Mark Hortman worked as Programs Manager for NVVE Electric, a company specialized in electronics, particularly green electronics, according to its Facebook and LinkedIn pages. The couple had two children, Sophie and Colin.
Walz talked about the warmth and dedication of the couple to their children and dogs.
“You are incredible reflections of Mark and Melissa,” he told your children.
One day before the funeral, hortmans lay in the state when thousands of minnesotae visited to present their respects. Melissa Hortman is the first woman in the history of Minnesota in being in the state, according to the State Representatives Chamber.
The coffins of Melissa and Mark Hortman sit at the back of the sanctuary before the funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman in the basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 28, 2025.
Alex Kormann/Star Tribune through AP, Pool
Next to the Hortmans were his dog Gilbert, who was injured in the attack and then had to be sacrificed, authorities said.
Vance Boelter was arrested a day after the murder and accused in his death along with the shooting of Hoffman and his wife earlier at night.
The Hoffmans survived the shooting and are recovering.
Biden visited the state senator and his wife at the hospital on Friday and met with his daughter, a Hoffman representative told ABC News.
“John’s status continues to improve. He is alert, he has been walking and is able to eat. He is also giving the state soldiers who monitor him,” said Yvette Hoffman, according to the representative.
Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison, Tom Weber, Lieutenant Governor Peggy Flanagan, former governor of Minnesota Mark Dayton, former vice president Kamala Harris, former president Joe Biden, Gwen Walz and Governor of Minnesota, Tim Walz, attend the funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman in Basilica de St. In Minneapolis, 28, 28, 2025.
Alex Kormann, Pool through Reuters
The suspect allegedly appeared to the houses of the legislators, passes through a police officer and wearing a realistic -looking latex mask to carry out their “political murders,” prosecutors said.
The investigators recovered a list of approximately 45 elected officials in their car’s notebooks, according to prosecutors.
Former President Joe Biden kneel in prayer during funeral services for Mark and Melissa Hortman in the basilica of St. Mary in Minneapolis, Minnesota, on June 28, 2025.
Alex Kormann, Pool through Reuters
Walz pointed out on Saturday the growing political violence and tension in the country, urging Americans to “examine the way we work together, the way we talk about each other, the way we fight for the things we care about.”
“But let’s not do it because of the way Mark and Melissa died. Let’s do it for the way they lived and the way they led,” he said.
ABC News’ Emily Shapiro and Mark Guarino contributed to this report.
