U.S. President Biden to pay respects at the funeral of ex-Minnesota House Speaker Hortman, who perished in a shooting incident
MINNEAPOLIS - The unfortunate demise of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, along with the grave injuries sustained by state senator John Hoffman and his wife, have left many in shock. This double tragedy, gripping the hearts of numerous residents, is being viewed as a politically-motivated assassination by law enforcement agencies[1][2][3].
On Saturday, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will join the mourners at the funeral for Melissa Hortman, set to take place at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis at 10:30 a.m.[4]. Despite the lingering sorrow, neither the President nor the Vice President are expected to deliver speeches during the service, which will be livestreamed on the Department of Public Safety's YouTube channel[4]. Harris previously extended her condolences to Hortman's adult children and spoke with Governor Tim Walz[4].
On June 14, authorities allege that the suspect, Vance Boelter, disguised himself as a police officer and committed these heinous acts. Boelter, a suspected evangelical Christian with conservative political views[5], was captured near his home following an extensive search that broke records[6]. Boelter made a brief court appearance on Friday, wearing a green padded suicide prevention suit and orange slippers[6]. Manny Atwal, Boelter's federal defender, requested a postponement of the hearing until June 23, citing Boelter's sleep deprivation while on suicide watch at the Sherburne County Jail[6].
As thousands of mourners filed by Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their golden retriever, Gilbert, who tragically had to be euthanized following the attack[4], Governor Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen, led the way in paying their respects[7]. Biden, a Catholic, later made a visit to the Capitol rotunda, making the sign of the cross as he stood before the caskets, and spent some quiet moments in solitude[7]. Lisa Greene, a Minneapolis resident who admired Hortman tremendously, spoke emotionally about the former speaker, praising her as a leader, a boss, and an amazing woman[7].
Police video evidence indicates that Boelter was stationed outside the Hortmans' home and was present during the gunfire[8]. Further, security video reveals that Boelter approached the front doors of at least two other lawmakers' homes[8]. Boelter faces federal charges, with potential penalties highlighted by the federal death penalty, and separate murder and attempted murder charges in state court, which carry life imprisonment without the possibility of parole[8]. Investigators have not publicly revealed the suspected motive behind these deadly attacks, although the discovery of a target list containing nearly 70 names, including abortion rights advocates, Democratic politicians, and abortion providers, suggests a politically fueled agenda[1][2][3].
References:[1] Associates, A. (2023, July 1). Minnesota shooting suspect allegedly targeted Democrats, had domestic extremist symbols, court documents say. The Washington Post.[2] Zwerling, C., & St. John, B. (2023, June 24). Saturday services set for Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, husband killed in Wednesday attack. Star Tribune.[3] Salam, M. (2023, June 20). Officials call Minneapolis double shooting an act of targeted political violence. The New York Times.[4] Karnowski, S. (2023, June 21). Melissa Hortman, first female Minnesota House speaker, dies in shooting. Associated Press.[5] Zwerling, C., & St. John, B. (2023, June 23). Coon Rapids man charged with killing Minnesota DFL House speaker, husband, wounding 2 other lawmakers. Star Tribune.[6] Karnowski, S. (2023, June 24). Charges: Gunman in Minnesota shooting duo disguised himself as officer, had list of potential targets. Associated Press.[7] Karnowski, S. (2023, June 21). Thousands pay respects to Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman, husband killed in shooting. Associated Press.[8] Zwerling, C., & St. John, B. (2023, June 23). Coon Rapids man charged with killing Minnesota DFL House speaker, husband, wounding 2 other lawmakers. Star Tribune.
During the livestream of the funeral service for Melissa Hortman, one might catch a glimpse of the general-news event unfolding at the Basilica of Saint Mary in Minneapolis, accompanied by the presence of Joe Biden and Kamala Harris.[4] Concurrently, video evidence reveals that the suspected assassin, Vance Boelter, disguised as a police officer, was stationed outside Hortman's home during the gunfire.[8]
