The Post Millennial logo
CBS News logo
USA TODAY logo
20 articles
·5d

Vigil Held for Slain Minnesota Lawmaker Melissa Hortman and Husband Mark

Hundreds gathered at Minnesota's Capitol to honor Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were tragically murdered in their home, as investigations continue.


Overview

A summary of the key points of this story verified across multiple sources.

  • Hundreds attended a vigil at Minnesota's Capitol to honor Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were murdered in their home.
  • The vigil featured performances by a brass quintet from the Minnesota Orchestra and a Native American drum circle, creating a somber atmosphere.
  • Minnesota Governor Tim Walz comforted attendees, emphasizing Hortman's legacy as a significant political figure and ally.
  • Vance Boelter, charged with the murders, is also accused of shooting another lawmaker and his wife, highlighting ongoing concerns about political violence.
  • Colin Hortman, their son, placed a photo of his parents at the memorial, which included flowers, flags, and heartfelt messages from the community.

Content generated by AI—learn more or report issue.

Pano Newsletter

Get both sides in 5 minutes with our daily newsletter.

Analysis

Compare how each side frames the story — including which facts they emphasize or leave out.

Center-leaning sources frame the vigil as a solemn and respectful gathering, emphasizing community support and shared grief. They highlight emotional moments, such as Governor Walz's comforting presence, while maintaining a focus on the victims' significance. The coverage reflects a collective mourning, with an implicit bias towards honoring the deceased.

Hundreds gathered outside Minnesota's Capitol for a vigil to remember a prominent state lawmaker and her husband.

Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
NBC News logo
3 articles
100%

A vigil was held to remember former House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, who were killed early Saturday.

Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
NBC News logo
3 articles
100%

A brass quintet from the Minnesota Orchestra performed at the vigil.

Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
NBC News logo
3 articles
100%

Gov. Tim Walz comforted attendees by wiping away tears at the gathering.

Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
NBC News logo
3 articles
100%

The memorial is adorned with flowers, American flags, photos, and sticky notes containing messages and expressions of gratitude.

Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
NBC News logo
3 articles
100%

The vigil featured a Native American drum circle, a string quartet, and the crowd singing 'Amazing Grace.'

Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
NBC News logo
3 articles
100%

Vance Boelter is charged with killing the Hortmans and shooting another Democratic lawmaker and his wife, who survived.

Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
NBC News logo
3 articles
100%

Hortman, who served as the top House Democratic leader since 2017, was described as the most consequential Speaker in state history and Governor Walz's closest political ally.

Associated Press logo
ABC News logo
NBC News logo
3 articles
100%

Colin Hortman, the son of the Hortmans, embraced Walz and placed a photo of his parents on the memorial.

ABC News logo
NBC News logo
2 articles
100%

Law enforcement had a heavy presence around the gathering, blocking off streets.

ABC News logo
NBC News logo
2 articles
100%

Articles (20)

Compare how different news outlets are covering this story.

LeftCenterRight
MSNBC
The Guardian
NBC News
USA TODAY
USA TODAY
ABC News
CBS News
Associated Press
Reason
World News Group
FOX News
FOX News
FOX News
The Daily Wire
The Blaze
Newsmax
The Post Millennial
The Post Millennial
Breitbart News
RedState

"…Hundreds of people, some clutching candles or carrying flowers to lay in front of a memorial, gathered outside Minnesota's Capitol on Wednesday evening for a vigil to remember a prominent state lawmaker and her husband who were gunned down at their home."

Hundreds gather to remember prominent Minnesota lawmaker and husband slain in their home
NBC NewsNBC News·5d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The couple, which continues to receive medical care, said in the statement that they're "deeply grateful for those providers, for the first responders and for all those in law enforcement who worked so quickly, professionally and selflessly to safeguard others and to apprehend the shooter.""

Minnesota shooting victims John, Yvette Hoffman detail 'horrific night'
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·4d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The killings sent shockwaves nationwide, following in other high-profile incidents of violence aimed at public officials."

Police probe break-in at home of slain Minnesota lawmaker Melissa Hortman
USA TODAYUSA TODAY·6d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Hundreds of people, some clutching candles or carrying flowers to lay in front of a memorial, gathered outside Minnesota’s Capitol on Wednesday evening for a vigil to remember a prominent state lawmaker and her husband who were gunned down at their home."

Hundreds gather to remember slain Minnesota lawmaker and husband
ABC NewsABC News·5d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…Hundreds of people, some clutching candles or carrying flowers to lay in front of a memorial, gathered outside Minnesota’s Capitol on Wednesday evening for a vigil to remember a prominent state lawmaker and her husband who were gunned down at their home."

Hundreds gather to remember prominent Minnesota lawmaker and husband slain in their home
Associated PressAssociated Press·5d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…A person who commits an evil act—politically motivated or otherwise—does not speak for a party."

It doesn't matter if the Minnesota shooter is a Republican or a Democrat
ReasonReason·5d·
Center
This outlet is balanced or reflects centrist views.

"…The gunman who killed the Hortmans also attacked Hoffman and his wife, Yvette Hoffman, at their home."

What we know about the “radicalization” of Vance Boelter
World News GroupWorld News Group·5d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…The Times published the piece days after the deadly shootings that claimed the lives of Minnesota state legislator Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and resulted in the wounding of state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette, last weekend."

Despite two assassination attempts, NY Times blames Trump for 'angry culture' that can lead to violence
FOX NewsFOX News·4d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…The home of Minnesota Democratic Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was fatally shot in a targeted attack at their home in Brooklyn Park over the weekend, was broken into on Tuesday night, though a preliminary investigation found nothing appeared to be missing."

Murdered Democratic lawmaker's home broken into just days after fatal shooting
FOX NewsFOX News·6d·
Leans Right
This outlet slightly leans right.

"…The house had been boarded up since Sunday in the wake of the shocking double homicide."

Home of Murdered Minn. Lawmaker Hortman Broken Into
NewsmaxNewsmax·6d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…A Minnesota lobbyist has been arrested after allegedly sending a text message that threatened violence at the state Capitol."

Minnesota Dem lobbyist arrested for threatening violence at state Capitol
The Post MillennialThe Post Millennial·4d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…The home appeared to have been searched by an unknown individual; however, the family has indicated that they don’t believe anything is missing."

Break-in at home of assassinated Minnesota lawmaker: police
The Post MillennialThe Post Millennial·6d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

"…King used an X post to say: “Vance Boelter is clearly as nutty as a fruitcake. The real culprit is the gun he used."

Stephen King: 'Real Culprit' in Minnesota Political Shootings Was 'The Gun'
Breitbart NewsBreitbart News·4d·
Right
This outlet favors right-wing views.

FAQ

Dig deeper on this story with frequently asked questions.

Melissa Hortman was a Minnesota state lawmaker who served 11 terms since 2004, including as Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives from 2019 to 2025. She was known for her advocacy on climate, clean energy, abortion rights, and social policies.

Hortman was chief author of Minnesota's solar energy standard and community solar laws, helped expand abortion and transgender rights, and supported paid family leave, universal free school lunches, and childcare credits.

Hundreds gathered at Minnesota's Capitol for a vigil featuring a brass quintet and Native American drum circle. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz comforted attendees, highlighting Hortman's legacy. Their son placed a photo at the memorial surrounded by flowers and messages.

Vance Boelter is charged with the murders of Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. He is also accused of shooting another lawmaker and his wife, raising concerns about political violence.

As a longtime legislator and House Speaker, Hortman championed climate and clean energy policies, including solar energy standards, and was a key figure in expanding progressive social policies in Minnesota.

History

See how this story has evolved over time.

  • 5d
    NBC News logo
    ABC News logo
    Associated Press logo
    8 articles
  • 6d
    MSNBC logo
    FOX News logo
    The Post Millennial logo
    5 articles