The children of former Minnesota state president Emerita Melissa Hortman (D) and her husband Mark were tragically killed over the weekend. They shared their heartbreaking loss in a statement on Monday.
“We are devastated and heartbroken by the loss of our parents, Melissa and Mark. They were the bright light at the heart of our lives. I can’t believe they’re gone,” the statement read.
“Their love for us was endless. We miss them so much,” they added.
The couple, along with state Senator John Hoffman, were victims of a shooting incident involving a man impersonating a law enforcement officer on Saturday. Hoffman has since been hospitalized but is expected to survive following surgery.
This incident is being investigated as a “politically motivated” attack, with the FBI and the Department of Justice taking the lead in exploring the case.
The alleged gunman, Vance Belter, was arrested on Sunday and has been charged with stalking and murder at the state level, as well as facing federal charges later that week.
Additionally, a list of other potential targets, including lawmakers, was discovered in Belter’s vehicle.
“Our family would like to thank law enforcement for their prompt actions that saved others and for the community’s coordination leading to the arrest of the man who murdered our parents,” Hortman’s children expressed. “I especially want to thank the first officers at the scene for their heroic attempts to rescue my mother and father.”
“Our parents touched so many lives and leave behind a legacy of dedication to us, our friends, and our community,” they added in their statement.
Hortman worked alongside Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) during his time in the state legislature, as both were elected officials of the North Star Farmers’ Labour Party.
Walz condemned the attack, suggesting that Democratic lawmakers were being targeted amid a nationwide partisan divide. Leaders from both sides of the political spectrum have voiced their concern over this tragedy.
The children of the Hortmans reflected on their parents’ legacy, stating, “Hope and resilience are enemies of fear. Our parents lived with immense devotion to others. This tragedy must be the moment when we come together. Stay close to your loved ones,” they urged, adding, “Show kindness and respect to one another.”
“We believe the best way to honor their memories is to do something, big or small, to make our community a little better for someone else,” they concluded.
