According to fellow lawmakers, the shooter responsible for the deaths of Minnesota Senator Melissa Hortman and her husband also killed their cherished rescue dog.
The former Democratic House Speaker, who was 55, and her 58-year-old husband, Mark, were reportedly shot early Saturday morning by a suspect named Vance Luther Boerter.
Boerter is also accused of shooting Gilbert, the family’s beloved golden retriever, at their home in Brooklyn Park.
Erin Kogel, a Minnesota House member since 2017, shared that one of the first things Hortman’s children had to do after the incident was say goodbye to Gilbert. This revelation was made public when she posted on X after learning about her parents’ tragic fate.
For years, Hortman had been involved with a local dog shelter called Help Paws, where she first met Gilbert.
The shelter posted a message on Facebook, featuring a 2022 photo of Hortman happily embracing Gilbert.
“Our hearts break for the loss of all life,” stated Animal Rescue in a message of condolence.
Boerter, a 57-year-old former appointee of Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, was apprehended early Sunday at a rural location, which marked the conclusion of what was described as “the biggest manhunt in state history.”
