Former President Biden Honors Slain Minnesota Legislator, Visits Injured Colleague
Former President Biden Honors Slain Minnesota Legislator, Visits Injured Colleague
Former President Joe Biden was in Minnesota this Friday and Saturday, paying solemn respects to State Rep. Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their dog Gilbert, who were tragically killed in a politically-motivated attack earlier this month. The former president joined hundreds at the Capitol in St. Paul on Friday for the couple’s lie-in-state, ahead of their funeral on Saturday.
Biden was seen at the Capitol at approximately 4:20 p.m. on Friday, approaching the memorial for the Hortmans. He paused at the caskets of Melissa and Mark, and an urn for Gilbert, offering a sign of the cross and a moment of reflection before departing. He briefly engaged with emotional attendees upon his exit.
Prior to his appearance at the Capitol, Former President Biden visited State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at a Twin Cities hospital on Friday. The Hoffmans were also gravely injured in the same shooting incident at their Champlin home. Sen. Hoffman was shot nine times, while Yvette Hoffman sustained eight gunshot wounds.
Yvette Hoffman provided an update on her husband’s condition, stating, “John’s condition continues to improve. He is alert, he’s been up walking around and is able to eat. He’s also giving the State Troopers guarding him some grief.” She also shared a photo with the former president from the hospital visit.
Among other dignitaries paying their respects were Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and First Lady Gwen Walz, who were among the first to attend the public viewing. The events underscore a community in mourning and the national attention drawn to the recent violence.
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