Slain Minnesota Lawmaker and Beloved Dog Lie in State, Drawing Hundreds

ST. PAUL, Minn. – In an unprecedented and poignant tribute, Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, along with their golden retriever, Gilbert, lay in state at the Capitol in St. Paul. Hundreds gathered to pay their respects to the couple, who were tragically shot and killed, an attack that also mortally wounded their beloved dog, Gilbert.

Gilbert, who was put down due to severe injuries sustained in the June 14 attack, is believed to be the first non-human to receive the honor of lying in state. His remains were placed in a gold-colored urn on a pedestal between the Hortmans’ caskets in the Capitol rotunda. Melissa Hortman, a former state House speaker and current leader of the chamber’s Democrats, is also noted as the first woman to be granted this honor in Minnesota.

The memorial outside the House chamber included touching tributes, such as a box of Milk-Bone dog biscuits with a note for “the best boy, Gilbert.” The dog, who had previously “flunked out” of service dog training because he was “too friendly,” had garnered a flood of online tributes since news broke of his involvement in the attack.

The accused assailant, Vance Boelter, faces charges related to the shootings, which also involved a prominent Democratic state senator and his wife. Volunteers from Helping Paws Inc., a nonprofit that trains service dogs, were present at the Capitol, offering comfort with their golden retrievers, acknowledging the Hortmans’ past role as foster parents for their training program.

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