Rep. Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman and dog Gilbert lie in state at Capitol

ST. PAUL, Minn. (FOX 9) - Thousands of people, including former President Biden, went to the Minnesota Capitol Friday to mourn Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, her husband, Mark, and their dog, Gilbert.

They laid in state two weeks after an assassin killed them and also shot Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Whether visitors were in politics or not, whether they knew the Hortmans or not, grief set in for thousands of people two weeks ago Saturday.

The Hortmans had a lie in state at the Capitol Friday ahead of their Saturday funeral service. Melissa and Mark Hortman were fatally shot at their Brooklyn Park home earlier this month in a politically-motivated attack. Gilbert was also wounded, and did not survive his injuries.

Rep. Hortman is the first woman, and one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans, to lie in state at the Minnesota State Capitol in St. Paul, according to the governor's office. 

Biden pays respects

What we know:

After a hospital visit with John and Yvette Hoffman, former President Joe Biden also visited the lie in state memorial to pay respects to the Hortman family. 

Biden checked on the dog Honor Guard before walking to the caskets and kneeling. 

Biden walked into the Capitol at about 4:20 p.m., slowly walked up to the lie in state memorial for the Hortman family and stopped at the caskets for Melissa and Mark Hortman, and Gilbert. He did a sign of the cross, paused for some reflection and slowly walked away. As he exited, he engaged in conversation with three women who were all overcome with emotion. 

First attendees appeared at 6 a.m.

Why you should care:

Friday was the public’s chance to pay their respects and start finding ways to move forward that honor the Hortmans. As a long line of mourners waited for the doors of the Capitol to open, the early birds got a surprise visit.

"I've heard you've been out here since 6 in the morning," Colin Hortman said to the first man in line. Colin and Sophie Hortman greeted the crowd before they walked in to pay respects.

"Pass it on back in front that I am literally here hugging every person," Colin said. 

"We love you," cried some of the mourners in line.

"We love you, too," Colin replied.

"Mark and Melissa raised two amazing, amazing kids," said Rep. Brad Tabke, (DFL-Shakopee).

Legislators and family members took the first turn through the Capitol rotunda, viewing the caskets for Melissa and Mark Hortman in the middle of ferns and flowers, and by their side again, Gilbert’s urn.

"It's extremely emotional in there," Rep. Tabke said. "But it's beautiful and fitting for who she was as a leader and just the amazing, incredible work that she's done for every single person in our state."

They came by the thousands from all over the state for the public viewing, honoring a leader they respected, and struggling with grief over the couple’s shocking end. 

"And that's part of the reason I'm here, is to be in the moment and feel that it's real, that this really happened," said Allie Wolf, who drove two hours from Spring Valley.

Brooklyn Park police and fire departments provided the Honor guard for the Hortmans and Helping Paws provided one for Gilbert.

Gov. Tim Walz, Gwen Walz pay respects

Why you should care:

Gov. Tim Walz and his wife Gwen made a quick visit, too, carrying a heavy sorrow.

But hugs carried the day — for the younger Hortmans and the legislators who have to move on without their leader.

"Melissa taught us all the skills, like here in the legislature, she taught us what we needed to know to move forward," Rep. Tabke said. "We weren't supposed to do anything with that yet, because she had a lot of stuff she wanted to get done still. But she gave us the tools, and she gave her kids, she and Mark gave her the tools for going forward with love and kindness and respect."

This is the 20th time someone has laid in state in Minnesota.

Melissa Hortman is the first woman to have that honor.

The Hortmans’ private funeral services are Saturday and Fox 9 has confirmed that both Former President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris will be in attendance, although they won’t speak.

Nearly every legislator in the state will also be there.

Dogs honoring Gilbert

There was also a Dog Honor guard on hand on Friday, with 12 golden retriever service dogs from Helping Paws rotating to make sure Gilbert has two dogs standing guard throughout the day.

How you can remember the Hortmans

What you can do:

The Hortmans' children have shared seven ways people can honor their parents: 

• Plant a tree.
• Visit a local park and make use of their amenities, especially a bike trail.
• Pet a dog. A golden retriever is ideal, but any will do.
• Tell your loved ones a cheesy dad joke and laugh about it.
• Bake something — bread for Mark or a cake for Melissa, and share it with someone.
• Try a new hobby and enjoy learning something.
• Stand up for what you believe in, especially if that thing is justice and peace.

The backstory:

The Hortmans were fatally shot in a targeted shooting on the morning of June 14 at their Brooklyn Park home. Their dog, Gilbert, was gravely injured in the shooting and was ultimately euthanized. 

The alleged gunman also shot and injured state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette at their Champlin home. Federal and state charges have been filed in connection with the shootings. 

You can watch full coverage of Saturday’s funeral on FOX 9.

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