Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark died in a targeted shooting over the weekend.
In what is being described as a targeted assassination, the children of Melissa and Mark Hortman have issued a statement to the public following the tragic deaths of their parents in Brooklyn Park, Minn.
Melissa Hortman, who had been a member of the legislature since 2005 and a mother of two, was in her 11th term when she and her husband Mark were killed in the early hours of Saturday. Another lawmaker and his spouse were also shot in the incident but managed to survive. The suspect in the shootings has been apprehended and is facing charges.
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The Hortmans’ children, Sophie and Colin, released a statement to the public in response to the public outpouring of support and grief.
The children said they are both safe and with loved ones, and that they miss their parents very much.
The Hortman children expressed the profound impact their parents had on countless individuals and emphasized the enduring legacy of community service that will continue through those who were touched by their lives – including family, friends, colleagues, and the broader community.
Sophie and Colin shared a list of things people can consider to honor their parents’ memories:
- 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 children thanked law enforcement for their swift action that saved others. They also said “Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear.”
“Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”
Sophie and Colin say their family appreciates privacy as they grieve.
“We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our parents, Melissa and Mark. They were the bright lights at the center of our lives, and we can’t believe they are gone. Their love for us was boundless. We miss them so much.
“We want everyone to know that we are both safe and with loved ones. We are grateful for the outpouring of love and support we have received, and we appreciate your respect for our family’s privacy as we grieve.
“Our family would like to thank law enforcement for their swift action that saved others and for the coordination across communities that led to the arrest of the man who murdered our parents. We especially would like to thank the officers who were first on the scene to our parents’ home and their heroic attempts to rescue our mom and dad.
“Our parents touched so many lives, and they leave behind an incredible legacy of dedication to their community that will live on in us, their friends, their colleagues and co-workers, and every single person who knew and loved them.
“If you would like to honor the memory of Mark and Melissa, please consider the following:
- 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.
“Hope and resilience are the enemy of fear. Our parents lived their lives with immense dedication to their fellow humans. This tragedy must become a moment for us to come together. Hold your loved ones a little closer. Love your neighbors. Treat each other with kindness and respect. The best way to honor our parents’ memory is to do something, whether big or small, to make our community just a little better for someone else.”
