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Hundreds gathered on the Capitol steps in St. Paul, Minnesota on Wednesday, June 18, to remember Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark. They were gunned down in what’s being called a political assassination on Saturday, June 14.
The vigil came just hours after police said someone broke into the Hortmans’ home.
A community in mourning
Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and his wife, Gwen, were among the attendees at the gathering, which drew hundreds of people. In recent days, Walz described Hortman as his closest political ally and “the most consequential Speaker in state history.”
A brass quintet from the Minnesota Orchestra played at the vigil. There was also a Native American drum circle and the crowd sang “Amazing Grace.” Flowers, flags and handwritten notes now cover the state capitol building’s steps.
There was a heavy law enforcement presence around the gathering. Law enforcement blocked off streets leading up to the Capitol and state troopers stood guard.
Break-in at the Hortman home
Brooklyn Park police said someone pried the plywood off a back window at the Hortmans’ home and shattered it sometime between Tuesday night, June 17, and Wednesday morning.
The home had been boarded up since Sunday, June 15, after crime scene investigators finished processing the scene and family members had removed all valuable items from inside. Police say nothing was taken during the break-in.
Neighbors have expressed outrage over the intrusion.
“Whoever it was that broke in has no respect for the deceased couple that lived here,” Geoff Olinyk told CBS News. “It’s a horrible deal that people would come now and desecrate their memory by breaking into the house.”
“It’s just very disturbing to know that someone would want to break into a house after a tragedy like this,” neighbor Sarah Abuisnaineh added.
What we know about the shooting
The man accused in the deadly shooting, Vance Boelter, 57, was taken into custody Sunday night after a 36-hour manhunt. He’s facing federal and state murder charges.
Boelter is also accused of shooting and seriously wounding Democratic Minnesota state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife Yvette inside their Champlin home about an hour before killing the Hortmans.
More lawmakers targeted
Authorities also believe Boelter visited the homes of two other state lawmakers that same morning.
On Monday, Jun 16, state Sen. Ann Rest said she had been targeted while at home, but Boelter was reportedly scared off by a police officer before approaching the residence. On Wednesday, state Rep. Kristen Bahner also confirmed she had been targeted on Saturday but was not at home at the time.
Investigators say Boelter had compiled a list of more than 45 elected officials. Both state and federal law enforcement sources told ABC News the list included Gov. Tim Walz, U.S. Rep. Ilhan Omar, U.S. Sen. Tina Smith and state Attorney General Keith Ellison, along with several politicians outside Minnesota.
