Brooklyn Park, Minnesota – Early Saturday morning, Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark were fatally shot by a man impersonating a police officer. The authorities have identified 57-year-old Vance Boelter as the suspect believed to be responsible for the assassination.
On Monday, Helping Paws Inc., a Minnesota non-profit organization, announced the death of the Boelter’s dog, Gilbert, who sustained fatal injuries in the shooting. The group said:
It is with heavy hearts that we share the tragic news of Gilbert’s passing. We can confirm that he did not survive the attack at the Hortman family’s home early Saturday morning.
This is a profound loss for the entire Helping Paws community. We are mourning the loss of two dedicated volunteers and one of our beloved dogs who once trained in our program.
In a prior social media post, the organization said that Melissa Hortman, the former Speaker of the House, was also a beloved foster home trainer, writing:
Melissa served her community in more ways than one. She was a Helping Paws Foster Home Trainer, a neighbor, and a friend. The Hortman family raised and trained Minnie, who is now a working service dog partnered with a Veteran. They also helped raise and train Gilbert, a service dog in training who was eventually career changed and became a cherished member of their family.
Vance Boelter was apprehended on Sunday night after a massive manhunt. In court, Boelter said he could not afford an attorney, and requested a public defender. Boelter is also accused of shooting state Sen. John Hoffman (D) and his wife, Yvette; both survived and are expected to recover.
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