June 18 - Candlelight Vigil in Honor of Melissa and Mark Hortman

All the lights were turned on in the Capitol and the flag flying at half-staff as people gathered on the front lawn for a candlelight vigil to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman. The crowd of several hundred stood in silence as they listened to members of the Minnesota Orchestra and songs performed by the Red Lake Drum Group. The Hortman’s were murdered at their Brooklyn Park home by a gunman targeting Democrats on Saturday, June 14.

Sophie Hortman, right, in black dress, and her brother Colin, right over his sister’s shoulder, attend a candlelight vigil at the Capitol to honor their parents Melissa and Mark along with Gov. Tim Walz, left.

A man holds his candle to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman during a candlelight vigil at the Capitol.

A group of young girls hold their candles to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman during a candlelight vigil at the Capitol.

.A person gets a hug during the candlelight vigil to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman at the Capitol.

Colin Hortman leaves a candle at the memorial to his mother, Rep. Melissa Hortman, during the candlelight vigil to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman at the Capitol. Rep Hortman became Speaker of the House of Representatives and is the longest serving woman to be elected to that position.

Sophie Hortman, left, gets a hug and her brother, Colin, right, talks with a couple before leaving the candlelight vigil for their parents Melissa and Mark at the Capitol.

Gov. Tim Walz, center, and his wife, Gwen, left, pause to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman before leaving the candlelight vigil at the Capitol.

A person leaves flowers at a Capitol Memorial for Rep. Melissa Hortman during a candlelight vigil to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman at the Capitol.

The memorial in front of the Capitol is lit with candles as the sun begins to set on the candlelight vigil to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman.

Rep. Katie Jones is lit by the candle she brought to the candlelight vigil to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman at the Capitol.

Candles glow as dusk settles over the candlelight vigil to honor Melissa and Mark Hortman at the Capitol.