The late Melissa Hortman, her husband, and their pet golden retriever lie in state Friday at the state capitol building in St. Paul.
The doors of the capitol open for the somber ceremony at noon. There will be no service, but instead, the public has until 5:00 p.m. to walk past the caskets of the Hortman's, which will be in the capitol's ornate rotunda.
State Representative Zack Stephenson (DFL- Anoka) says they're expecting a lot of people to be there.
"We are expecting people, to, if there is a line and we expect that times there will be, that that line will be indoors," Stephenson explains. "So no, people will not be out. You know, it doesn't seem like it's gonna be a terrible day, but people will be waiting indoors in the capitol."
Because thousands are expected to gather at the state capitol, parking will be difficult and officials are suggesting those attending the ceremony to use public transportation to get there.
It's a somber event, no program or speakers. Stephenson says there will be places for people to leave flowers.
"Folks are welcome to bring flowers if they like," adds Stephenson. "There's a memorial outside on the capitol steps, which is a great place to leave flowers, and folks can also leave flowers at that memorial outside the chamber. Folks will not be able to leave flowers inside the rotunda."
Former Vice President Kamala Harris will fly to Minnesota for the funeral but won’t have a speaking role, according to her personal office. Harris expressed her condolences this past week to Hortman’s adult children, and spoke with Gov. Tim Walz, her 2024 running mate, who extended an invitation on behalf of the Hortman family, her office said.
Melissa Hortman, Mark Hortman, and their dog Gilbert were all shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park on June 14th. Another lawmaker, State Sen. John Hoffman of Champlin and his wife Yvette, were shot but recovering.
The man accused in the shooting, Vance Boelter, makes a federal court appearance Friday as well.
Funeral services for the Hortman's are private and take place Saturday starting at 10:30 a.m. The service is livestreamed and will be available via WCCORadio.com or on the Department of Public Safety's YouTube page.