Family Dog Gilbert Was Also Killed in Attack That Took Lives of Minn. Lawmaker and Her Husband, Friend Says Gilbert, the family dog of Minn. state Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark, had to be euthanized following Saturday's shooting June 16, 2025
Late Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman’s family dog was also shot and killed during Saturday’s assassination at the family’s home in Stillwater, Minn., PEOPLE has learned.
Emily Hill, a family friend and the wife of Minnesota State Rep. Josiah Hill, who worked with Hortman, told PEOPLE that the tragedy has been “just awful” for the family and their local community. The news that the Hortman’s golden retriever Gilbert also needed to be euthanized after getting shot during the attack just makes things worse, she said during an interview over the phone this weekend.
“It’s just awful,” Hill said. “[Melissa] loved dogs and volunteered with dog rescues.”
