US lawmaker Melissa Hortman broke down in tears hours before fatal Minnesota shooting: Watch viral video here

Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman's clip, which showed her clearly upset and emotional, went viral online, after the news of her passing.

Published on: Jun 16, 2025, 15:31:24 IST

By Shweta Kukreti

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Minnesota Representative Melissa Hortman, who was killed along with her husband in a “politically motivated” shooting on Saturday, appeared in a press conference just hours before the tragic incident.

Minnesota representative Melissa Hortman was shot dead in her home on Saturday. (AP)

The 57-year-old Democrat appeared in the media after supporting Republicans on Saturday to restrict access to healthcare for illegal immigrants. The clip from her address to the media has gone viral on social media, showing her breaking down in tears.

The former Minnesota House Speaker justified her contentious vote to support Republicans in restricting healthcare access for illegal immigrants in the touching video, saying: “I did what leaders do... I stepped up and I got the job done for the people of Minnesota.”

Also Read: Broken windows, shock, tributes: Photos show aftermath of Minnesota shooting as Rep Melissa Hortman, husband killed

Hortman's video went viral after her passing

Hortman was the sole Democrat to support the legislation. The clip, which showed her clearly upset, went viral online, after the news of her passing.

Authorities have determined that the killing of Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, was a deliberate assassination. John Hoffman, a state senator, and his spouse were also shot in Minnesota and are still in the hospital. The couple underwent surgery.

The shooter exchanged gunfire with cops and successfully fled out the Hortman property, according to Brooklyn Park Police Chief Mark Bruley.

The assailant was disguised as an officer, driving a car that looked like a police SUV with emergency lights.

Vance Boelter arrested

The FBI is offering assistance in the investigation, and Vance Boelter, 57, is the suspected gunman, has been taken into custody. He was reportedly lodging in a Minneapolis rental house owned by his longtime friend David Carlson.

Carlson, 59, claimed that Boelter texted him and another friend unsettling texts just before the incident, according to CNN affiliate KARE. Boelter allegedly said in the messages that he “may be dead shortly”.

According to David Carlson, Boelter had been battling unemployment and monetary issues. "He was looking around, but maybe things didn't work out and he just gave up and decided to go out in a blaze of glory," he said. “I have no idea what he was thinking.”

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Shweta Kukreti
Shweta Kukreti has over 8 years of experience in covering Indian and world politics. She joined the Hindustan Times in 2024 and is primarily assigned to the US desk. She currently works as Deputy Chief Content Producer and reports on a wide range of topics, including US politics, immigration issues (especially H-1B visa) and major global events. Shweta strongly emphasizes team operations, which encompasses monitoring news, delegating tasks, editing, developing comprehensive coverage strategies, and crafting engaging, and data-informed narratives. She received the Digi Star Award at the Hindustan Times within a year of joining for her broad coverage of US politics. In 2025, she earned both a promotion and a redesignation, a significant achievement recognising her contributions and the strong value she brings to the team. She has previously worked with the Indian Express, HTDS, ANI and Republic World. Seniors in all the media organisations recognised her work. Regarding education, she earned a BA (Hons.) in Political Science and a master's degree from Delhi University, and she pursued a PG Diploma in English Journalism from the Indian Institution of Mass Communication (IIMC). She also holds a diploma in Women's Empowerment and Development from IGNOU University and a French certification course from Alliance Française de Delhi. If not working, you can find her exploring the hills and engaging in adventurous activities in Rishikesh and Himachal Pradesh. She loves to play badminton, volleyball, and chess, and spend time with her friends and family. She also enjoys spiritual activities.Read More

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