Fact Check: Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on Saturday morning, October 21, 2023.

Fact Check: "Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on Saturday morning, October 21, 2023."

What We Know

The claim that Democratic House Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, were shot and killed at their home in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, on October 21, 2023, is false. In fact, Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed on June 14, 2025, during a politically motivated assassination, as confirmed by multiple sources including Governor Tim Walz and reports from local news outlets (Bring Me The News, Star Tribune). The incident involved a suspect impersonating a police officer, who targeted multiple lawmakers, including State Senator John Hoffman, who was also shot but survived (KCRA, CBS News).

Analysis

The claim in question misrepresents the timeline and the events surrounding the tragic deaths of Melissa Hortman and her husband. According to Wikipedia, Melissa Hortman served as Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives until her death in 2025. The assertion that they were killed on October 21, 2023, is incorrect; they were not victims of a shooting until June 2025.

The sources confirming the actual events surrounding their deaths are credible and include official statements from law enforcement and government officials. Governor Tim Walz's remarks regarding the incident highlight the politically motivated nature of the attack, further corroborating the timeline of events (Bring Me The News, Star Tribune).

The misinformation appears to stem from a misunderstanding or misreporting of the timeline of events, as there were indeed targeted shootings involving lawmakers, but the specific claim about the date and circumstances of Hortman's death is inaccurate.

Conclusion

The claim that Melissa Hortman and her husband were shot and killed on October 21, 2023, is false. They were actually killed on June 14, 2025, in a politically motivated shooting. This misrepresentation of the facts can lead to confusion regarding the timeline of events and the nature of the tragedy that befell them.

Sources

1. Melissa Hortman
2. Speaker Emerita Melissa Hortman, husband killed in suspected assassination
3. Minnesota lawmakers targeted in overnight shootings
4. Reports: Minnesota Lawmakers Targeted in Suburban Shootings
5. Brooklyn Park police seek suspect in 'multiple targeted shootings'
6. Brooklyn Park News news - Today's latest updates
7. Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman & Sen. John Hoffman shot in targeted shootings
8. 2 Minnesota state lawmakers shot, both in grave condition