Sat Jun 28 07:20:00 UTC 2025: Okay, here’s a news article summarizing the provided text:
**Minnesota Mourns Slain Representative, Husband, and Beloved Dog Gilbert in Historic Capitol Honor**
**St. Paul, MN** – Minnesota is in mourning after the tragic deaths of State Representative Melissa Hortman, her husband Mark, and their golden retriever, Gilbert. All three were killed in a shooting at their home earlier this month, perpetrated by Vance Boelter, who authorities say also targeted another state lawmaker in a separate incident.
In an unprecedented move, all three were honored lying in state at the Minnesota Capitol on Friday. Representative Hortman is the first woman in state history to receive this honor. Mark is the first individual who wasn’t a public official or veteran. Gilbert the dog is the first animal to be given this distinction.
Governor Tim Walz authorized the inclusion of Gilbert in the state’s remembrance to recognize the Hortman family’s deep commitment to service dog training. Beginning in 2014, the family became involved with Helping Paws, a non-profit organization. Their daughter, Sophie, initially began to train Minnie, a Labrador retriever, as a school project. Minnie was eventually paired with a veteran suffering from chronic pain and PTSD. The family’s dedication to helping others through service animals is a testament to their character.
The shootings prompted a statewide manhunt and have sent shockwaves through the Minnesota legislature and community. The loss of Representative Hortman, her husband, and their beloved dog is deeply felt across the state.
First Piper 