Brooklyn Park has been left in shock after a terrifying shooting involving two Minnesota state lawmakers and their spouses. The attack happened near the Edinburgh Golf Course, where someone posing as a police officer opened fire on the victims. According to reports, Senator John Hoffman and Representative Melissa Hortman, both members of the Democratic-Farmer-Labor party, were shot inside their home on June 19.
Fox 9 reporter Karen Scullin wrote on X:
“BREAKING: Sources telling me two state lawmakers and their spouses were shot overnight by someone impersonating a police officer. Manhunt underway in the Brooklyn Park area. Sen. John Hoffman and Rep Melissa Hortman.”
Hortman served as minority leader from 2017 to 2019, and as speaker from 2019 until 2025.
While Melissa and her husband, Mark Hortman, were killed at the scene, Senator Hoffman and his wife remain hospitalized.
With so much attention on the incident, many are now looking to learn more about Melissa’s late hubby, Mark, and their children.
Melissa Hortman’s Husband, Mark Hortman, Was a Program Manager
Melissa and her husband, Mark Hortman, were married for decades, having tied the knot back on August 13, 1993.
The two shared a strong bond, often capturing their moments together on social media. In August 2024, less than a year before the tragedy, Melissa celebrated their 31st wedding anniversary with a sweet post on Facebook, writing:
“Happy 31st Anniversary, Mark Hortman! 🎉 Isn’t it romantic to mow the grass & wait for primary results? So glad to be together, whether we’re chasing waterfalls in Scotland or right here on the couch.”
At the time of the shooting, Melissa was 55 and Mark was 58.
Mark, originally from Raleigh, North Carolina, spent most of his professional life in program management. He worked as a program manager at nVent from 2021 until his passing.
Outside of his main role, Mark also ran his own business, Avatar Solutions LLC, and held leadership positions at several other companies over the years. His career included time as a plant manager at LKQ Corporation, a contractor-program manager at ThreeBridge Solutions, and multiple managerial roles during his six years at Digital River.
Mark earned his bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and later completed his MBA at the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of Management.
Their Children, Sophia and Colin
Melissa and her spouse, Mark Hortman, raised two children together: a daughter, Sophia Hortman, born in March 1997, and a son, Colin Hortman, born in March 1995.
Sophia, 28, attended the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. She now works as an upper adolescent literature guide at Great River School in St. Paul, helping students through their academic paths.
Colin, 30, on the other hand, previously worked as a resident assistant at Stevenson College. He currently holds a senior IT analyst and programmer position at the Mayo Clinic.
