From the wooden dais in the Minnesota House, then-Speaker Melissa Hortman presided two years ago over what many called the most consequential legislative session in recent history. She helped orchestrate the passage of long-held Democratic goals: increased education spending,

Selfless, humble and full of grit -- that was the Melissa Hortman that Minnesota lawmakers grew to love over two decades in the statehouse.

The recent shootings of two Minnesota lawmakers have left the community shaken, sparking urgent talks about enhancing safety measures at the Capitol amid rising threats to officials.

Democratic House Speaker Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, lost their life in a fatal shooting in their home in the northern Minneapolis suburbs.

The children of Melissa Hortman and her husband Mark Hortman are speaking out on their parents' murders. “They were the bright lights at the center of our lives, and we can’t believe they are gone," Sophie and Colin Hortman wrote in a statement obtained by PEOPLE Monday.

Sophie and Colin Hortman released the following statement on behalf of the Hortman family: “We are devastated and heartbroken at the loss of our parents, Melissa and Mark. They were the bright lights at the center of our lives, and we can’t believe they are gone. Their love for us was boundless. We miss them so much.”

Melissa and Mark Hortman served their community in many ways, including training dogs to be service animals for people in need.

Tributes are pouring in on social media calling Mark an avid pool player on a house league in Coon Rapids. Minnesotans who worked with him call him kind and generous.