Melissa Hortman, a Minnesota lawmaker who was gunned down in what is described as a politically motivated attack, earned degrees at Boston University and Harvard.

Investigators found a cowboy hat near the vehicle and were working to determine whether it belongs to Boelter.

A dedicated volunteer who taught Sunday school and loved dogs. A lawyer who served as a Girl Scout Leader and worked at her dad’s auto parts store. A mother and wife whose husband was killed alongside her.

A suspect is in custody after Minnesota State Rep. Melissa Hortman and her husband were fatally shot Saturday, while State Sen. John Hoffman and his wife were wounded.

Before Minnesota state Rep. Melissa Hortman became a nationally recognized figure following her fatal shooting death alongside her husband Saturday morning — an act public officials have called an act

In an interview with PEOPLE, Dante Tomassoni, the son of late state Sen. David Tomassoni, says Hortman was instrumental in crafting legislation that went toward ALS research while his father was afflicted with the disease. Related: Suspect Vance Boelter Caught, Charged with Second-Degree Murder in Minnesota Lawmaker Shootings

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz has ordered all United States and Minnesota flags to fly at half-staff at all state buildings effective immediately, following what officials are calling the "politically motivated" shootings of DFL Rep.

Melissa Hortman’ s influence at the Minnesota Capitol and her power as a Democratic leader to shape the course of a deeply divided Legislature were a far cry from her job as a teenager making chili-cheese burritos and overshadowed her volunteer work training service dogs for veterans.