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By Clay Masters, MPR News

Lowered flags waved above the Minnesota Capitol as hundreds gathered Wednesday night for a candlelight vigil in honor of former Minnesota House Speaker Melissa Hortman and husband Mark.

They were killed early Saturday by a gunman targeting Democratic lawmakers. The vigil is the first of a series of public remembrances to the Hortmans before they are laid to rest.

It drew people of various political backgrounds and stature and included those who knew the Hortmans personally or through her work. There were those who called the 11-term legislator a friend, colleague, ally or a combination of those.

The crowd stood shoulder to shoulder in front of a memorial of flowers, flags, handwritten notes and other mementos to Hortman.

Lynne Billing of St. Paul was in attendance. Although she did not know Hortman personally, she said she felt the weight of the loss.

“I knew she was special and I knew she really cared about people,” she said. “It’s just a huge, huge loss and I’m just here to say I’m going to miss her.”

A large blanket was spread on the ground where people wrote messages in marker.

“Melissa was a true model of humility. She didn’t do this work to boost her own ego, further her political career or garner fame and glory. She did it to improve people’s lives,” was the message a person named Marissa left, signed with a gold heart.

A brass band ensemble played. “Amazing Grace” was one of the songs. A Native American drum circle also formed that was followed by a string quartet.

Many in attendance stood with crossed arms and bowed heads. Some wiped away tears.

A murmur could be heard as people mostly reflected in quiet. As the sun began setting behind the white marble building and darkness began to fall, the glow of candles spanned across the Capitol mall.

Gov. Tim Walz and first lady Gwen Walz stood near the front, head lowered as a candle flickered in his hand and she reached into her purse for a tissue.

Lt. Gov. Peggy Flanagan said many current and former House members gathered privately beforehand to grieve together and share stories.

“It really is a family, and Melissa was such an important part,” Flanagan said. “A lot of laughs, a lot of stories, a lot of swears. So today, I have tremendous gratitude for her life and everyone who’s here to celebrate her.”

U.S. Rep. Angie Craig, who last spoke to Hortman as the Legislature was wrapping up a difficult session, was there, too.

“Today was the first day that we could all tell our stories together. We could gather together in our grief, and we needed it,” Craig said. “We really did need it.”

Organizers advised attendees to leave signs at home and purposely avoided a speaking program.

A funeral service for the Hortmans is not expected prior to next week, although details have yet to be made public.

Gov. Tim Walz told MPR News this week that Hortman deserves to lie in state in the Capitol, an honor that is usually afforded to former governors and other prominent officials. Hortman would be one of fewer than 20 Minnesotans — and the first woman — to receive the tribute since this Capitol building opened in 1905, according to the Minnesota Legislative Reference Library.

There have been only four who were solely state legislators and didn’t serve in statewide office, such as governor or Supreme Court justice. No legislator with exclusively Minnesota House service has been given the tribute. The last legislator so honored was former Senate Majority Leader Nick Coleman.

Authorities say the alleged shooter, Vance Boelter, first shot state Sen. John Hoffman and wife, Yvette, at their Champlin home. They were rushed to a hospital and are expected to recover. Federal prosecutors say Boelter had a lengthy list of possible targets and stalked the homes of at least two other lawmakers in the overnight hours but neither was hurt.