The 13 victims of the Columbine High School shooting remembered at Friday’s vigil included a girl who wrote letters to God in her diary, a boy with learning disabilities who was just beginning to love himself, They included a teenage boy who spent his free time fishing. It was the eve of the 25th anniversary of the worst mass shooting the United States had experienced at the time.
As small candles lit the 13 empty chairs, short biographies of Columbine students Rachel Scott, Kyle Velasquez, Corey Depter and other victims were read one by one.
After each word, the crowd of about 150 responded in unison, “We will never forget,” and the bell rang.
The youngest person killed in the attack, which sparked dozens of copycat shootings, was 14-year-old Stephen Curnow.
The oldest was teacher Dave Sanders, 47, who was shot and killed as he led students from the cafeteria to safety and then tried to take them to classrooms on the second floor.
Also killed were Kathy Bernal, Kelly Fleming, Matt Kechter, Daniel Moser, Dan Rohrbaugh, Isaiah Sholes, John Tomlin, and Lauren Townsend.
Mr. Sanders’ daughter, Koni Sanders, said her father saved hundreds of students and changed the world forever.
“The children he saved now have children, and their children will have children, so that generations to come will know of their existence because of his courage.” ” she said before the ceremony began.
The rally, organized by gun safety groups and other advocates, was a major public event to mark Saturday’s anniversary, but it was more subdued than in previous milestone years. .
The vigil, held at a church near the state Capitol, not only commemorated those killed, but also focused attention on those who were injured and those who survived the shooting but were still traumatized.
Daniel Moser’s father, Tom Moser, decided to hold the vigil after learning school officials were not planning to hold a large community event like they did for the 20th anniversary.
Moser, who became a gun safety advocate after the shootings, told a crowd of about 150 people gathered at a church across the street from the state Capitol that they would never forget the victims of Columbine and that they would not tolerate gun violence. He called for action to be taken to reduce violence.
“And most importantly, never forget, never forget the victims of Columbine. Those who were killed, those who were injured, those who were traumatized, and their families. And especially those who lost their lives. Never forget the people who dropped them,” Moser said as she put on her son’s sneakers, a tradition reserved for special occasions.
Former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, who started the gun safety movement after nearly dying in a mass shooting, was also in attendance, comparing her long recovery to the small steps it takes to change the world. talked about.
“Change doesn’t happen overnight, and we can’t do it alone. Please join us. Let’s move forward together,” he said to a standing ovation.
Nathan Hochalter, whose sister Anne Marie was paralyzed in the Columbine shooting, described being trapped in a school classroom with about 30 other students as gunshots were heard nearby.
They were rescued about four hours later by SWAT personnel, who assaulted them five times.
Six months later, his mother, who suffered from bipolar disorder, asked to see a gun at a pawn shop, where she shot herself.
“I want to use this moment to let everyone know that no matter your situation, it’s okay to ask for help, whether it’s as a survivor 25 years later or someone who is struggling in any part of life. I want to tell you: These things come in waves and can hit you when you least expect it, and you should know that we are all here for you and that you are not alone. ” Hochalter said.
