A girl who wrote to God in her diaries, a boy with learning disabilities who was just learning to like who he was and a teen who would spend every free minute fishing were among the 13 victims of the Columbine High School shooting remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
As small candles flickered on 13 empty chairs, short biographies of Columbine students Rachel Scott, Kyle Velasquez and Corey DePooter and the other victims were read one by one. After each, the crowd of about 150 people replied together "never forgotten" and a bell tolled.
The youngest killed in the attack that has inspired dozens of copy cat shootings was Steven Curnow, 14. The oldest was teacher Dave Sanders, 47, who shepherded students out of the cafeteria to safety and was shot as he tried to get students upstairs into classrooms.
The others killed were Cassie Bernall, Kelly Fleming, Matt Kechter, Daniel Mauser, Dan Rohrbaugh, Isaiah Shoels, John Tomlin and Lauren Townsend.
Sanders' daughter, Coni Sanders, said her father changed the world forever by saving hundreds of students.
"Her courageous act has rippled through time, ensuring that future generations will remember the lives she saved," he remarked as the ceremony commenced.
The gathering, organized by advocates from various gun safety groups, served as the primary public event commemorating the anniversary of the tragic incident. This year's observance was more subdued compared to previous years, with a vigil held at a church near the state Capitol to honor the memories of those who lost their lives, as well as to acknowledge the survivors who continue to cope with the aftermath of the shooting.
In response to the lack of a large community event planned by school officials, the father of one of the victims, Tom Mauser, took it upon himself to arrange the vigil, emphasizing the importance of never forgetting the Columbine tragedy. Mauser, who has since become a vocal advocate for gun safety, urged the approximately 150 attendees to honor the victims by advocating for measures to prevent gun violence.
"Above all, we implore you to always remember the victims of Columbine. Those who lost their lives, those who were injured, those who continue to suffer, and their families. And most importantly, never forget those who are no longer with us," Mauser declared, clad in his son's sneakers—a poignant tribute he reserves for special occasions.
President Joe Biden, in a statement issued Saturday, said his administration has taken numerous steps to try to curb the "senseless violence" that has shattered some 400 schools since Columbine, including the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
"I've met with countless families who've lost loved ones because of gun violence. Their message is always the same: do something," the statement said. "My Administration will continue taking action, but Congress must do their part. We need universal background checks, a national red flag law, and we must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines."
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who began campaigning for gun safety after she was nearly killed in a mass shooting, attended and spoke about her long recovery, drawing a comparison to the small steps needed to make change in the world.
"Change doesn't happen overnight and we can't do it alone. Join me. Let's move ahead together," she said, drawing a standing standing ovation.
Nathan Hochhalter, whose sister Anne Marie was paralyzed after she was shot at Columbine, spoke about being trapped in a classroom at the school with about 30 students as they heard gunfire nearby. They were rescued about four hours later by SWAT officers who he said frisked them five times. Six months later, his mother, who had bipolar disorder, took her own life after asking to look at a gun in a pawnshop and shooting herself there.
"In this moment, I want to remind everyone that it's perfectly fine to seek help, regardless of your circumstances. Whether you're a survivor dealing with the aftermath 25 years later or someone facing challenges in any aspect of your life, it's important to know that these struggles can resurface unexpectedly. Remember that there is a community here to support you, and you are never alone," Hochhalter shared.
