April 20th 2024.
Today marks the 25th anniversary of the tragic Columbine High School massacre. It's a day that will forever be remembered as the day 12 students and one teacher went to school, not knowing it would be their last.
On April 20th, 1999, Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, arrived at the school in Colorado during lunch time, armed with guns, homemade bombs, and knives. They first killed two students outside the school, then entered the cafeteria where they took the life of one teacher. From there, they proceeded to the library where they took 10 more lives during a terrifying hostage situation. It ultimately ended with Harris and Klebold taking their own lives.
The victims of this senseless act ranged in age, from the youngest being 14 to the heroic teacher who gave his life trying to protect his students. Let's take a moment to remember each of them, in the order in which they tragically passed away.
Rachel Scott, 17 years old, was the first victim of the mass shooting. She was sitting outside the school with her friend, Richard Castaldo, when she was shot four times by Harris. Rachel was a devout Christian who had been bullied for her faith throughout high school. Her diaries have inspired many and her legacy lives on through the charity, Rachel's Challenge.
Next was Daniel Rohrbough, a 15-year-old student who was heading to a nearby park to eat his lunch when the shooting began. He was shot multiple times and died on the sidewalk, just steps away from safety. His body remained there for 24 hours, serving as a tragic reminder of the events that had taken place.
William David Sanders, known as Dave, was the only adult killed in the massacre. He was a beloved teacher, father, and grandfather who heroically tried to save his students. Dave managed to get around 100 students to safety before he came face to face with the shooters. He was shot in the back and neck as he attempted to escape. Despite the efforts of his colleagues, he passed away three hours later.
Kyle Velasquez, 16 years old, was described as a "big teddy bear" by those who knew him. He was the first of 10 students who lost their lives during the hostage situation in the library. Kyle had suffered a stroke as a baby and his parents were prepared to care for him for the rest of their lives due to his disabilities. It was only three months prior that he had started staying at school during lunchtime, and he would have been on his way home if the shooting had happened just a few weeks earlier.
Steven Curnow, the youngest victim at 14 years old, had dreams of becoming a Navy top gun pilot. He was shot in the neck by Harris and sadly passed away. Steven was a huge Star Wars fan and was eagerly awaiting the release of the newest movie, which he would never get to see.
Cassie Bernall, 17 years old, had a troubled past but had turned her life around after attending a church retreat. Her parents were grateful to have their daughter back and she was starting over at a new school, Columbine. Cassie was studying in the library when the shooting began and tragically lost her life while trying to hide under a computer table.
Isaiah Shoels, 18 years old, was a talented athlete who had overcome a heart defect. He was studying in the library with friends when the shooters entered. They targeted him, made racist remarks, and attempted to pull him out from under the table. When they failed, Harris shot Isaiah, and Klebold shot his friend Matt Kechter. Another friend, Craig Scott, survived by playing dead in a pool of blood from his dying friends.
The lives of these 13 victims were taken too soon, but their memories will always live on. Today, we honor and remember them, and all those affected by this tragic event. May they rest in peace.
25 years ago, on April 20, 1999, a tragic event shook the peaceful community of Columbine High School in Colorado. It was a day that would forever be remembered as the Columbine High School massacre. On that fateful day, 12 students and one teacher went to school and never returned home. Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, arrived at the school during lunchtime, heavily armed with guns, homemade bombs, and knives.
Their rampage began outside the school, where they killed two students, and then continued inside the cafeteria, where they took the life of one teacher. As the chaos and terror unfolded, they proceeded to the school's library, where they took 10 more lives during a hostage situation before turning the guns on themselves.
These 13 individuals, from the youngest victim to the heroic teacher, are the ones whose names and memories will forever be etched in the hearts of their loved ones and the community. Let us take a moment to remember and honor each one of them in the order they tragically lost their lives.
The first victim of the mass shooting was 17-year-old Rachel Scott. She was shot four times while having lunch with her friend Richard Castaldo. Rachel was a devoted Christian and had been bullied throughout her high school years because of her faith. Her tragic death has inspired many victims of bullying, and her diaries have touched the lives of millions through the charity Rachel's Challenge.
Next was 15-year-old Daniel Rohrbough, who was heading to a nearby park to have lunch when he was fatally shot by the gunmen. His mother, who usually didn't see him in the morning, had a heartwarming chat with him and even gave him a kiss and a hug before he left home. His death was the most public, as his body remained on the sidewalk outside the school for 24 hours.
47-year-old teacher and hero, William David Sanders, also known as Dave, was in the cafeteria when he heard the gunshots. He bravely managed to save around 100 students from danger before ultimately losing his life. He has been hailed a hero for his selfless actions, and his last words were, "Tell my family I love them."
16-year-old Kyle Velasquez, described as a "big teddy bear," was the first of 10 students to lose their lives during the hostage situation in the library. Despite his disabilities, Kyle had recently started attending Columbine and would have been on his way home if the shooting had happened a few weeks earlier.
Steven Curnow, 14, had plans to become a Navy top gun pilot and was the youngest victim of the shooting. He was shot in the neck by Harris and sadly passed away, just a month before the release of his favorite movie, Star Wars I: The Phantom Menace.
17-year-old Cassie Bernall had a troubled past but had turned her life around after attending a church retreat. Her parents were grateful to have their daughter back, and she had just started over at Columbine when she tragically lost her life. Cassie was hiding in the library when Harris found her and said, "Peek-a-boo" before shooting her in the head.
Isaiah Shoels, 18, had overcome a heart defect and was a talented athlete and aspiring comedian. While hiding under a table in the library with his friends, Klebold and Harris targeted him with racist remarks before fatally shooting him. His friends, Matt Kechter and Craig Scott, also suffered injuries during the shooting, with Matt tragically losing his life.
These are the 13 victims of the Columbine High School massacre, and their names and stories will never be forgotten. May their memories be a reminder to us to always cherish and value the lives of those around us.
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