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.
The youngest killed in the attack that has inspired dozens of copy cat shootings was Steven Curnow, 14.
The others killed were Cassie Bernall, Kelly Fleming, Matt Kechter, Daniel Mauser, Dan Rohrbaugh, Isaiah Shoels, John Tomlin and Lauren Townsend.
The gathering, set up by advocates including gun safety organizations, was the main public event marking Saturday’s anniversary, which is more subdued than previous milestone years.
Daniel Mauser’s father, Tom Mauser, decided to set up the vigil after learning school officials did not plan to organize a large community event as they did on the 20th anniversary.
“And most importantly we ask you to never forget, never forget the victims of Columbine.
And especially never forget those who lost their lives,” said Mauser, wearing his son’s sneakers, a tradition he reserves for special occasions.
“I’ve met with countless families who’ve lost loved ones because of gun violence.
The 13 victims of the Columbine High School shooting were honored during a vigil on Friday night, the eve of the 25th anniversary of the worst shooting the country had ever seen. Among them were a girl who wrote to God in her diaries, a boy with learning disabilities who was just learning to like who he was, and an adolescent who would spend every free moment fishing.
One by one, brief biographies of the other victims and Columbine students Rachel Scott, Kyle Velasquez, and Corey DePooter were read aloud as thirteen empty chairs glowed with tiny candles. A bell tolled as the roughly 150-person crowd collectively responded “never forgotten” to each.
Steven Curnow, 14, was the youngest person killed in the incident that sparked numerous copycat shootings. The first was 47-year-old teacher Dave Sanders, who led pupils from the cafeteria to safety before being shot while attempting to lead them upstairs into classrooms.
Cassie Bernall, Kelly Fleming, Dan Rohrbaugh, Isaiah Shoels, John Tomlin, Lauren Townsend, Matt Kechter, Daniel Mauser, and Isaiah Shoels were the other victims that perished.
Coni Sanders, the daughter of Sanders, claimed that her father’s decision to save hundreds of students altered history forever.
Before the ceremony started, she remarked, “The kids that he saved now have children and those children will have children so generations from now people will know they exist because of his bravery.”.
The primary public event commemorating Saturday’s anniversary—which is more muted than previous historic years—was organized by advocates, including gun safety organizations. The vigil at a church close to the state Capitol honored the dead while also drawing attention to the injured and traumatized survivors of the shooting.
Tom Mauser, the father of Daniel Mauser, organized the vigil after discovering that school administrators had not planned to host a sizable community gathering as they had on the 20th anniversary.
After the shooting, Mauser turned to gun safety advocacy. Speaking to a group of about 150 people at a church across from the state Capitol, he urged them to remember the Columbine victims always and to take action to prevent gun violence.
“And above all, we beg you to never forget the Columbine victims. The killed, the wounded, the distressed, and their loved ones. Wearing his son’s sneakers, a custom he saves for exceptional occasions, Mauser remarked, “And especially, never forget those who lost their lives.”.
In a statement released on Saturday, President Joe Biden said that his administration had established the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention among other measures to try and stop the “senseless violence” that has rocked about 400 schools since Columbine.
“Many families that have lost loved ones to gun violence have come to see me. “Their constant message is to take action,” the statement read. “My Administration will keep moving forward, but Congress also needs to play a role. In addition to a national red flag law and the prohibition of assault weapons and high-capacity magazines, we also require universal background checks. “.
The former congresswoman from Arizona, Gabby Giffords, discussed her lengthy recovery and compared it to the tiny actions required to bring about change in the world. She started advocating for gun control after she was almost killed in a mass shooting.
“We can’t do it alone, and change doesn’t happen over night. Come along with me. She said, eliciting a standing ovation. “Let’s move forward together.”.
Nathan Hochhalter talked about being stuck in a school classroom with about 30 students when they heard gunfire nearby. His sister Anne Marie was shot at Columbine and suffered a paralysis. He said that the SWAT officers frisked them five times before they were rescued, which was approximately four hours later. His bipolar mother shot herself in a pawnshop six months after asking to look at a gun there and taking her own life.
“I just want to take this opportunity to let everyone know that it’s okay to ask for help, no matter what—whether you’re a struggling person or a survivor who’s been there for 25 years. These things can surprise you because they come in waves. We’re all here for you and you’re not alone, and you should all know that,” Hochhalter remarked.
