Columbine - 7 Years Ago Today

[Bishka]

Daniel Conner Mauser -- 15 years old
Excelled in math and science, and got straight 'A's on his last report card. His dad remembered his son as a young man who wasn't afraid of challenges and who wasn't ashamed to hug his parents. He was shy but he didn't let that stop him from joining the debate team and though he wasn't a natural athlete, he still joined the cross-country team. He was a sophomore with a straight A average who was concerned with gun safety in America. His father, Tom Mauser, is an active protester of the NRA and continues to campaign for stricter gun laws in the wake of his son's brutal death. Daniel died in the library after he was shot in the face.

http://columbine.free2host.net/victim/memoriam.html

 

[Bishka]

Daniel Lee Rohrbough -- 15 years old
Helped in his father's electronic business; enjoyed electronics and computer games. He was looking forward to getting his driver's permit soon. Remembered as a fun guy. Shortly after learning of his death, Dan's mother started a load of laundry in order to "do something normal" and came across Daniel's shirt and socks. "The little things just bring back the horror of the fact that he's not with us any more," she said.

He was shot first by Eric in the chest then again later by Dylan at point-blank range in the head. He died on the sidewalk outside the school where he lay for nearly 2 days before paramedics were allowed to move him.

There was a great deal of controversy over his death when Arapahoe County Deputy James Taylor told Danny's parents that the boy may have been killed by 'friendly fire' from a Denver SWAT team member. Lawsuits and independent investigation has confirmed that Danny died from the shot fired by Eric Harris but it was never made clear whether or not Danny was hit in the crossfire by a bullet from law enforcement.

http://columbine.free2host.net/victim/memoriam.html

 

[Bishka]

Rachel Joy Scott -- 17 years old
Played the lead in a student-written school play, and liked photography. She was also active in Celebration Christian Fellowship church. She was "made for the camera," according to her father, and was an aspiring writer and actress. "There's nothing I can add or take away from what she gave us," her mom said. "In those short 17 years, it was complete." She had just performed in Columbine's Smoke in the Room and was writing a play for her senior year.

She quit smoking at the request of friend Nick Baumgart who later took her to the prom. If she hadn't quit, it's quite possible she would've been at Smoker's Pit during lunch instead of in the line of fire. Rachel was shot in front of the school cafeteria while she was eating lunch on the grass with friend Richard Castaldo. She died from gunshot wounds to the head, chest, arm and leg. Her car was turned into a memorial in the parking lot of the school.
http://columbine.free2host.net/victim/memoriam.html

 

[Bishka]

Isaiah Eamon Shoels -- 18 years old
Wanted to be a comedian, dreamed of becoming a music executive. After graduating he wanted to attend an arts college. Friends nicknamed him "Bushwick". Born with a heart defect, his parents said he was a fighter who overcame his disability and went on to play football. He was studying in the library with Matt Kechter and Craig Scott when the shooters entered the building. The last words he heard were from a killer spewing racial hatred. He died in the library from a gunshot wound to the chest.

 

[Bishka]

John Robert Tomlin -- 16 years old
A native of Wisconsin, he worked after school at a local nursery and belonged to a church youth group. Enjoyed four-wheeling in his truck and lifting weights. Family and friends remember his energy and the warmth of his smile. He had recently got his driver's license and had just bought a Chevy pickup that he had been working for since he was 14. He used to drive to Mexico to build houses for the poor.

His truck, like Rachel's car, became a standing memorial in the parking lot. He died in the library from multiple gunshot wounds to the head and neck. His last act was comforting a student hiding with him under the table where he was shot to death. He was the first of the Columbine victims to be buried; he was interred in his hometown of Waterford, Wisconsin in a satin-lined coffin embroidered with Chevy trucks.

 

[Bishka]

Lauren Dawn Townsend -- 18 years old
Was a senior and captain of the girls' varsity volleyball team, which her mother coached. She was a member of the National Honor Society. She was a candidate for valedictorian of her graduating class. Nicknamed "Lulu," she was a straight 'A' student - she never got a 'B'. She volunteered at a local animal shelter and planned to major in biology at Colorado State University.

She died in the library from multiple bullet- and shotgun wounds to the head, chest and lower body. Her funeral was held at Foothills Bible Church where her brother Josh played a tribute video filled with moments from her life. Her father wrote on her coffin: "Lulu, you'll always be my baby."

 

[Bishka]

Kyle Albert Velasquez -- 16 years old
Neighbors and relatives say he enjoyed chores and family activities. They say he was a "gentle giant." - he was six feet tall when he died. He loved nothing more than helping his dad out around the house - putting up shelves, mowing the lawn, washing the car. One friend said: "When he laughed hard, it became contagious to everyone around him... we will continue that laughter in your honor." A shy kid, Kyle was just beginning to come out of his shell when he was shot in the library.

He died from multiple shotgun wounds to the head and back. He was buried with military honors since his father was a Navy veteran. His parents Al and Phyllis were given the flags from his coffin and the one that was flown at half-mast in Kyle's honor at the state Capitol.

 

[Bishka]

William "Dave" Sanders 47
Computer and business teacher for 24 years and coach of the girls' basketball and softball teams. He leaves behind his wife, four children and five grandchildren. His students said he was a teacher, a friend, a mentor and an inspiration. When the gunmen started firing outside the school he ran to the cafeteria and sounded the alarm. He helped get students out of the path of danger by herding them away from the shooters. He saved untold numbers of lives that day.

By the time the gunmen arrived, the cafeteria was nearly empty thanks to him. He was in the upstairs hall trying to get students safely hidden in classrooms when he was shot from behind, getting hit in the head/neck and upper torso. He managed to get himself into a science lab where he bled to death waiting for help that 911 told students who were helping him was coming -- but didn't get there for 3 *hours*.

In regards to Dave, his daughter Angela said at his funeral: "What you did in that school on Tueseday was an amazing act of heroism. Even after you were hurt, you continued to be the brave, selfless man we all know you are."

 

[Bishka]

Injuries in initial incident

Richard Castaldo shot in the arm, chest, back and abdomen on the same grassy area.

Lance Kirklin shot with wounds to the leg, neck and jaw on the West Staircase.

Michael Johnson escaped from the grassy knoll with wounds to his face, arm and leg.

Mark Taylor shot in the chest, arms and leg on the grassy knoll.

Anne-Marie Hochhalter shot in the chest, arm, abdomen, back, and left leg near the cafeteria's entrance.

Brian Anderson injured near the West Entrance by flying glass.

Patti Nielson hit in the shoulder by shrapnel near the West Entrance.

Stephanie Munson shot in the ankle inside the North Hallwa

*I edited out the deaths, since I've posted those already*
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Columbine_High_School_massacre

 

[Bishka]

Injuries in the library

Evan Todd sustained minor injuries from the splintering of a desk he was hiding under.

Patrick Ireland shot in the arm, leg, head, and foot.

Daniel Steepleton shot in the thigh.

Makai Hall shot in the knee.

Kasey Ruegsegger shot in the hand, arm and shoulder.

Lisa Kreutz shot in the shoulder, hand and arms.

Val Schnurr injured with wounds to the chest, arms and abdomen.

Mark Kintgen shot in the head and shoulder.

Nicole Nowlen shot in the abdomen.

Jeanna Park shot in the knee, shoulder and foot.

Jennifer Doyle shot in the hand, leg and shoulder.

Austin Eubanks shot in the head and knee.

 

[Bishka]

Lest we forget, God Bless Their Souls:

Deaths of the shooters

Eric Harris (gunman) committed suicide by a single shot to the head.

Dylan Klebold (gunman) committed suicide by a single shot to the head.

 

[Bishka]

Two other students and one teacher were injured in the school after taking a 15ft (4.6m) fall through the ceiling above the staff lounge in an attempt to escape from the school. These injuries were not attributed to the shooters. Those who were injured in this incident are:

• Nicholas Foss, 18
• Joyce Jankowski, 45 (Teacher)
• Adam Kyler, 16

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_victims_of_the_Columbine_High_School_massacre

 

[Bishka]

To put faces to the names....:flower:

 

[Bishka]

Look at these boys. How could we let things get like this? God bless them.:flower:

 

[Bishka]

Students gather following the Columbine High School massacre

 

[FFH]

Cassie Bernall​

An excerpt from the book, "She Said Yes," written by Cassie's mother, Misty Bernall.

Crystal (Cassie's friend) lost track of Cassie once the shooters entered the room, and there are conflicting versions of what she was doing. One student remembers seeing her under a table, hands clasped in prayer; another says she remained seated. Josh, a sophomore who spoke with me a few weeks after the incident, did not see her at all, but he says he will never forget what he heard as he crouched under a desk about twenty-five feet away:​

I couldn't see anything when those guys came up to Cassie, but I could recognize her voice. I could hear everything like it was right next to me. One of them asked her if she believed in God. She paused, like she didn't know what she was going to answer, and then she said yes. She must have been scared, but her voice didn't sound shakey. It was strong. Then they asked her why, though they didn't give her a chance to respond. They just blew her away.​

www.CassieReneBernall.com​

 

[FFH]

Rachel Scott​

An excerpt from the book, "Rachel's Tears," written by Beth Nimmon.

Without warning, the two young men opened fire, severing Richard's spine and shooting Rachel, twice in her legs, and once in her torso. As Richard lay stunned and Rachel attempted to crawl to safety, the shooters began to walk away, only to return seconds later. At that point, Harris reportedly grabbed Rachel by her hair, held her head up, and asked her the question: "Do you believe in God?" "You know I do," replied Rachel. "Then go be with Him," responded Harris before shooting her in the head.

www.RachelJoyScott.com​

 

[Ðanisty]

The main problem is that its easy to acquire a gun!!!!! Get rid of the guns, and help reduce violence!! There's no point in mourning their deaths. We brought this upon ourselves!!!

No, I'm sorry but I disagree. The main problem is that when children suffer emotionally, we ignore them. Happy children don't kill other children.

 

[Bishka]

No, I'm sorry but I disagree. The main problem is that when children suffer emotionally, we ignore them. Happy children don't kill other children.

Agreed!:clap