The 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School shooting was marked by a vigil that remembered the 13 victims of the tragic event. The vigil included short biographies of each victim, with the crowd responding “never forgotten” after each one. The victims ranged in age from 14-year-old Steven Curnow to 47-year-old teacher Dave Sanders, who was hailed as a hero for saving hundreds of students during the attack. The event was organized by advocates for gun safety and also highlighted the impact on those who were wounded or traumatized during the shooting.
Daniel Mauser’s father, Tom Mauser, took the initiative to organize the vigil after learning that school officials did not plan a large community event for the 25th anniversary. Mauser, who has become a gun safety advocate, urged the crowd to never forget the victims of Columbine and to take action to reduce gun violence. President Joe Biden also issued a statement calling for action to prevent gun violence, citing the need for universal background checks, a national red flag law, and a ban on assault weapons and high-capacity magazines. Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, a gun safety advocate who survived a mass shooting, also attended the vigil and spoke about the need for collective action to bring about change.
A survivor of the Columbine shooting, Nathan Hochhalter, shared his experience of being trapped in a classroom during the attack and being rescued by SWAT officers after hearing gunfire nearby. Hochhalter also spoke about the impact of the shooting on his family, including his mother’s tragic death by suicide six months later. He emphasized the importance of asking for help and reaching out for support, both for survivors of gun violence and for those struggling with any aspect of their lives. The vigil served as a poignant reminder of the lasting impact of the Columbine shooting on the victims, their families, and the broader community.
The event also paid tribute to the resilience and strength of the Columbine community, as well as the ongoing efforts to prevent similar tragedies from occurring in the future. The speakers at the vigil highlighted the need for continued advocacy for gun safety measures and support for those affected by gun violence. The vigil was a somber reflection on the 25 years since the Columbine shooting, but also a call to action for a more peaceful and safer future for all. The event served as a tribute to the lives lost, the survivors, and the collective efforts to honor their memory and work towards a society free from gun violence.
