Denver, Colorado – A vigil is scheduled to honor the 12 students and one teacher who lost their lives in the Columbine High School shooting on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the tragic event. This gathering, organized by gun safety and other organizations, will be the main public event commemorating the anniversary.
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, an advocate for gun safety after surviving a mass shooting, will be one of the speakers at the vigil. Nathan Hochhalter, whose sister was paralyzed in the shooting, is also expected to address the attendees. Hochhalter’s mother, Carla Hochhalter, tragically took her own life several months after the shooting.
The vigil was set up by Colorado Ceasefire, Brady United Against Gun Violence, and Colorado Faith Communities United Against Gun Violence. Despite the solemn occasion, the organizers emphasize that it will not be a political event.
Tom Mauser, who lost his son Daniel in the Columbine shooting, took it upon himself to organize the vigil when he learned that school officials did not plan a large community event as they did for the 20th anniversary. Mauser, a gun safety advocate, wanted to provide a space for people to come together and mark 25 years since the tragic shooting.
Reflecting on the impact of the shooting, Mauser led a successful campaign in 2000 to pass a ballot measure requiring background checks for all firearm buyers at gun shows in Colorado. This initiative aimed to close loopholes that allowed individuals to obtain firearms, similar to how one of the Columbine gunmen’s friends acquired weapons used in the attack.
Despite the national attention on gun safety following the Columbine tragedy, limited action was taken in Congress in 1999. However, the issue resurfaced prominently after the 2012 Sandy Hook shooting. Democrat-led and Republican-controlled states have since taken different approaches to addressing mass shootings.
As the anniversary approaches, Sam Cole, another member of Colorado Ceasefire, hopes that the vigil will keep the memory of the victims alive. He emphasizes that those lost at Columbine would now be adults with families, and it is essential to remember them as individuals with bright futures ahead.
The vigil serves as a poignant reminder of the lives lost and the ongoing impact of the Columbine High School shooting. It provides an opportunity for the community to come together, reflect, and honor the memory of those who tragically lost their lives 25 years ago.