As we approach this Saturday, our thoughts turn solemn as we reflect on the tragic events that unfolded 25 years ago at Columbine High School in Littleton.
It was a day marked by profound loss, as two students took the lives of 12 classmates and a teacher, while injuring more than 20 others. While Columbine wasn’t the first of its kind, it tragically set a precedent for subsequent acts of school gun violence, ushering in a new era of fear and sorrow.
The impact of such violence extends far beyond the walls of the school. Everytown for Gun Safety reports that in 2024 alone, there have been over 50 incidents of gunfire and nearly 20 deaths on school grounds nationwide.
Since 2013, more than 1,200 such shootings have occurred, claiming the lives of over 400 individuals. In Colorado alone, 19 shootings have left eight dead, highlighting the pervasive nature of this epidemic.
The enduring trauma of gun violence is deeply felt among survivors and their communities. Kiki Leyba, a teacher at Columbine High School who lived through the horror, spoke of the lasting scars during a recent news briefing in Washington, D.C. Kristina Hanley, another survivor, shared her struggle with annual anxiety around April, when memories of the tragedy resurface.
Despite the grim reality painted by these statistics and the absence of federal legislation to address the issue, survivors find hope in various initiatives. Efforts in Colorado to tighten firearm regulations and the Biden administration’s new rule expanding background checks for gun purchases offer glimmers of progress.
Additionally, the determination of young people, who have grown up in a world marred by mass shootings and active shooter drills, inspires hope for change through their activism and votes.
As we come together to commemorate this anniversary, survivors and community members will gather for a candlelight vigil at the state Capitol on Friday evening.
On Saturday, approximately 2,000 current Columbine students and staff, along with individuals from around the world, will unite in service projects, honoring the memory of those lost and reaffirming their commitment to building a safer future for all.
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