The retired principal who survived the Columbine High School massacre 25 years ago still recites the names of the victims first thing every morning – and says their memories give him “a reason” to keep going.
“Every morning before my feet hit the ground, the first thing I do is recite the names” of the 13 victims, Frank DeAngelis told People. “I’ve done this for the past 25 years. They give me the reason to do what I’m doing.”
DeAngelis was in his office at the Littleton, Colo., school on the morning of April 20, 1999, when his secretary told him there were reports of gunfire in the building.
Thirteen people – 12 students and one teacher – were killed in the shooting. AP
“The first thing I’m thinking, is, ‘This has to be a senior prank,’” he recalled to People. “I’m running out of my office and my worst nightmare becomes a reality. The gunman’s coming towards me.”
There were actually two gunmen that day: Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, both Columbine seniors, who were armed with multiple guns and went on a shooting spree when a makeshift bomb failed to detonate in one of the nation’s first high-profile school shootings.
With one of the shooters just 75 yards away from him, DeAngelis immediately leapt into action.
“My kids were in trouble,” he said. “I had about 25 girls coming out of the locker room into the hallway. I knew if I got them into the gym, I’d be able to secure them there until it was safe.”
“We hear the shots getting closer. The girls are screaming, ‘Papa save us!’” DeAngelis recalled of the frantic moment before he finally unlocked the gym door.
Former student Nathan Hochhalter, left, talks with DeAngelis during an anniversary vigil on Friday. AP
“I had about 25 keys on a key ring. I reach in my suit pocket and the first key that comes out I put in the door. It opened on the first try,” he said.
The first shots were fired around 11:19 a.m.
Less than an hour later, 12 students, one teacher, and both shooters were dead.
An additional 21 people were injured.
At the time, Columbine was the deadliest high school shooting in United States history.
The death toll has since been surpassed five times, most recently in Uvalde, Texas, in 2022.
Students run from Columbine High School on the morning of April 20, 1999. AFP via Getty Images
DeAngelis’ colleague and mentor, Coach Dave Sanders, was the only teacher killed in the massacre.
Sanders died saving several students, and even diverted the shooters from DeAngelis, the former principal told People.
Just when DeAngelis was running at one of the gunman, he said, the shooter spotted Sanders “out of the corner of his eye.”
DeAngelis lights candles on the 13 empty seats representing the victims. AP
“Dave turns around to run away and unfortunately he gets shot.”
In the immediate aftermath of the shooting, DeAngelis said he fell into “a very bad place.”
He survived the 25 years since with help from his pastor, who told him, “‘Frank, you should’ve died that day…But God’s got a plan for you,’” he told People.
DeAngelis still carries that message with him.
“For whatever reason, God spared me that day. So I need to try to help others,” he said.
Start your day with all you need to know
Morning Report delivers the latest news, videos, photos and more.
Thanks for signing up!
In 2019, DeAngelis and other school administrators founded the Principal Recovery Network, which guides campus officials after a shooting or other crisis.
That same year, he also published a memoir, “They Call Me ‘Mr. De,’” which recounts the events of April 20, 1999 and his own journey moving forward.
In 2022, the Principal Recovery Network published a “Guide to Recovery” for schools rebuilding after a violent event.
“So many schools use this,” DeAngelis told People.
DeAngelis puts his head in his hands during the Friday night vigil. AP
Last week, ahead of the 25th anniversary of the shooting, DeAngelis spoke with a group of current Columbine students.
“As long as I’m on the face of this earth, I refuse to be hopeless. I refuse to give in because I’m not going to allow evil to win,” he told the group.
On Friday night, the Columbine shooting was also remembered at an emotional vigil that featured 13 empty chairs for the victims.
About 150 people recited “never forgotten” and listened to a bell toll after the name of each victim was read out loud.
Tom Mauser wore sneakers that belonged to his son, Columbine sophomore Daniel Mauser, who was killed in the shooting.
“We ask you to never forget, never forget the victims of Columbine. The slain, the injured, the traumatized and their families,” he told the attendees. “And especially never forget those who lost their lives.”
With Post wires
Source link: https://nypost.com/2024/04/20/us-news/columbine-principal-recites-victims-names-every-morning/