DENVER (AP) — A girl who wrote to God in her diaries, a boy with learning disabilities who was just learning to like who he was and a teen who would spend every free minute fishing were among the 13 victims of the Columbine High School shooting remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
As small candles flickered on 13 empty chairs, short biographies of Columbine students Rachel Scott, Kyle Velasquez and Corey DePooter and the other victims were read one by one. After each, the crowd of about 150 people replied together “never forgotten” and a bell tolled.
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DENVER (AP) — A girl who wrote to God in her diaries, a boy with learning disabilities who was just learning to like who he was and a teen who would spend every free minute fishing were among the 13 victims of the Columbine High School shooting remembered during a vigil Friday on the eve of the 25th anniversary of the shooting that was the worst the nation had seen at the time.
Thirteen chairs are empty with candles and roses to remember 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Tom Mauser talks during a vigil remembering the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Nathan Hochhalter, left, talks with former principal Frank DeAngelis during a vigil remembering the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Tim Hernandez hugs Kallie Leyba as former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, second from right, hugs Anne Marie Hochhalter, right during a vigil remembering the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
The youngest killed in the attack that has inspired dozens of copy cat shootings was Steven Curnow, 14. The oldest was teacher Dave Sanders, 47, who shepherded students out of the cafeteria to safety and was shot as he tried to get students upstairs into classrooms.
The others killed were Cassie Bernall, Kelly Fleming, Matt Kechter, Daniel Mauser, Dan Rohrbaugh, Isaiah Shoels, John Tomlin and Lauren Townsend.
Sanders' daughter, Coni Sanders, said her father changed the world forever by saving hundreds of students.
“The kids that he saved now have children and those children will have children so generations from now people will know they exist because of his bravery,” she said before the ceremony began.
The gathering, set up by advocates including gun safety organizations, was the main public event marking Saturday's anniversary, which is more subdued than previous milestone years. In addition to remembering those killed, the vigil at a church near the state Capitol also drew attention to those who were wounded and those who survived the shooting but suffered trauma.
Daniel Mauser's father, Tom Mauser, decided to set up the vigil after learning school officials did not plan to organize a large community event as they did on the 20th anniversary.
Mauser, who became a gun safety advocate after the shooting, urged the crowd of about 150 people gathered at a church across from the state Capitol never to forget the victims of Columbine and to take some kind of action to reduce gun violence.
“And most importantly we ask you to never forget, never forget the victims of Columbine. The slain, the injured, the traumatized and their families. And especially never forget those who lost their lives,” said Mauser, wearing his son's sneakers, a tradition he reserves for special occasions.
President Joe Biden, in a statement issued Saturday, said his administration has taken numerous steps to try to curb the “senseless violence” that has shattered some 400 schools since Columbine, including the creation of the White House Office of Gun Violence Prevention.
“I’ve met with countless families who’ve lost loved ones because of gun violence. Their message is always the same: do something,” the statement said. “My Administration will continue taking action, but Congress must do their part. We need universal background checks, a national red flag law, and we must ban assault weapons and high-capacity magazines.”
Former Arizona Congresswoman Gabby Giffords, who began campaigning for gun safety after she was nearly killed in a mass shooting, attended and spoke about her long recovery, drawing a comparison to the small steps needed to make change in the world.
“Change doesn't happen overnight and we can't do it alone. Join me. Let's move ahead together,” she said, drawing a standing standing ovation.
Nathan Hochhalter, whose sister Anne Marie was paralyzed after she was shot at Columbine, spoke about being trapped in a classroom at the school with about 30 students as they heard gunfire nearby. They were rescued about four hours later by SWAT officers who he said frisked them five times. Six months later, his mother, who had bipolar disorder, took her own life after asking to look at a gun in a pawnshop and shooting herself there.
“I just want to use this moment to let everyone know that it’s OK to ask for help, whatever your situation is whether, either as a survivor 25 years later or someone struggling with any part of their life. These things come in waves and they can hit you when you least expect it. You should all know that we’re all here for you and that you're not alone," Hochhalter said.
This story has been corrected to say Hochhalter's mother asked to look at a gun in a pawnshop before shooting herself.
Former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords is helped off the stage by Tom Mauser, who is wearing his son's shoes during a vigil remembering the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Denver. Daniel Mauser was killed during the Columbine shooting. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Thirteen chairs are empty with candles and roses to remember 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Tom Mauser talks during a vigil remembering the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Nathan Hochhalter, left, talks with former principal Frank DeAngelis during a vigil remembering the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
Tim Hernandez hugs Kallie Leyba as former Arizona Rep. Gabby Giffords, second from right, hugs Anne Marie Hochhalter, right during a vigil remembering the 25th anniversary of the Columbine High School mass shooting, Friday, April 19, 2024, in Denver. (AP Photo/Jack Dempsey)
TORONTO (AP) — William Nylander scored twice, Joseph Woll made 22 saves and the Toronto Maple Leafs beat the Boston Bruins 2-1 on Thursday night to force a seventh game in the first-round Eastern Conference series.
Toronto has overcame a 3-1 series deficit, also staving off elimination with a 2-1 victory in overtime in Boston on Tuesday night, to send the series back to Boston for a winner-take-all finale Saturday night. The series winner will face the Florida Panthers.
Morgan Rielly assisted on both goals.
Jeremy Swayman stopped 24 shots for the Bruins, who also blew a 3-1 lead against the Florida Panthers last year in the first round before losing in Game 7 following a record-setting regular season. Morgan Geekie spoiled Woll’s shutout bid with 0.1 seconds left.
Bruins coach Jim Montgomery wants to see more from his team in the decider and called out forward David Pastrnak by name.
“Your best players need to be your best players this time of year,” Montgomery said. “I think the effort is tremendous and they need to come through with some big-time plays in big-time moments. “I think (captain Brad) Marchand has done that in the series. Pasta needs to step up.”
Said Pastrnak: “I maybe didn’t get enough shots. I should maybe have a little bit more of a shooting mentality. Usually, that always helps me.”
Toronto was without Auston Matthews for the second straight game after the star center was pulled from Game 4 because of an illness.
Nylander opened the scoring with 54.8 seconds left in the second period. The Swedish winger took a pass from Timothy Liljegren in the offensive zone before weaving away from his check and firing a shot that glanced off Bruins defenseman Charlie McAvoy in front and beat Swayman on the short-side.
The goal set off wild celebrations inside an electric Scotiabank Arena — and outside the rink as Maple Leaf Square turned into a mosh pit of blue and white.
Toronto made it 2-0 with 2:13 left in the game when Nylander moved in alone after taking a pass from Matthew Knies and slid a backhander between Swayman’s pads.
“They’re obviously very desperate, fighting for their lives,” Marchand said. “So that’s always the toughest game to get. We know that. But I thought tonight was better than last game. ... If someone told us at the start of the season that we’d be Game 7 at home against Toronto, we’d take that all day.”
Woll is the first goalie in NHL history to have each of his first four career playoff starts come in elimination games. Thatcher Demko (2020), Michael Hutchinson (2020) and Manny Fernandez (2003) are the only other netminders to have their first three starts come in win-or-go home contests.
AP NHL playoffs: https://apnews.com/hub/stanley-cup and https://www.apnews.com/hub/NHL
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save as Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) and Charlie Coyle (13) look for a rebound during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save against Boston Bruins' Charlie Coyle (13) as Maple Leafs' Max Domi (11) defends and Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) and Maple Leafs' Morgan Rielly (44) look on during the third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Boston Bruins' Morgan Geekie (39) falls as he battles for the puck with Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) as Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe (22) and Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) look on during the third period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) scores against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe (22) checks Boston Bruins' Jesper Boqvist (70) during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
The puck sails wide of the net as Boston Bruins' Pavel Zacha (18) screens Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) during first-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Jake McCabe, left, is stopped by Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) trips Boston Bruins' John Beecher, left, as Maple Leafs' Ilya Lyubushkin (46) defends during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes a save as Boston Bruins' Jake DeBrusk (74) and Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies (23) battle during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' Matthew Knies, left, celebrates after a goal as Boston Bruins' Jesper Boqvist (70) skates by during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs goaltender Joseph Woll (60) stops Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) during the first period in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto on Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs players, back left, celebrate after William Nylander's goal as Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, right, looks on during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with John Tavares (91) and Timothy Liljegren (37) during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) celebrates after a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with Joel Edmundson (20) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' goaltender Joseph Woll (60) makes as save as Boston Bruins' Brad Marchand (63) and Charlie Coyle (13) look for a rebound during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with Joel Edmundson (20) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' John Tavares (91) and Matthew Knies (23) celebrate after a goal against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman, top right, as Bruins' Jesper Boqvist (70) looks on during second-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) scores against Boston Bruins goaltender Jeremy Swayman (1) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins with Morgan Rielly (44), Matthew Knies (23) and Joel Edmundson (20) during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Frank Gunn/The Canadian Press via AP)
Toronto Maple Leafs' William Nylander (88) celebrates after his goal against the Boston Bruins during third-period action in Game 6 of an NHL hockey Stanley Cup first-round playoff series in Toronto, Thursday, May 2, 2024. (Nathan Denette/The Canadian Press via AP)
