Emily could see his legs and his boots, pointing directly at the right side of Cassies face. Like most of the Columbine myths, the martyr story gained traction because it was based on a kernel of truth. Learn more about managing a memorial . Cassie Bernall was buried on April 24, 1999 at Golden Cemetery 755 Ulysses St, in Golden, Jefferson County. It led the Bernalls to take extraordinary steps to rescue her from the influence of negative friends, including moving to a new neighborhood. They just blew her away. A sheriffs department investigator who attends the Bernalls church later found Cassie lying under a table. Nielson eventually dropped the phone to take cover, but it continued recording, and the FBI lab enhanced the tape. Cassie was killed in the April 20 massacre at Columbine High School after one of the gunman asked her if she believed in God. A few years before she passed away, Cassie had experimented with drugs, alcohol, and Satanism at the age of 14. But she knew that if she said yes, she would die, Koeniger said. Cassie Bernall's funeral. The book by Cassie's mother, Misty Bernall "She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall" was . She also enjoyed fishing and rock climbing. A member of the estimated 70,000 person crowd raises a sign with the message 'There Are Angles Among US' during the Memorial Service for the victims of the Columbine High School shooting, April 25, 1999, at the Mann Theatre on Bowles Ave. in Littleton. There is 1 volunteer for this cemetery. In living as a Christian, she said, I just try to not contradict myself, to get rid of all the hypocrisy and just live for Christ.. Joshua Lapp, another witness of the library shootings, mentioned that the question of whether they believed in God was asked by the perpetrators to many people and the responses received did not seem to have made the perpetrators decide whom to shoot and whom to spare. A young girl did profess her faith in God at gunpoint, but she lived to tell about it. Briefly. Dylan walked away. His dying words were, Tell my girls I love them.. For example, the last night of her life Cassie stayed up late to get homework done after playing all weekend. A memorial on the top of one of the hills in Clement Park for the victims of the Columbine Tragedy, April 28, 1999. Easy-to-arrange cremation & funeral services. Unfortunately, in spring 2016 the website went offline and was nowhere to be found again. Michael and Vonda Shoels, parents of slain student Isaiah Shoels, weep at their son's funeral Thursday, April 29, 1999, in Aurora, Colo. Shoels was killed in the shooting rampage at Columbine High School last week and was the last of the victims to be buried. Cassies Yes came in response to the question, Do you believe in God? posed by one of the two deranged classmates who shot her to death, along with 11 other students and a teacher, and wounding nearly two dozen others, before taking their own lives in a April 20 melee at the 1,900-student school. It persisted for decades, representing Cassie as a Christian martyr and inspiring the creation of songs such as This Is Your Time by Grammy Award-winning American musician Michael W Smith and Cassie by American rock band Flyleaf.. The book contains details of Cassies life, including her rebellion during her teenage years, her spiritual side, and her faith in Christianity. This was too rich. That blast took her instantly. Despite her daughters sudden fame, her mother writes that people are off-track if they think she was a righteous, holy person who read her Bible all the time. Cassie Bernall is the 17-year-old student who died at Columbine High School last April 20 when two young men ignited a wave of shootings and bombings. The story of Cassies martyrdom was publicized by the media. place of death: Columbine, Colorado, United States. Refresh this page to see various historical events that occurred during Cassie's lifetime. It was the first time students returned to the school since the April 20 shooting spree that killed 12 students and a teacher, ending with the gunmen, both students, taking their own lives. Discover how our Uncovering Our Shared Memories: An Introduction to the Community Standards at AncientFaces He said that a young woman had greatly inspired the country sixteen years ago by facing a gunman at Columbine and had thus declined to deny God while being challenged about her faith. She said, "Oh, my God, oh, my God, don't let me die." dissection of the rise and fall of the myth. The Biography piece is collaborative, where we work together to present the facts. This browser does not support getting your location. Family members linked to this person will appear here. Her pastor called her funeral a marriage to Jesus Christ. She was placed in a white coffin so that her funeral attendees could sign on it. Use Escape keyboard button or the Close button to close the carousel. We all want to get out of here.. Although the investigators and Emily Wyant had informed Cassies family that the question about God was not asked to Cassie before she was fatally shot, her mother included the story in the book. [7] Her family had no knowledge of her death until April 22, when they were notified. Link to family and friends whose lives she impacted. Cassie grew up with her brother, Chris. Cassie was one of the students who were killed on that fateful day. In 4 years, Lori Lightfoot went from breakout political star to divisive mayor of a Chicago beset by pandemic and crime, Florida lawmakers to consider expansion of so-called dont say gay law, Drone crashes at Disneyland after hovering over visitors heads See video, Rapper Travis Scott wanted for assaulting Manhattan club sound engineer, destroying $12K in equipment, Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information. Your new password must contain one or more uppercase and lowercase letters, and one or more numbers or special characters. Dylan turned around. It also narrates the grieving process of her family in the aftermath of her death. See What AncientFaces Does to discover more about the community. At Columbine High School, in Littleton, Colo., students smile as they enter the school to begin their new year Monday, Aug. 16, 1999. One of the first students to escape from Columbine High School is questioned by police. 26 reviews 3 followers. The funeral was held at Heritage Christian Center. He now lives in Hutchinson, Kan. J. Scott Applewhite, The Associated Press. After four long hours, they were reunited. You can always change this later in your Account settings. Try again later. He said that he and his wife had got their daughter back. She paused, like she didnt know what she was going to answer, and then she said yes. Yet, regardless of what anyone wants to believe, the fact is that a beautiful life has forever been taken from us, alongside with the lives of 12 others, who are:Steven Robert Curnow (14), Corey Tyler DePooter (17), Kelly Ann Fleming (16), Matthew Joseph Kechter (16), Daniel Conner Mauser (15), Daniel Lee Rohrbough (15), William Dave Sanders (47), Rachel Joy Scott (17), Isaiah Emon Shoels (18), John Robert Tomlin (16), Lauren Dawn Townsend (18), Kyle Albert Velasquez (16)Although this video tribute is only about Cassie, I do always like to remember the other victims as well and I do not put Cassie higher than them. More than a century later, we continue to uphold a legacy of serving our community with compassion and professionalism. cemeteries found in Golden, Jefferson County, Colorado, USA will be saved to your photo volunteer list. Did Cassie finish grade school, get a GED, go to high school, get a college degree or masters? Her April 24 funeral was attended by nearly 2,000 people. She was among the first to be rescued. [9], Bernall's presentation as a Christian martyr has led to her serving as the inspiration for several songs, including Flyleaf's "Cassie"[18] and Michael W. Smith's "This Is Your Time". You are only allowed to leave one flower per day for any given memorial. honestly, i want to live completely for god. Seventeen-year-old Cassie Bernall was killed at Littletons Columbine High School. She Said Yes is the story of Cassie Bernall, a 17 year old girl who was killed in the Columbine High School shooting. Photos, memories, family stories & discoveries are unique to you, and only you can control. Learn more about merges. "Cassie's response does not surprise us. Everything was muffled then. Dylan reloaded, but something distracted him. [12], Craig Scott, the brother of Rachel Scott, was a student also in the library during the massacre who told investigators that he had heard one of the shooters ask a victim whether or not they believed in God during the shooting, and that the victim answered, "Yes." Please try again later. I believe in God., Because I believe. the average Bernall family member She was rebellious, involving herself with witchcraft, drugs, drinking, and cutting herself. She had also seen Eric walk up with the shotgun in his right hand, slap Cassies tabletop twice with his left, and say, Peekaboo. He squatted down, balancing on the balls of his feet, still holding on to the tabletop with his free hand. Which memorial do you think is a duplicate of Cassie Bernall (5742897)? Friends and family of the victim of the Columbine High School massacre signed the white casket. Yes. Share memories and family stories, photos, or ask questions. She was shot in the right side of her head, resulting in her immediate death. Rachel Scott's funeral Rachel's mother, Beth Nimmo, signed her daughter's coffin. Its, like, impossible to really have a really true life without him, she said. Where we share as we remember & make discoveries and connect with others to help answer questions. All photos appear on this tab and here you can update the sort order of photos on memorials you manage. Even so, I know that her death was not a waste, but a triumph of honesty and courage. Cassie Bernall is the 17-year-old student who died at Columbine High School last April 20 when two young men ignited a wave of shootings and bombings. She was interred in the Golden Cemetery in Golden, Colorado. Cassie Ren Bernall was an American student who was shot to death during the Columbine High School massacre. Today marks 20 years since 12 students and one teacher went to Columbine High School and never returned. Sorry! Matt Kechter's funeral. Cassie Bernall, a Columbine junior, had been shot in cold blood as she crouched under a library table, and word was that in her final seconds she answered her murderer's question and affirmed. Vice President Al Gore along with his wife Tipper, place flowers at a memorial at Clement Park Sunday afternoon, April 25, 1999, to honor the families and victims of the Columbine shooting. Victim of the Columbine High School Shooting in Littleton, Colorado, on April 20, 1999. As today is the 6th November 2019, on which Cassie would have turned 38, I have decided to create this video tribute, that includes all of the high-resolution pictures of Cassie, which her family has uploaded on a memorial webpage about Cassie (www.cassiebernall.org), in the end of 2015. And she definitely doesn't want to be known as the girl who punctured the myth of Cassie Bernall. Members of the news media prepare for a press briefing from Steve Davis of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department at Clement Park, April 22, 1999, in Littleton. I think she knew she was going to die if she said that, one of her friends, Kevin Koeniger, a member of Cassies youth group at West Bowles Community Church, told National Public Radios Morning Edition.. Cassie spoke of her faith in a youth group video just two days before her death. Reverend George Kristen of West Bowles Community Church in Littleton, Colorado, described Cassie Bernall's funeral as a "graduation ceremony," a day "to celebrate"; Minister Dave McPherson of the same congregation likened the service to "a wedding."1 Their opprobrious remarks remind me of a man who, in a botched demonstration of anti-anti . Eric and Dylan passed by several times, but Emily never expected one of them to come under the table and shoot. It was tradition that the seniors form a half moon stretching from one side of the amphitheater to the other and toss their hats up. Four LAPD officers had been accused of using excessive force (assault) on African-American Rodney King, who had been stopped for drunk driving. To add a flower, click the Leave a Flower button. Investigators later took Scott back into the library and asked him to point to where he had heard the exchange come from. We saw her as a hero.. He joined The Post as a photo editor in 2012. You can say it didnt happen that way, but the church wont accept it.. Did Cassie serve in the military or did a war or conflict interfere with her life? Not a word. Friends and family of Laura Townsend used markers to cover her casket with handwitten memories before her funeral service Monday afternoon, April 26, 1999. It was believed for a long time that Cassie was the victim who had faced the fateful question "Do you believe in God?" AP Members of the Columbine High School volleyball team hug the. Are you sure that you want to remove this flower? In 1995, at the age of just 14 years old, Cassie was alive when on October 16th, the Million Man March took place on the National Mall in Washington DC. GREAT NEWS! Just one girl was under the table with her, Emily Wyant. The person asking the question was one of the two troubled classmates who entered Columbine with . Her name is Valeen Schnurr. Clinton won 43.01% of the popular vote to Bush's 37.45%. In 1992, Cassie was just 11 years old when on April 29th, riots began in Los Angeles after the "Rodney King" verdict was issued. Then they asked her why, though they didnt give her a chance to respond. [20][4][5], Last edited on 13 February 2023, at 23:12, She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall, 2010 CENSUS CENSUS BLOCK MAP: Columbine CDP, CO, "10 years later, the real story behind Columbine", "Columbine victim's parents share her story", "After Columbine, martyrdom became a powerful fantasy for Christian teenagers", "Rick Santorum Supports Kim Davis by Repeating Long-Debunked Myth About Columbine", "Far Beyond Columbine, Rancor and Tension", "Songs of Experience: Christian singer looks at life's troubles and offers inspired work", https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Cassie_Bernall&oldid=1139208579, This page was last edited on 13 February 2023, at 23:12. Bill Owens to call special session during a rally on the East Steps of the Colorado Capitol on Tuesday, June 29, 1999. People around the world have heard about this, the girl who died a martyr, he said. 15 crosses honoring those that died in the Columbine High School shooting rest on a hill at Clement Park, April 30, 1999. Site by Mere. Dedicated to a student of Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. This is the story of the 17-year old high school student who was killed when she answered "yes" when asked if she believed in God. According to witness Emily Wyant, who was hiding under the same table as Bernall, Harris slammed his hand twice down on the table above them and said "peek-a-boo" before fatally shooting Bernall in the head. They are from left to right, Rachel Scott, John Tomlin, Steve Curnow, Lauren Townsend, Isaiah Shoels, Eric Harris, William Dave Sanders, Kelly Flemming, Matthew Kechter, Corey DePooter, Dylan Klebold, Kyle Valasquez, Daniel Mauser and Daniel Rohrbough. from a perpetrator and was killed as she said Yes. One of the students of the school, Craig Scott, who was present in the library at the time of massacre, informed the investigators that during the shooting, one of the two perpetrators had asked a victim if the victim believed in God, to which the victim had replied Yes. According to Scott, he felt the voice was that of Cassie, although he could not see the person, as he was hiding under a table. - CASSIE REN BERNALL, Your Scrapbook is currently empty. Schnurr knows what Cassie's story means to the people around her, knows that many who lived. Cassie Bernall started out her teenage career with the wrong crowd, like many teenagers do. Cassies family also came up with a statement backing the accuracy of the memoir, mentioning that they had spoken to four witnesses who had told them that Cassie had defended her faith before being gunned down. Rachel, a fun-loving participant in drama and forensics, had told friends she was considering graduating early to travel with a Christian drama team and perhaps later to become a missionary or to work with troubled youth, the Denver Rocky Mountain News reported. A rescue worker rests on the back of an ambulance on while working the scene at Columbine High School in Littleton on April 20, 1999. She grew up in a white evangelical Christian home with her parents, Misty and Brad, and her younger brother Chris. We will review the memorials and decide if they should be merged. 53 years shorter than Cassies family was informed about her death after a couple of days of the massacre. Yet he chose to stay there and hold the door for others so that they might go out before him and make their way to safety. Found more than one record for entered Email, You need to confirm this account before you can sign in. Not our kind of hope.. [10][11][12] In the following years numerous bookstermed "hagiographies" by sociologist Ralph Larkinwere published about Scott and Bernall with the assistance of or authorship by their parents. Year should not be greater than current year. Mark Taylor checked out a new, extra soft mattress in his bedroom Friday, June 11, 1999. All the while, detectives and FBI agents leading the massive police investigation fretted over how to break it to the public that it was all a huge misunderstanding. They pulled out Sanders wallet and held it open so he could see pictures of his wife and three daughters. Cassie Bernall was a victim of the Columbine High School shooting. Verify and try again. It was reported that Bernall had been asked whether or not she believed in God, and she said "Yes", before being shot during the massacre. Bush who was seeking his second term. Try again later. In this image from television, a Columbine High School student is rescued through a window by emergency personnel during the shooting spree at the school in the southwest Denver suburb of Littleton, Colo., Tuesday, April 20, 1999. Swat team members move towards Columbine High School near Littleton Colorado on April 20, 1999. A Colorado State trooper escorts two students from a house where more than 25 students found shelter after shooting broke out at Columbine High School in Littleton. Erics legs turned. When 2 or more people share their unique perspectives,