April 20, 1999.

20 years ago. Personally, I would turn three years old two days later. I don’t remember this happening.

All I know is that there have been countless school shootings since and nothing has been done to stop them.

Dave Cullen wrote a story full of facts. While some seem to be angry that he includes background on the killers. That he names them. However, without the background on the killers, we wouldn’t know why they wanted to do it. Why they planned for two years.

To his credit, Cullen also shares the struggles of the victims and their families. How this one, school shooting 20 years ago still affects them for years on.

He sheds light on the mistakes that the Jeffco sheriffs office makes. We can only hope that their mistakes are never made again.

Now, in honor of Mental Health Awareness Month (May), which is the month that I am read this in, I’d like to share a quote that struck me from the epilogue.

“We should not be identify teen depression just because of school shooters. We should do it to slash school dropout rates, teen pregnancy, drug and alcohol addiction, car accidents, and general misery. But if we are to act, this is the answer. Teen depression: the greatest unlearned lesson of Columbine.” (p.387)