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Cassie Bernall Accused Of The Columbine Massacre

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On April 20, 1999, in Littleton, Colorado, the Columbine shooting became the worst high school shooting in U.S. history, at the time. Eric Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, shot and killed twelve students and a teacher, and injured over twenty others. Cassie Bernall was one of the thirteen victims of the shooting. Cassie was a 17-year-old student who was shot in the library by Eric Harris, one of the two gunmen. Her story gained national attention after it was reported that she was asked if she believed in God. She said yes and the gunman shot her to death. It was later discovered that the exchange between Cassie Bernall and Eric Harris did not occur as originally reported. A lot of confusion and misinformation surrounded the events at Columbine …show more content…

Valeen Schnurr was also in the Columbine Library on the day of the shooting. After the story of Cassie’s martyrdom became widely publicized, detectives and FBI agents discovered the truth. Witnesses Emily Wyant and Bree Pasquale witnessed Eric Harris shoot Cassie. They knew the truth behind her death, but the story had already reached millions. Emily Wyant and Cassie Bernall were under the same table, facing each other. Emily looked into Cassie’s eyes in her last moments… she had no time for words. Bree Pasquale was sitting on the floor a few feet away. She also witnessed Cassie’s murder. Eric walked up to Cassie and Emily’s table, slapped the top twice, said “Peekaboo”, pointed the shotgun at Cassie, and fired. Again, no words from Cassie. Valeen Schnurr was the girl who really had said yes. According to Dave Cullen, “Val dropped to her knees, then her hands. Blood was streaming out of thirty-four separate wounds. “Oh my God, oh my God, don’t let me die,” she prayed. Dylan turned around. This was too rich. “God? Do you believe in God?” She wavered. Maybe she should keep her mouth shut. No. She would rather say it. “Yes. I believe in God”(224). Valeen struggled to share her story because others called her a ‘copycat’ and suspected deception. Valeen had a difficult decision to make; tell the truth or expose a misunderstanding that had brought so much hope to the community, and the

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