(TheIndependentStar.com) – Raising the tragedy’s death toll to 14 almost 26 years after the attack, a Columbine shooting survivor’s death has now been ruled a homicide.
Anne Marie Hochhalter, who died at 43 last month, died of complications directly linked to the gunshot wounds that paralyzed her during the 1999 school shooting.
This sobering ruling highlights how the violent actions of two teenage killers continue to claim victims decades later.
Jefferson County Coroner Dr. Dawn B. Holmes officially classified Hochhalter’s death as a homicide.
Holmes determined that sepsis, complicated by paraplegia from the 1999 gunshot wounds, caused Hochhalter’s death.
The ruling increases the Columbine death toll to 13 students and one teacher.
Hochhalter was shot in the back and chest during the April 20, 1999, attack, leaving her paralyzed from the waist down and dependent on a wheelchair for the rest of her life.
Despite facing daily challenges and ongoing health complications for over two decades, those who knew her emphasized she never wanted to be defined by the tragedy.
The coroner’s decision brings renewed attention to the Columbine massacre, with Hochhalter’s life story demonstrating resilience and determination rather than victimhood.
The two teenage perpetrators of the Columbine attack took their own lives after murdering classmates and a teacher.
Their horrific actions sparked decades of copycat attempts and left a permanent mark on American culture.
Despite her immense physical struggles, Hochhalter became an advocate for the disability community and developed a friendship with Rick Townsend, whose daughter was killed during the Columbine shooting.
“She was never bitter or angry because of her injuries,” Townsend said of Hochhalter.
Hochhalter maintained her independence and pursued her love of playing musical instruments, demonstrating remarkable character in the face of adversity.
As Americans continue to witness horrific mass shootings every year, Hochhalter’s story is a reminder of the human cost behind these tragedies.
Her fellow Columbine victims include Cassie Bernall, Steve Curnow, Corey DePooter, Kelly Fleming, Matt Kechter, Daniel Mauser, Daniel Rohrbough, William “Dave” Sanders, Rachel Scott, Isaiah Shoels, John Tomlin, and Kyle Velasquez.
These lives were all cut tragically short by the senseless violence that continues to impact families and communities decades later.
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