On 19th Anniversary of Shooting, Columbine High School Principal Recalls How God Worked a Miracle
Today marks the 19th anniversary of the horrific shooting at Columbine High School in which 15 people, including the perpetrators, lost their lives. The former principal of Columbine High School recently shared how God looked out for him and students he was trying to protect on that fateful day.
Frank DeAngelis refers to the 13 students and one teacher who died on April 20, 1999 as “the beloved 13.” DeAngelis was also close friends with the teacher, Dave Sanders.
While mourning the loss of these individuals, DeAngelis shared that the death count could easily have been higher.
The Christian Post reports that DeAngelis was in his office when he heard the gunshots. He ran out into the hallway to protect students and saw the shooter about 75 yards away. His plan was to get the students safely into the school’s gym and lock the doors.
Unfortunately, the doors to the gym were locked.
DeAngelis shares what happened next:
“I got them into a hallway and I wanted to get into the gymnasium so we could be behind locked doors. But the doors were locked. And something happened that still gives me chills when I say it. Girls were screaming, the gunman was firing shots and he was getting closer. I go to open the door and it’s locked. I had 35 keys on a key ring and I reached in my pocket and I pulled out a key and it was a key that opened the door on the first try.
“It was not a specially marked key, it wasn’t larger or anything,” DeAngelis continued. “I just reached into my pocket, first try, and I really believe it was divine intervention. If I would have had to fumble around to find the key there’s a good chance the girls and I probably would have died that day.”
Two days after the shooting, DeAngelis was attending a Catholic church service and he says the priest told him, “‘Frank, that day you should’ve died. You encountered the gunman but you survived and God’s got a plan for you…’It’s going to be a tough journey, but God is going to be with you every step of the way.’”
Columbine High School is closed today in honor of those who lost their lives, and a memorial service will be held.
Photo courtesy: ©Thinkstock/Azaliya
Publication date: April 20, 2018
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