Columbine Survivor Anne Marie Hochhalter Dies from Gunshot Wounds

Anne Marie Hochhalter, Columbine Survivor, Dies of Gunshot Wounds

Anne Marie Hochhalter, who was left paralyzed after being shot in the 1999 Columbine High School massacre, has died from complications related to her injuries. The Jefferson County Coroner's Office ruled her death a homicide, citing the gunshot wounds as a "significant contributing factor" to her death from sepsis.

Hochhalter was one of 13 people killed in the shooting, along with 12 students and one teacher. She was 17 years old at the time and was eating lunch with friends when she was shot in the back and chest. The injuries left her paralyzed from the waist down and with chronic pain.

Despite her physical limitations, Hochhalter became a vocal advocate for gun violence prevention. She recently appeared at a vigil marking the 25th anniversary of the shooting and wrote a letter to the mother of one of the attackers, expressing her forgiveness and understanding.

Hochhalter's death brings the total number of people who have died from the Columbine shooting to 14. Her brother, Nathan, said that while he knew his sister's life would likely be shorter because of her paralysis, her death was unexpected.

"We didn't think it would be this bad this soon," he said.

Hochhalter's family and friends remember her as a positive and resilient person who fought hard to overcome the challenges she faced. She will be deeply missed.