Exactly 25 years since the Columbine shooting, one survivor who lost his sister discusses letting go of his hate to create change. 

Content warning: This article includes descriptions of violence.

On April 20th, 1999, 16-year-old Craig Scott was being driven to Columbine High School, arguing with her about being late. 

“The last moments that I had with her we're calling her name and slamming a car door shut even though she took the time to drop me off at the front of the school,” he told The Anton Savage Show. 

“I didn't know that'd be the last time I'd spend with her.” 

A few hours later at 11.19am, Rachel was the first person to be killed by the two shooters outside the school library. 

A total of 15 were killed in the massacre, including the shooters who killed themselves, while 24 were injured. 

Mr Scott said he was in the library studying when the shooting began, where the perpetrators eventually entered to “mock or make fun or taunt” students before killing them. 

“At one point they said, ‘Get anyone with a white cap’,” he said. 

“A lot of a lot of jocks at my school, a lot of athletes wear white baseball caps, and I was on the wrestling team. 

“So I took off my white baseball cap and I put it under my shirt, and I just pretended to be dead. 

“I asked God to take away my fear because it was too much for me to handle.” 

Mr Scott’s friends, Isaiah Shoels and Matthew Kechter, were killed in the library. 

Memorial for the victims of the Columbine High School mass shooting. Image: Richard Ellis / Alamy Stock Photo

Although he was unsure whether the shooters had left, Mr Scott was the first person to stand up and helped people escape. 

“As soon as we got to a police car, the shooters shortly after returned to the library,” he said. 

“Then they began to exchange fire with the police, and I realised that we got out of there just in time.” 

25 years after Columbine

25 years later, through his podcast Pain into Purpose and speeches in schools, Mr Scott has focused on students’ mental health and trying to ensure what happened to his sister, friends, peers and teachers would never happen again. 

“The first thing is that you really do have to have a moment of choice where you choose to let go,” he said. 

“If something horrible happens in your life, you need to allow yourself to feel whatever. 

“But there comes a point where you have to make a decision that this the anger and possibly hate or whatever your overwhelming sadness is not going to define the rest of your life.” 

Craig Scott, brother of Columbine victim Rachel Scott speaking at Idaho Centre in Nampa, 18/03/2009. Image: Associated Press / Alamy Stock Photo

Mr Scott and his family founded Rachel’s Challenge, an organisation inspired by her several journals advocating that "compassion is the greatest form of love humans have to offer". 

He said in his work he has met thousands of students inspired by his sister – but has also met people who “idolise” the Columbine shooters. 

“[They] had a lot of hate in their heart,” he said. 

“Because I chose to let go of my hatred towards the shooters, I've been able to reach out to those kids and have an impact. 

“My family's program has stopped school shootings, it stopped thousands of shootings and that's really the thing I'm more focused on. 

“I'm not really trying to stop bad things from happening – I'm trying to speak to the good character and the good that's in all of us. 

“Life is not kind to us, but we still need to make a decision that we're going to be kind to others.” 

Listen back here: