Cassie Bernall

Cassie René Bernall (November 6, 1981 – April 20, 1999) was a student killed in the Columbine High School massacre, aged 17.

Initial reports suggested that one of the assailants, either Eric Harris or Dylan Klebold, asked Bernall if she believed in God moments before fatally shooting her. She was reported to have answered "yes". This story led to Bernall being presented as a martyr by some Christians, and served as the inspiration for several songs, including Michael W. Smith's "This Is Your Time" [cite web | url = http://weeklywire.com/ww/11-29-99/nash_music-lede.html | title = Songs of Experience: Christian singer looks at life's troubles and offers inspired work | accessdate = 2007-03-20 | last = McCall | first = Michael | date = 1999-11-29 | work = Nashville Scene | publisher = Weekly Wire] and Flyleaf's "Cassie" [cite web | url = http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/FlyleafEP.asp | title = Flyleaf, "Flyleaf EP" Review | accessdate = 2007-03-20 | last = Portell | first = Paul | date = 2005-02-01 | publisher = Jesus Freak Hideout] .

In the months following Bernall's death, her mother, Misty Bernall, authored the book "She Said Yes: The Unlikely Martyrdom of Cassie Bernall" (ISBN 0-7434-0052-6). In this book Misty Bernall discusses her daughter's turbulent teenage life, spirituality, and alleged martyrdom.

However, the official investigation into the shootings concluded that Bernall did not have the exchange. [cite news |author = Cullen, Dave |url = http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/09/23/columbine/ |title = Inside the Columbine High investigation |publisher = Salon.com |date = 1999-09-23 |accessdate = 2006-06-18] Valeen Schnurr, one of the survivors of the Columbine massacre, said in an interview with "Stories for a Teen's Heart" author Janna L. Graber that the question, "Do you believe in God?" was addressed to her, and that she answered in the affirmative. [cite book | last = Gray | first = Alice | coauthors = Graber, Janna L. | year = 1999 | title = Stories for a Teen's Heart | url = http://www.jannagraber.com/triumph_over_tragedycolumbine.htm | accessdate = 2006-06-18 | publisher = Multnomah | id = 1576736466] Witness Craig Scott, brother of Rachel Scott, a girl who was also killed in the massacre, had originally reported that he heard Bernall's voice. When investigators took him back to the scene he indicated that the voice had not come from the area where Bernall had been located. Emily Wyant, who had been sitting with Bernall in the library as the shootings began, asserted that the exchange did not take place. Wyant stated that she and Bernall were studying together when the gunmen broke in. According to her account Bernall exclaimed, "Dear God, dear God! Why is this happening? I just want to go home." Wyant described how Eric Harris suddenly slammed his hand onto the table top and yelled "Peek-a-boo!" before fatally shooting Cassie Bernall. Despite official evidence, eye witness accounts differ, making it hard to differentiate between fact and fiction; thus leaving the prospect of Cassie saying "yes," up in the air and open to interpretation. [cite news |author = Zobra, Wendy Murray |url = http://www.ctlibrary.com/ct/1999/novemberweb-only/11.0.html |title = Cassie Said Yes, They Said No |publisher = Christianity Today |date = 1999-11-01 |accessdate = 2006-06-18] [cite web |url= http://www.suburbanchicagonews.com/beaconnews/lifestyles/300461,2_5_AU18_COLUMBINE_S1.article |title= Columbine survivor recounts shootings |accessdate=2007-03-20 |last= Schweitzer |first= Linda |date= 2007-03-18 |work= The Beacon News |publisher= Sun-Times Media Group]

References

External links

* [http://www.cassierenebernall.org/ cassierenbernall.org, a website established by Bernall's family]
* [http://www.cassiebernall.com official website for "She Said Yes"]
* [http://www.plough.com/ebooks/pdfs/SheSaidYes.pdf text of "She Said Yes" at the Plough Publishing House website]
* [http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/09/30/bernall/ Who said "Yes"?] , "Salon.com".
* [http://www.salon.com/news/feature/1999/05/15/evangelicals/index.html "I Smell the Presence of Satan"] , "Salon.com".
* [http://www.anglicanjournal.com/125/10/af02.html A mother's story] , "Anglican Journal".
* [http://denver.rockymountainnews.com/shooting/1214col1.shtml Biggest question of all] , "Rocky Mountain News".
* [http://www.acolumbinesite.com/victim/memoriam.html#cassie Cassie Bernall, Columbine victim]
* [http://www.flyleafmusic.com/lyrics/cassie.html Lyrics to the song "Cassie" by the band Flyleaf]

Persondata
NAME = Bernall, Cassie René
ALTERNATIVE NAMES =
SHORT DESCRIPTION = Victim of the Columbine High School Massacre
DATE OF BIRTH = November 6, 1981
PLACE OF BIRTH = Wheat Ridge, Colorado
DATE OF DEATH = April 20, 1999
PLACE OF DEATH = Columbine, Colorado