Students Walk Out of Colorado School Shooting Vigil, Saying Their Trauma Was Being Politicized

HIGHLANDS RANCH, Colo. – Gun rights advocates posted support on social media Thursday for students who walked out of a gun-control rally in anger and tears over concerns the event inappropriately politicized their grief.

The event Wednesday was primarily billed as a vigil to honor Kendrick Castillo, who was fatally shot in a rampage by two students at the STEM school here. Speakers at the school’s packed gymnasium, however, were mostly politicians and advocates pressing Congress for more restrictive gun laws.

After about 30 minutes, hundreds of students from the STEM School stormed out yelling “this is not for us,” “political stunt” and “we are people, not a statement.”

Outside, the traumatized shooting survivors thrust lighted cellphones into the air and chanted “mental health, mental health,” as their hands and voices shook in the cold rain. Angry students pushed and screamed at journalists, demanding to see photos they had taken.

Frustrated, crying and angry, #STEMschool shooting victims hold an impromptu vigil in the rain Wednesday after leaving a gun-control vigil they felt inappropriately politicized their trauma. (They asked that I not photograph their faces close up, and I respected their wishes.) pic.twitter.com/cksRXGtYQA

— Trevor Hughes (@TrevorHughes) May 9, 2019

Oops: Democrat Brags About Jasmine Crockett Endorsement with a Photograph of a Completely Different Black Woman

Bannon calls Ben Shapiro a ‘cancer’ in Turning Point conference speech

Trump administration touts ‘most secure border in history’ as 2.5 million migrants exit US

DOJ’s Epstein disclosure draws fire for website glitches, missing documents, redactions

Here is what‘s in the Department of Justice’s latest Epstein files drop

Bill Gates Pictured with Females in New Epstein Files Photo Release

New Epstein files reveal photos of Bill Clinton posing with unidentified women

Just In: Epstein File Dump Features Bill Clinton Next to Redacted ‘Victims and/or Minors’ in Multiple Pics

White House pressures Smithsonian for internal records, warns funding could be withheld: report

Brown University, MIT shooting suspect likely died days before body found: autopsy

New Epstein documents include photos of Bill Clinton shirtless in hot tub, socializing with Michael Jackson

BREAKING: US Launches Strikes on Syria in Response to Killing of 2 American Soldiers

Christian Media Company Moves Into Gaming with Interactive Bible-Focused Video Game

Fox News Politics Newsletter: Trump admin targets Maduro’s inner circle, family

Wife of NASCAR Driver Greg Biffle Sent a Foreboding Text Message from Plane Minutes Before Fatal Crash: Report

Interview requests made by a USA TODAY reporter were rebuffed; multiple students said they had agreed not to talk to journalists.

Many students appeared unaware the event was organized by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence. Sen. Michael Bennet and Rep. Jason Crow, both Democrats, both spoke at length about the need for federal action. The Brady Campaign invited reporters to cover the event.

The students drew plenty of support on social media.

“These politicians remind me of ambulance chasers,” posted a Utah woman. “Ready to pounce on the next big shooting with their gun control agenda.”

A Colorado woman posted: “Love this so much! I’m so proud of these students! After some rough political months here in Colorado this was a welcomed sight & hope for our future!”

In an apology issued afterward, the Brady Campaign said all efforts should be focused on supporting the STEM students, families and faculty members.

“We are deeply sorry any part of this vigil did not provide the support, caring and sense of community we sought to foster and facilitate and which we know is so crucial to communities who suffer the trauma of gun violence,” the statement said.

Some STEM students and family members held a private vigil earlier in the day. They said the public and journalists were kept out to permit anguished students and their parents a chance to grieve together away from the media spotlight into which they have unwillingly been thrust.