One of the survivors of the Columbine High School attack wrote a heartfelt letter to the mother of one of the gunmen, Sue Klebold, ahead of Sue's first TV interview about the shooting.
Anne Marie Hochhalter was left paralyzed by the shooting on April 20, 1999.
She says ABC reached out to her before the 20/20 interview, which airs Friday on Denver7 at 9 p.m.
17 years after Columbine shooting, gunman's mother gives first interview
Hochhalter expressed how much it means to her that the proceeds from Klebold's new book will go toward mental illness. Hochhalter's mother suffered from depression before the shooting and took her own life six months after the attack.
"I think it's appropriate that the program that you are appearing on is named "20/20". Hindsight is truly 20/20 and I'm sure you have agonized over what you could have done differently. I know, because I do the same thing with trying to think of ways I could have prevented my mother's death. I have no ill-will towards you. Just as I wouldn't want to be judged by the sins of my family members, I hold you in that same regard," Hochhalter writes.
The letter ends with a quote: "Bitterness is like swallowing a poison pill and expecting the other person to die."
On Facebook, Hochhalter also shared a picture of a note she received from Sue and Tom Klebold a few months after the mass shooting that left 13 people dead. She describes the letter as genuine and personal.
She said the other shooter's family also wrote her a letter. Hochhalter called that one cold and robotic.
This is Anne Marie's letter in full:
Dear Sue Klebold,
I was injured at Columbine High School in 1999. As you know, your son Dylan, and his classmate, Eric Harris, killed 13 people and then themselves. You are releasing a book called, "A Mother's Reckoning", and are appearing tomorrow on the TV program 20/20 to talk about what happened and what your son did. I have only two instances to form an opinion on you and they are as follows:
1. You and your husband wrote me a letter a few months after I was paralyzed saying how sorry you were. It was genuine and personal. The Harris letter, on the other hand, was four sentences long on a folded up piece of paper, and was cold and robotic. To refresh your memory, your letter read like this:
"Dear Anne Marie,
Our prayers have been with you each day as we read about the terrible ordeal you and your family have experienced. We read that you had been transferred to Craig Hospital, and we were so thankful that you had progressed to the point where you could enter a rehabilitation facility. Though we have never met, our lives are forever linked through this tragedy that has brought unspeakable heartbreak to our families and our community. With deepest humility we apologize for the role our son, Dylan, had in causing the suffering you and your family have endured. Your recovery process will be a long and difficult road, and we hope that the support of people all over the world will help you find strength and courage as you meet the many challenges you have yet to face. When we read reports of your progress, we marvel at your resolve. It is still terribly difficult for us to believe that the son we knew could play a role in causing harm to you and others. The reality that he shared in the responsibility for this senseless tragedy is beyond our comprehension. We offer our love, support, and service as you and your family work to gain control over your lives. May God watch over you during your recovery process and beyond. May each day bring you successes, however small, that bring you hope and encouragement.
Sincerely,
Sue and Tom Klebold
2. I was contacted by ABC to comment for the 20/20 special and they told me that any proceeds from your book (aside from publisher's costs) will go to helping those with mental illness. Six months after Columbine happened, my mother, Carla, committed suicide. She was already suffering from depression so the shootings didn't directly cause her to do what she did, but it certainly didn't help. It means a lot to me that you wouldn't keep those proceeds for yourself, but to help others that suffer from mental illness.
I think it's appropriate that the program that you are appearing on is named "20/20". Hindsight is truly 20/20 and I'm sure you have agonized over what you could have done differently. I know, because I do the same thing with trying to think of ways I could have prevented my mother's death. I have no ill-will towards you. Just as I wouldn't want to be judged by the sins of my family members, I hold you in that same regard. It's been a rough road for me, with many medical issues because of my spinal cord injury and intense nerve pain, but I choose not to be bitter towards you. A good friend once told me, "Bitterness is like swallowing a poison pill and expecting the other person to die." It only harms yourself. I have forgiven you and only wish you the best.
Sincerely,
Anne Marie Hochhalter
Dear Sue Klebold,I was injured at Columbine High School in 1999. As you know, your son Dylan, and his classmate, Eric...
Posted by Anne Marie Hochhalter on Thursday, February 11, 2016
