Father Of Karl Pierson Publishes Obituary One-Year After Murder-Suicide
Mark Pierson, father of Karl Pierson, published an obituary for his son on the same day a vigil was held to commemorate Claire Davis on the first anniversary of her death. The obituary was published in the Denver Post on Saturday.
“Karl Pierson walked on to the spirit world December 13, 2013. He was a young man full of hope and promise, who lost his way for a moment, but now is found. I love you, I miss you, I forgive you. Dad”
On December 13, 2013, Karl Pierson entered Arapahoe High School in Denver with homemade bombs, 125 rounds of ammunition, a machete, and a shotgun. He intended to kill Tracy Murphy, his debate coach. Instead, he shot Claire Davis, a fellow student, in the head before killing himself.
According to Daily Mail UK, Mark Pierson did not mean to disrespect the victim’s family by posting the obituary on the same day as the vigil. He said that he doesn’t want his son to be remembered for the tragedy, but for the good things he did in life.
“I thought this was a nice tribute. He did some things right in his life. Everyone remembers Karl for the last 80 seconds of his life.”
The New York Daily News reports that Mark said his son was an Eagle Scout and had lots of potential.
According to police reports, Karl had already threatened his debate coach before months before the incident, but the school didn’t take serious action, as administrators saw Karl as low-risk despite angry outbursts and violent behavior. He was also bullied in elementary school.
Claire Davis’ parents said that they have forgiven Karl Pierson for killing their daughter. There were about 400 people who came to the vigil for Claire. Her father said that the vigil was the perfect time to discuss ending violence in schools.
Barbara, Karl’s mother, also released a statement before the vigil, saying that her prayers are with the victim’s family.
“As we come together at this one-year anniversary of the tragic loss of Claire and Karl, and during this time of renewal at Advent, may we find hope in our grief, peace in our fear, joy in our struggles and love in our loss.”
[Image via CBS News]
