Rachel Joy Scott (August 5 1981 - April 20 1999) was was the first victim of the Columbine High School massacre. She has since been the subject of several books and some American Christians have come to see her as a martyr.

Scott lived in Littleton, Colorado, where she attended Columbine High along with her younger brother, Craig.

In the aftermath of the massacre, it was claimed that the gunmen, after having shot her in the leg while she was eating lunch, just outside the cafeteria, but before kiling her with a point-blank shot to the temple, had asked Rachel if she believed in God, and that she had answered "yes". However, an official investigation into the shooting, published eight months after the event, only substantiated the claim that another student, Valeen Schnurr, had been asked that question and responded that way [1]. In the meantime however Rachel's parents had authored a book entitled "Rachel's Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott" (ISBN 0785268480). The martyr sobriquet has stuck, especially amongst devout Christians in the Bible Belt, and the reports remain in wide circulation.

Following his daughter's death, Rachel's father Darrell, a devout Christian and son of a pastor, co-authored three books about Rachel's spirituality. He also resigned his job as a salesman and set up The Columbine Redemption, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to "motivate, educate and bring positive change to many young people" ([1]). As part of this work he tours the country speaking at churches, high schools and youth centers ([1]). Rachel's mother participates in similar programs ([1]).

Table of contents
1 See also
2 External links
3 Books published by Rachel's parents

See also

External links

Books published by Rachel's parents

  • The Journals of Rachel Joy Scott: A Journey of Faith at Columbine High, Beth Nimmo, 2001, ISBN 0849975948
  • Rachel's Tears: The Spiritual Journey of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott, Beth Nimmo, Darrell Scott, Steve Rabey with Scott Rabey, 2000, ISBN 0785268480.
  • Rachel Smiles : The Spiritual Legacy of Columbine Martyr Rachel Scott, Darrell Scott, 2002, ISBN 0785264728
  • Chain Reaction A Call To Compassionate Revolution Darrell Scott, Steve Rabey, 2001, ISBN 0785266801