27: Patrick Ireland

 

27 years ago today (April 20, 1999) The Columbine Massacre happened at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.

13 Students and 1 Teacher were murdered.

23 Students were wounded.

One of those who was wounded was Patrick Ireland.

Patrick was 17 years old in 1999.

He was in the Library when the Shooting took place.

He had gone there to finish his Homework.

He sat down at a table where Corey DePooter and Austin Eubanks were already seated. They were soon joined by Daniel Steepleton and Makai Hall.

Shortly after a Teacher ran in shouting that 2 Students had guns and were shooting.

Patrick, Makai and Dan got under the table to hide (Corey and Austin hid somewhere else.)

Then the Shooters entered the Library and started shooting at People.

Patrick looked over at Makai and saw blood flowing from the his right knee and more on Dan's foot.

Patrick moved between the two with the idea to provide first aid to Makai.

 He reached out to put his hand on Makai's wound to apply pressure and blacked out.

Patrick had been shot twice in the head and again in the foot, though he had no memory of being shot.

Patrick passed in and out of consciousness for two hours on the floor of the Library.

The fire alarm finally woke him.

He tried to stand up but couldn’t.

He could only use his left arm and his left leg and crawled to a window 50 feet away that had been broken when the Shooters were shooting at the Police outside – passing the bodies of dead Students.

Patrick eventually got to the window, leaned up and jumped out into the SWAT Team waiting outside.

It is believed that if Patrick had waited inside the Library to be rescued he would have died.

He was treated for two gunshot wounds to the head and one to the right foot as well as a laceration to his right inner elbow.

He was later moved to Craig Hospital for Spinal and Cerebral Rehabilitation.

He had to relearn how to walk, talk and read.

He returned to Columbine High School that Fall using a cane to help him walk.

In September 2000 he was elected Homecoming King.

He graduated from Columbine High School in May 2000 as Co-Valedictorian.

He went on to study Business Finance at Colorado State University,

Patrick is married to his Wife, Kacie, and they have 3 Children.