A suburban Denver high school student who was shot in the head by a classmate died, hospital officials and her family said.
Claire Davis, 17, was in critical condition after being shot at point-blank range at Arapahoe High School on December 13.
"It is with heavy hearts that we share that at 4:29 p.M. this afternoon, Claire Davis passed away, with her family at her side," a statement from Littleton Adventist Hospital said yesterday.
"Despite the best efforts of our physicians and nursing staff, and Claire's fighting spirit, her injuries were too severe and the most advanced medical treatments could not prevent this tragic loss of life. Claire's death is immensely heartbreaking for our entire community, our staff and our families."
The Davis family said in a statement that they are grateful for the 17 years they had with their daughter. "The grace, laughter and light she brought to this world will not be extinguished by her death; to the contrary, it will only get stronger," the statement said.
The family said they appreciated the outpouring of support from the community and thanked the efforts of law enforcement, school officials and medical staff.
Friends and well-wishers had posted prayers online and raised money to help pay for Claire Davis' medical care in days following the shooting.
The Denver Foundation said a fund had been created honoring her that would support the high school and community in programs for mental health, anti-bullying and other needs. Karl Pierson, 18, shot Davis, who just happened to be sitting nearby with a friend as Pierson, armed with a shotgun, ammunition strapped to his body, Molotov cocktails and a machete, entered the school and headed toward the library. Davis appeared to be a random target, Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson has said.
Pierson likely intended to track down a librarian who had disciplined him, but Robinson said Pierson's arsenal suggested Pierson intended to hurt many others at the school just 13 kilometers from Columbine High School, the site of a 1999 massacre in which two student gunmen killed 12 students and a teacher before killing themselves.
