We were stunned by the shooting death last month of Rashad Williams, who, as a 15-year-old San Francisco area track star, was so touched by the plight of Columbine High School shooting victim Lance Kirklin that he raised $40,000 to help defray the Colorado boy’s medical bills.
Williams became nationally known by running the Bay to the Breakers race in San Francisco in May 1999 to raise money for Kirklin, who was horribly wounded in the face by Columbine killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold on April 20, 1999. More than 20 students were wounded, and 12 students and one teacher were killed, in the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history. The image of Williams hugging Kirklin, 16, when the two first met is etched in the national memory.
Sadly, Williams’ life took a sharp turn in recent years, and he was facing imprisonment for bank robbery in Contra Costa County, Calif., when he was shot during an alleged home invasion Dec. 7 to steal drugs.
We mourn the death of Rashad Williams, and that the streets ultimately claimed the life of a good-hearted and promising young man.
