BAILEY, Colo.—The family of a 16-year-old girl killed by a gunman at Platte Canyon High School is urging the community to celebrate life, rather than mourn, on Thursday on the first anniversary of her death.
Last Sept. 27, Duane Morrison, a 53-year-old drifter, held seven girls hostage in a classroom for nearly four hours, sexually assaulted them and shot Emily Keyes as a SWAT team moved in. Morrison, who had earlier sent a suicide note to a brother, then killed himself.
In an e-mail, Emily’s father, John-Michael Keyes, urged people to “raise a glass, blow a kiss or give a nod” to mark the anniversary and show their children to live life to the fullest even in the face of uncertainty or loss.
“Some may try to make September 27th a day of somber grieving. Resist. Some may shed a tear, I know I will, but I’ll also revel in having been touched by a smart, fiery, compassionate, stubborn, friendly, tough and fragile, young woman,” Keyes wrote in the e-mail also signed by his wife and Emily’s twin brother, Casey.
The e-mail closed with the line “I love you guys”—the text message Emily Keyes sent from her cell phone to her family during the standoff.
Churches and businesses in Bailey plan a public memorial including a wall of remembrance and a candlelight ceremony Thursday. School officials have said schools would be on a special schedule and closed to the public.
