Claire Davis, 17-Year-Old Colorado School Shooting Victim Dies

Claire David, the 17-year-old victim of the Colorado school shooting, has died at the hospital where she was being treated for an injury to the head.

On Saturday, her family used the Facebook account for the Littleton Adventist Hospital to make the sad announcement:

“It is with unspeakable sadness that we write and say that Claire has passed away from the gunshot wound she received at Arapahoe High School on December 13.”

“Although we have lost our precious daughter, we will always be grateful for the indelible journey she took us on over the last 17 years – we were truly blessed to be Claire’s parents. 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.”

On December 13, senior Claire Davis was shot by Karl Pierson, 18, after he walked into Arapahoe High School looking for one of the teachers.

“It is with heavy hearts that we share that at 4:29 pm this afternoon, Claire Davis passed away, with her family at her side,” a statement from Littleton Adventist Hospital said.

At the time of the school shooting Claire Davis happened to be just sitting in the killer’s way with a friend, according to police reports. She had no chance to get away.

An armed officer, who was in the building when Pierson started randomly shooting down the hallway is credited from preventing an even bigger massacre when he chased down the suspect, who when confronted killed himself.

Claire Davis had been in a coma, ever since the attack eight days ago.

The community had rallied to support the Colorado shooting victim’s family holding vigils, and raising funds to pay for the escalating medical bills.

Claire Davis was described as a sweet girl who loved horses, was a good student, and was a big fan of the British boy band One Direction.

Through Twitter, her friends reached out to the band, who recorded a 13-second message which they sent directly to Claire Davis’ parents.

Pierson’s parents, Barbara and Mark Pierson, issued a statement expressing deep regret for their son’s actions last week.

“We cannot begin to understand why Karl did what he did. For the entire Arapahoe High School community, as we know your lives are forever changed by this horrific event.”

According to the hospital’s Facebook page, a public celebration of Claire’s life will be announced later. The hospital will continue to accept cards for the Davis family in the “Cards for Claire” box at its main entrance.

The Arapahoe school shooting in which Claire Davis was killed came a day before the one-year anniversary of the Sandy Hook Elementary School massacre in Newtown, Connecticut, where a gunman killed 20 small children and six adults.

[Image via NBC News/Arapahoe County Sheriff Grayson Robinson holds a picture of Claire Davis