‘Despicable’: Mass Shooting Survivor Has a Message for Politicians Slamming ‘Thoughts and Prayers’

“Despicable.” That’s how one Columbine survivor framed some of the anti-prayer rhetoric coming from politicians and public figures after the horrific shooting at Annunciation Catholic Church in Minneapolis. Evan Todd, who was shot and injured during the Columbine High School shooting in 1999, said many of those speaking ill of thoughts and prayers fail to understand the importance of invocations. “It’s heartbreaking,” Todd said in response to those decrying thoughts and prayers. “I think [it’s] despicable. I think it’s revealing of the people who are doing it.” Todd said his own story is evidence of just how powerful prayer can...