However, investigators concluded the person who was asked about her belief in God was Valeen Schnurr, who survived the shooting.

According to her parents, she rebelled as a young teenager and began using drugs, such as alcohol, and at one point she became suicidal.

A year and a half before her death, Bernall decided to go on a weekend church retreat and restored her faith.

[10][11][12] In the following years numerous books—termed "hagiographies" by sociologist Ralph Larkin—were published about Scott and Bernall with the assistance of or authorship by their parents.

In 2015, Rick Santorum used the scenario during a Republican presidential debate, saying "16 years ago this country was tremendously inspired by a young woman who faced a gunman in Columbine and was challenged about her faith, and refused to deny God."

Cassie's friend Emily Wyant, who was next to her in the library when she was shot, also told the family that the question had not been asked.

Despite this, the Bernalls issued a statement standing behind the accuracy of their book, saying they had spoken to four witnesses who had told them that she had defended her faith before being killed.

[9] Bernall's presentation as a Christian martyr has led to her serving as the inspiration for several songs, including Flyleaf's "Cassie"[18] and Michael W. Smith's "This Is Your Time".