Columbine High School Shooting
------------------------------------------------Abbi Freeman
What Just Happened???
On April 20, 1999 in Littleton, Colorado, two armed students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold started shooting people at about 11:19 am. In about sixteen minutes, the pair had killed thirteen people (twelve students, one teacher) and hurt even more. Not long after noon the eighteen and seventeen-year old students killed themselves.
Security Camera Film
11:57 AM
Security Camera Film
11:24 AM-
William Sanders shot
William Sanders shot
Security Camera Film
11:24 AM
Here Are the Facts...
1. It is considered the "worst HS shooting in U.S. history."
2. They never specifically figured out why the boys did it, but people think it was because of bullying and being outcasts or even the music, games, movies, etc. influencing them.
3. Dylan and Eric were originally going to bomb the school, but the bombs did not go off.
4. Investigators thought later that the shooters had targeted Christians, minorities, and athletes.
5. SWAT came but never actually came in the school until 3:00 pm.
The Victims
Above is pictured the ones who were fatally shot- a teacher and the twelve students. It is said Cassie Bernall was asked if she believed in God by a shooter, said yes, and then was killed. Her parents wrote a book about it.
Aftermath and the Effects
Because of Columbine, schools have "zero tolerance" rules about violence and bad behavior, the man who sold one of the boys a gun got jail time as well as another man who introduced the guy who sold the gun to the boys. Parents filed suits, many of which were dismissed, and the school opened back for the 1999-2000 school year. Many books have been written, and memorials have been erected, which have been visited especially since 2015 marks the 15th anniversary of the shooting. There were national debates concerning school safety and gun control.