Eric Harris and the Columbine High School Massacre (1999)
Overview
Eric David Harris, along with Dylan Bennet Klebold, carried out one of the deadliest school shootings in United States history on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Harris, born April 9, 1981, was 18 years old at the time of the attack. The incident shocked the nation, prompting discussions about school safety, gun control, and the warning signs of violent behavior. The massacre was meticulously planned for over a year, with Harris and Klebold amassing weapons, ammunition, and explosive devices intended to cause mass casualties.
The Attack
On the morning of April 20, 1999, Harris and Klebold arrived at Columbine High School armed with firearms and several homemade propane bomb devices. The attack began at approximately 11:19 a.m. outside the school cafeteria. The perpetrators first attempted to detonate two large propane bombs in the cafeteria, timed to explode during the busiest lunch period. When the bombs failed to detonate, Harris and Klebold began shooting students outside before entering the school.
Over the next 49 minutes, they roamed the school’s halls, library, and cafeteria, shooting at students and staff. They murdered 12 students and one teacher before turning their guns on themselves at approximately 12:08 p.m. Investigations later revealed that Harris was the more dominant and aggressive planner of the attack, often expressing violent fantasies in personal writings and online postings.
Victims
The following individuals were killed during the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999:
- Rachel Scott, 17 – Killed outside the school.
- Richard Castaldo (wounded) – Shot alongside Rachel Scott outside.
- Daniel Rohrbough, 15 – Shot near the west entrance.
- Sean Graves (wounded) – Injured while attempting to flee.
- Lance Kirklin (wounded) – Shot near the west entrance.
- Kyle Velasquez, 16 – Killed in the library.
- Steve Curnow, 14 – Killed in the library.
- Cassie Bernall, 17 – Killed in the library.
- Matthew Kechter, 16 – Killed in the library.
- Isaiah Shoels, 18 – Killed in the library.
- Lauren Townsend, 18 – Killed in the library.
- John Tomlin, 16 – Killed in the library.
- Corey DePooter, 17 – Killed in the library.
- William "Dave" Sanders, 47 – Teacher and coach, shot while helping students to safety; died later from his injuries.
...Read More
Account
