Columbine High School Massacre

Overview

• Occurred on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School, Colorado, USA.
• Perpetrators: Students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.
• Attack type: School shooting and attempted bombing.
• Resulted in 15 deaths, including the perpetrators, and 23 injuries.
• Motivated changes in school security and police tactics.

Attack Details

• Harris and Klebold planned the attack for about a year.
• Intended to be a bombing primarily; shooting was secondary.
• Multiple homemade bombs planted failed to detonate.
• Attack took place over approximately 49 minutes from 11:19 a.m. to 12:08 p.m.
• Library was the scene of the most fatalities.

Casualties

• 12 students and 1 teacher killed by the perpetrators.
• Harris and Klebold died by suicide in the school library.
• 20 people injured by gunfire, plus 3 others injured trying to escape.

Weapons and Explosives

• Harris: Hi-Point 995 carbine, Savage 67H shotgun, 2 knives
• Klebold: Intratec TEC-9 pistol, Stevens 311D shotgun, 2 knives
• Both carried 99 improvised explosives.
• Planned extensive use of propane bombs and other explosive devices.

Law Enforcement Response

• Criticized for slow response and handling of the situation.
• Led to development of Immediate Action Rapid Deployment tactic for active shooter scenarios.

Impact and Legacy

• Sparked national debates on gun control, school security, bullying, and media influences (e.g., video games and movies).
• Led to changes in police tactics, school security measures, and zero tolerance policies.
• Inspired many subsequent school shootings, termed the "Columbine effect."

Perpetrators’ Background

Eric Harris

• Born in Wichita, Kansas, moved frequently due to father's Air Force career.
• Family settled in Littleton, Colorado in 1993.

Dylan Klebold

• Born in Lakewood, Colorado.
• Family described as pacifists, attended Lutheran church.

Motive and Mental Health

• Motive remains undetermined; no clear reason for targeting specific victims.
• Harris likely exhibited psychopathic traits; Klebold showed signs of depression.

Cultural and Societal Repercussions

• Led to "Columbine" becoming synonymous with school shootings.
• Introduced extensive discussions on mental health, gun culture, and societal influences on youth violence.

Memorials and Remembrances

• Numerous memorials created post-massacre.
• Columbine Memorial opened in 2007, dedicated to victims.

Legal and Public Reactions

• Families of victims filed lawsuits against families of perpetrators and gun suppliers.
• Multiple conspiracy theories emerged around the massacre.

These notes cover the key aspects of the Columbine High School massacre, including the nature of the attack, its impact on society, and the ongoing discussions it sparked about violence, mental health, and security.