Eric Harris, American student and murderer (b. 1981)

The names Eric David Harris (born April 9, 1981, died April 20, 1999) and Dylan Bennet Klebold (born September 11, 1981, died April 20, 1999) are tragically etched into American history as the perpetrators of the horrific Columbine High School massacre. On April 20, 1999, these two senior students unleashed a brutal attack at their school in Columbine, Colorado, United States, resulting in the deaths of 13 individuals and injuries to 24 others. The majority of their victims were killed in the school’s library before Harris and Klebold ultimately took their own lives. This devastating event, at the time, marked the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history and, fueled by intense media coverage and a pervasive moral panic, quickly became one of the most infamous mass shootings ever recorded, profoundly impacting national conversations around school safety and gun control.

The Lives and Evolving Relationship of Harris and Klebold

Both Harris and Klebold were born in 1981, though their early lives presented a contrast in stability. Eric Harris’s childhood involved frequent relocations due to his father’s career in the United States Air Force, beginning with his birth in Wichita, Kansas, before his family eventually settled in Colorado. Dylan Klebold, in contrast, was born and grew up in the vicinity of Columbine, providing him with a more stable, local upbringing. Their paths converged when they met in the 7th grade, and over the subsequent years, their friendship deepened significantly. By their junior year, they were often described as inseparable, a bond that would ultimately lead to a shared, destructive path.

Accounts regarding their social standing at Columbine High School often present a complex and sometimes contradictory picture. Some reports suggest that as upperclassmen, Harris and Klebold were considered unpopular students and frequent targets of bullying, which could have contributed to feelings of alienation and resentment. Conversely, other perspectives indicate they were not at the absolute bottom of the school's social hierarchy and maintained friendships with various peers. This divergence in recollections underscores the difficulty in definitively categorizing their social experiences, highlighting the nuanced and often subjective nature of high school social dynamics.

Planning the Unthinkable: A Year of Preparation

The meticulous planning for the attack, evident from their extensive journal writings, appears to have begun as early as May 1998, nearly an entire year before the massacre. Over the subsequent eleven months, Harris and Klebold dedicated themselves to constructing homemade explosives and accumulating a significant arsenal of weapons. Their preparations were not only practical but also deeply psychological, as they each left behind numerous journal entries and home videos, some created individually and others collaboratively. These disturbing documents served as a chilling foreshadowing of the impending massacre and offered insights into their perceived motives. It was clear from these recordings that Harris and Klebold harbored a desire for their explanations and justifications to be widely seen and understood by the public, though much of this incriminating evidence has never been officially released by authorities.

Dissecting Motives and Debunking Myths

In the immediate aftermath of the tragedy, a widespread belief emerged that Harris and Klebold were affiliated with a supposed school clique known as the "Trenchcoat Mafia." This group was popularly portrayed as a collection of outcasts who rebelled against the school's more popular students. However, subsequent investigations conclusively debunked this myth; neither Harris nor Klebold had any formal or informal association with the group. This misconception highlights how quickly rumors and misinterpretations can take hold during times of crisis and intense public scrutiny.

The extensive writings and videos left by the perpetrators offered crucial, albeit disturbing, insights into their individual rationales and psychological states. Post-mortem psychological profiling conducted by the FBI suggested distinct personalities at play. Eric Harris was characterized as a psychopath, exhibiting a profound lack of empathy, pronounced narcissistic traits, and unrestrained aggression. Dylan Klebold, on the other hand, was assessed as an angry depressive, marked by low self-esteem, significant anxiety, and a deep-seated vengeful attitude toward those he believed had mistreated him. It is crucial to note, however, that neither Harris nor Klebold had received formal diagnoses of any mental illnesses prior to the attack. In the years following the massacre, various media outlets and analysts put forth a multitude of potential motivating factors, including bullying, underlying mental health issues, racism, the influence of psychiatric medication, and exposure to media violence. Despite these extensive efforts to understand, the precise and singular motive for the attack ultimately remains inconclusive, a grim testament to the complexity of human behavior and extreme violence.

A Troubling Legacy in Pop Culture and Beyond

The Columbine massacre and its perpetrators, Harris and Klebold, have regrettably taken on a significant, often disturbing, presence in popular culture. They are frequently portrayed, referenced, or alluded to across various media, including film, television, video games, music, and books. This pervasive cultural footprint extends to a troubling phenomenon where some individuals, particularly other perpetrators of mass violence, have drawn inspiration from the duo, hailing them as heroes, martyrs, or even gods, or expressing profound sympathy for their actions. This tragic ripple effect underscores the complex and often harmful ways such events can resonate. Furthermore, a dedicated, albeit controversial, fanbase, often self-identified as "Columbiners," has emerged. Members of this group engage in activities such as writing fan fiction, creating fan art, and even dressing as Harris and Klebold for cosplay or Halloween, further cementing their problematic place in a niche subculture.

FAQs About the Columbine High School Massacre

What was the date of the Columbine High School massacre?
The Columbine High School massacre occurred on April 20, 1999.
Who were the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre?
The massacre was perpetrated by two senior students, Eric David Harris and Dylan Bennet Klebold.
How many people were killed and wounded in the attack?
Harris and Klebold killed 13 people (12 students and 1 teacher) and wounded 24 others.
Where did the majority of the killings take place within the school?
The majority of the victims were killed in the school's library.
Did Harris and Klebold commit suicide?
Yes, after carrying out the attack, both Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold committed suicide.
Were Harris and Klebold part of the "Trenchcoat Mafia"?
No, investigations concluded that neither Harris nor Klebold had any affiliation with the "Trenchcoat Mafia" group, despite initial widespread belief.
What were the FBI's psychological conclusions about Harris and Klebold?
The FBI concluded Harris was a psychopath (lack of empathy, narcissistic, aggressive) and Klebold was an angry depressive (low self-esteem, anxious, vengeful). These were post-mortem profiles, not formal diagnoses prior to the attack.
What is the definitive motive for the Columbine massacre?
Despite extensive analysis and various theories (bullying, mental illness, media violence, etc.), the exact and singular motive remains inconclusive.
How did the Columbine massacre impact school safety?
The massacre profoundly impacted national conversations around school safety, leading to increased security measures, stricter gun laws in some areas, and a greater focus on mental health support in schools.
What is the "Columbiner" phenomenon?
The "Columbiner" phenomenon refers to a controversial fanbase that romanticizes or sympathizes with Harris and Klebold, often creating fan fiction, fan art, or engaging in cosplay related to them.