Dylan Klebold, American student and murderer (b. 1981)
The names Eric David Harris and Dylan Bennet Klebold are inextricably linked to one of the most tragic and infamous events in American history: the Columbine High School massacre. On April 20, 1999, these two seniors perpetrated a horrific act of violence at their school in Columbine, Colorado. Their actions resulted in the deaths of 13 people and left 24 others wounded. The majority of the victims were killed in the school's library, before Harris and Klebold ultimately took their own lives. At the time, this was the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history, a grim distinction that, combined with an intense media frenzy and a profound national moral panic, cemented its place as one of the most significant and haunting mass shootings ever to occur.

The Perpetrators: Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold

Born in 1981, Eric David Harris (April 9, 1981 – April 20, 1999) and Dylan Bennet Klebold (September 11, 1981 – April 20, 1999) shared a year of birth but had somewhat different early lives. Harris was born in Wichita, Kansas, and experienced a transient childhood due to his father's career in the United States Air Force, which required the family to relocate frequently. Conversely, Klebold was born and raised closer to the Columbine area, providing him with a more stable geographical upbringing. Harris's family eventually settled in Colorado, and it was there, while they were in the 7th grade, that he and Klebold met. Their friendship blossomed over time, deepening significantly, and by their junior year, they were often described as inseparable.

However, the narrative surrounding their social standing at Columbine High School remains complex and contested. Some accounts suggest that as upperclassmen, Harris and Klebold were profoundly unpopular students, frequently targeted by bullies, a theory that gained considerable traction in the immediate aftermath of the tragedy. Other reports, though, paint a different picture, asserting that they were not at the absolute bottom of the school's social hierarchy and each maintained a number of friendships. This divergence in recollections underscores the difficulty in fully understanding their personal and social dynamics leading up to the massacre.

The Road to April 20, 1999

Evidence gleaned from their personal journals indicates that Harris and Klebold began meticulously planning their attack by May 1998, nearly an entire year before the devastating event. Over the subsequent eleven months, their preparations intensified, involving the methodical construction of various explosive devices and the careful accumulation of an arsenal of weapons. Both individuals left behind extensive personal archives, including journal writings and home videos. These recordings, made both individually and together, chillingly foreshadowed the massacre and offered insights into their perceived grievances and motives. Harris and Klebold explicitly hoped that these materials would be extensively viewed by the public, though it is notable that a significant portion of this evidence has never been officially released by authorities.

The Columbine High School Massacre

The morning of April 20, 1999, unfolded into a day of unimaginable horror. Harris and Klebold, armed with a variety of firearms and homemade explosives, launched their assault on Columbine High School. Their rampage led to the deaths of twelve students and one teacher, and inflicted injuries upon two dozen others. The school library became one of the primary sites of their violence, where a significant number of their victims were killed. Following their spree, both perpetrators committed suicide within the school. The immediate aftermath was one of shock and disbelief, a community and nation grappling with an event that, at the time, represented the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history. The incident ignited a widespread media firestorm and prompted a profound moral panic, indelibly marking Columbine as a symbol of gun violence and school safety concerns in America.

Seeking Explanations: Motives and Misconceptions

In the immediate wake of the massacre, a pervasive but ultimately false belief took hold: that Harris and Klebold were members of a supposed school clique known as the "Trenchcoat Mafia." This group was erroneously portrayed as a band of outcasts who rebelled against the school's popular students. However, subsequent investigations conclusively demonstrated that neither Harris nor Klebold had any actual affiliation with this group, debunking a significant early misconception about their motivations and social circle.

The pair's aforementioned writings and videos proved crucial in attempts to understand their rationale. The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) conducted extensive psychological profiling based on these materials. Their analysis concluded that Eric Harris exhibited traits consistent with a psychopath, characterized by a profound lack of empathy, discernible narcissistic tendencies, and unconstrained aggression. Dylan Klebold, on the other hand, was assessed to be an angry depressive, displaying low self-esteem, marked anxiousness, and a vengeful attitude directed towards individuals he felt had wronged him. It is important to note, however, that neither Harris nor Klebold had received any formal diagnosis of mental illness prior to the attack.

Over the years following the tragedy, numerous media outlets and experts have attributed various motivating factors to the attack, often seeking a singular, comprehensive explanation. These theories have encompassed bullying, underlying mental illnesses, racism, the influence of psychiatric medication, and the impact of media violence. Despite the extensive analysis and various conclusions put forward, a definitive and universally accepted motive for the Columbine High School massacre ultimately remains inconclusive, a testament to the complex interplay of psychological, social, and environmental factors at play.

A Troubling Legacy and Cultural Impact

Despite the horrific nature of their actions, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold have, perhaps disturbingly, become figures of pop culture reference. They are frequently portrayed, referenced, or alluded to across various forms of media, including film, television, video games, music, and books, reflecting a morbid fascination with the event and its perpetrators. More troublingly, a significant number of subsequent perpetrators of mass violence, particularly school shootings, have openly drawn inspiration from Harris and Klebold. Some have even hailed them as heroes, martyrs, or gods, while others have expressed profound sympathy for their actions, underscoring a dark and concerning aspect of their legacy.

Furthermore, a dedicated online fanbase has emerged, coining the term "Columbiners" to describe themselves. Members of this subculture engage in activities such as writing fan fiction and creating fan art depicting the duo. Beyond this online community, some individuals have even dressed as Harris and Klebold for cosplay events or Halloween, further illustrating the complex and often controversial ways in which their image and story continue to resonate in contemporary culture.

Frequently Asked Questions About Columbine and Its Perpetrators

Who were Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold?

Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were two American high school seniors who perpetrated the Columbine High School massacre on April 20, 1999, ultimately taking their own lives.

What was the Columbine High School massacre?

The Columbine High School massacre was a mass shooting and attempted bombing that occurred on April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Columbine, Colorado. It resulted in the deaths of 13 people and injuries to 24 others.

How many victims were there in total?

Harris and Klebold killed 13 people (12 students and 1 teacher) and wounded 24 others before committing suicide.

Did Harris and Klebold belong to the "Trenchcoat Mafia"?

No, this was a widespread misconception. Investigations found that neither Harris nor Klebold had any affiliation with the "Trenchcoat Mafia," a group that was erroneously portrayed as their clique.

What were the suggested motives for the attack?

Various motives have been suggested, including bullying, mental illness (Harris as a psychopath, Klebold as an angry depressive), racism, psychiatric medication, and media violence. However, a single, definitive motive remains inconclusive.

Did they leave behind any explanations for their actions?

Yes, both Harris and Klebold left behind journal writings and home videos, made individually and together, which foreshadowed the massacre and offered insights into their motives. Much of this content has not been publicly released by authorities.

What is the "Columbiner" phenomenon?

"Columbiners" refers to a fanbase that has emerged around Harris and Klebold, often creating fan fiction and fan art of the duo, and sometimes dressing as them for cosplay or Halloween.

Was Columbine the deadliest school shooting at the time?

Yes, at the time it occurred, the Columbine High School massacre was the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history.