Columbine: 14 Years Later

On April 20, 1999, beginning at approximately 11:19 a.m., seniors Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold set off bombs and fired guns at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. The massacre has become one of the most infamous mass shootings in United States history. During their rampage, 12 students and one teacher were killed, and over 20 more students were wounded. The rampage ended around 12:08 p.m., when the two gunmen took their own lives.

Columbine forever changed society's perception about children and schools. Debates broke out over bullying, video games and music, gun control, psychopathy and psychiatric medications, and more as the country searched for the rationale behind the massacre.

One year after the tragedy, President Clinton sent a message to the Littleton, Colorado community: "Our hearts have not yet fully healed, but today America stands together as one to keep faith with all those who lost their lives at Columbine - and all those whose lives were forever changed that day. We must continue to honor their memory and your courage by resolving to make America a safer place for all our children."

For resources on this tragic event and other school-related issues such as bullying, school safety and preparedness, violence prevention, and school vulnerability assessments, please see the HSDL's School Violence Featured Topic (login required).

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