One of the most horrific tragedies in our nation's history occurred on April 20, 1999. in Columbine, Colorado teenagers, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris packed their backpacks with guns and ammunition and headed to their school, Columbine High School. The boys stormed the west side of the school and began shooting students. By the time it was over, 12 students and one teacher was killed and 25 others were injured (Larkin, 2007). Dylan and Eric killed themselves as well, leaving us with the mystery of behind their actions. .
According to investigative reports, the boys carried two- 20-pound propane bombs in duffle bags and placed them in the cafeteria where it is believed to have potentially killed over 400 students if the bombs would have exploded. After placing the bags in the cafeteria, the boys went outside to their cars and waited for the explosion. After waiting several minutes, the boys decided to take measures into their own hands. Wearing long black trench coats each boy stormed the high school with a 9-mm semi-automatic and a 12-gauge double barrel sawed-off shotgun (Larkin, 2007). Along with the guns, the boys wore black gloves, utility belts with ammunition, pocket knives and carried a duffle bag full of Molotov cocktails, which are homemade bombs. .
Approximately, at 11:19am two bombs planted in a nearby field outside the school exploded. The explosion was to create a distraction for police officers. Immediately after the field explosion, Dylan and Eric began to open fire on student's enjoying lunch in the cafeteria. The first victim was Rachel Scott a 17-year old senior who was expected to graduation in two months. According to many of the students in the cafeteria when the first shots fired, no one realized what was going on. Many of the students believed Dylan and Eric were playing a "senior prank", so many of he students continued to eat and go about their business.
