in video games: Only an eighth were fond of violent video games. A larger group--about a third--exhibited violence in their own written assignments or journals. Only an eighth were fond of violent video games. A larger group--about a third--exhibited violence in their own written assignments or journals.

Most perps shared: In many cases, bullying may have played a role: 71 percent of attackers had experienced persecution, bullying, threats, or injury. Initially that sounds dramatic, but the study did not address how many nonattackers suffer that sort of experience; it's pretty commonplace for a high school kid. Several of the shooters experienced severe or long-term bullying, though, and in some cases, it seemed to be a factor in the decision to attack. In many cases, bullying may have played a role: 71 percent of attackers had experienced persecution, bullying, threats, or injury. Initially that sounds dramatic, but the study did not address how many nonattackers suffer that sort of experience; it's pretty commonplace for a high school kid. Several of the shooters experienced severe or long-term bullying, though, and in some cases, it seemed to be a factor in the decision to attack.

suffered a loss or failure: Loss came in different forms: 66 percent had suffered a drop in status; 51 percent had experienced an external loss, which included the death of a loved one but was more commonly being dumped by a girlfriend. The key was that the attacker perceived it as significant and felt his status drop. Loss came in different forms: 66 percent had suffered a drop in status; 51 percent had experienced an external loss, which included the death of a loved one but was more commonly being dumped by a girlfriend. The key was that the attacker perceived it as significant and felt his status drop.

More than half told: There were at least two outsiders in the know 59 percent of the time. Someone had suspected the attack 93 percent of the time. There were at least two outsiders in the know 59 percent of the time. Someone had suspected the attack 93 percent of the time.

The danger skyrockets: The FBI offered this example of a high-risk threat: "At eight o'clock tomorrow morning, I intend to shoot the principal. That's when he is in the office by himself. I have a 9mm. Believe me, I know what I am doing. I am sick and tired of the way he runs this school." The FBI offered this example of a high-risk threat: "At eight o'clock tomorrow morning, I intend to shoot the principal. That's when he is in the office by himself. I have a 9mm. Believe me, I know what I am doing. I am sick and tired of the way he runs this school."

Melodramatic outbursts: Melodrama and wild flourishes of punctuation are common--for example: "I hate you!!!!... You have ruined my life!!!!" Most laymen assume that such drama signals greater danger. That's a common fallacy, the report said. Perpetrators are just as likely to remain calm. No correlation has been established between emotional intensity and the actual danger it foretells. Melodrama and wild flourishes of punctuation are common--for example: "I hate you!!!!... You have ruined my life!!!!" Most laymen assume that such drama signals greater danger. That's a common fallacy, the report said. Perpetrators are just as likely to remain calm. No correlation has been established between emotional intensity and the actual danger it foretells.

A subtler form of leakage: The FBI said a kid had reached the point of leakage when the same ugly ideas grabbed hold of him "no matter what the subject matter, the conversation, the assignment, or the joke." The FBI said a kid had reached the point of leakage when the same ugly ideas grabbed hold of him "no matter what the subject matter, the conversation, the assignment, or the joke."

list of warning signs: The FBI listed criteria in four different areas: behavior, family situation, school dynamics, and social pressures. The behavioral list alone included twenty-eight characteristics. It cautioned that lots of innocent kids exhibited one or two or even several of its warning signs; the key was evidence of a majority of the items from all four areas. The risk factors were also highly correlated with substance abuse. The FBI listed criteria in four different areas: behavior, family situation, school dynamics, and social pressures. The behavioral list alone included twenty-eight characteristics. It cautioned that lots of innocent kids exhibited one or two or even several of its warning signs; the key was evidence of a majority of the items from all four areas. The risk factors were also highly correlated with substance abuse.

A national task force: It included officers involved in Columbine, and leaders in the field, from the Los Angeles Police Department's SWAT team to the National Tactical Officers Association. It included officers involved in Columbine, and leaders in the field, from the Los Angeles Police Department's SWAT team to the National Tactical Officers Association.

CHAPTER 50. THE BASEMENT TAPES.

The first installment: Jeffco showed the Basement Tapes to Jeffco showed the Basement Tapes to Time, Time, then the then the Rocky, Rocky, and then to a small group of reporters at a single screening. I was not included and have not seen them. My depictions came from three sources: a detailed account in the police files, news stories from the reporters who viewed them, and descriptions by Agent Fuselier and Kate Battan, who each studied them for six months. The police report ran ten pages and documented each scene in detail, with extensive quotations. and then to a small group of reporters at a single screening. I was not included and have not seen them. My depictions came from three sources: a detailed account in the police files, news stories from the reporters who viewed them, and descriptions by Agent Fuselier and Kate Battan, who each studied them for six months. The police report ran ten pages and documented each scene in detail, with extensive quotations.

After the initial press showing, Jeffco promised more but never held another. The Klebolds then filed a motion asserting that the tapes belonged to the killers' estates. Other suits followed. Most victims' families eventually fought for release of the tapes. Jeffco worked with the killers' families to suppress them, a legal alliance that infuriated the victims. In December 2002, U.S. District Judge Richard Matsch threw out the copyright claim with an angry rebuke. He called it "a transparent attempt to hide something of public interest." But Stone's department insisted that the killers' words were too dangerous to expose to the public.

A Denver Post Denver Post motion worked its way up to the Colorado Supreme Court. The court ruled against Jeffco. It unanimously declared the material to be public records. Colorado law includes a loophole, though, stating that records may be withheld in cases of "public interest." It was then up to the new sheriff to rule whether the tapes and writings were a risk to the community. He decided that the killers' journals were safe but the Basement Tapes were not. The motion worked its way up to the Colorado Supreme Court. The court ruled against Jeffco. It unanimously declared the material to be public records. Colorado law includes a loophole, though, stating that records may be withheld in cases of "public interest." It was then up to the new sheriff to rule whether the tapes and writings were a risk to the community. He decided that the killers' journals were safe but the Basement Tapes were not. The Post Post chose not to appeal. Any future sheriff has the power to release the tapes at any time. chose not to appeal. Any future sheriff has the power to release the tapes at any time.

The Colorado attorney general's Web site states the following: "The 'public interest' exception is a specific exception in the Open Records Act. According to this law, an agency may hold public records confidential if the records custodian decides that making them available to the public would cause substantial injury to the public interest. This is the case even if the record is something that would otherwise be available to the public under the Open Records Act. The reason this law exists is that the Legislature realizes that there will be situations in which information should be kept private, even though no law specifically states that it is private."

Eric made at least three attempts: Chris later reported the three attempts to police detectives. Chris later reported the three attempts to police detectives.

Zack told the story: But both versions of Zack's account, as recorded in his FBI file, are confusing, so I presented the gist of what he conveyed. But both versions of Zack's account, as recorded in his FBI file, are confusing, so I presented the gist of what he conveyed.

Staff Sergeant Gonzales cold-called: Gonzales had gotten a list of seniors from the high school. Gonzales had gotten a list of seniors from the high school.

Eric hounded Mark Manes: Manes testified about the ammunition at his sentencing hearing. Manes testified about the ammunition at his sentencing hearing.

Eric spent the night at Dylan's: Dylan's parents described the sleepover in their police interview. Dylan's parents described the sleepover in their police interview.

Eric left his microcassette: In its response to the Supreme Court decision, Jeffco ignored the existence of the "Nixon" microcassette. Aside from Eric's odd label and the two sentences recorded in an obscure evidence log, nothing is known about the tape. Even Dr. Fuselier has never heard it. It remains in limbo. The Jeffco sheriff has the power to release it at any time. In its response to the Supreme Court decision, Jeffco ignored the existence of the "Nixon" microcassette. Aside from Eric's odd label and the two sentences recorded in an obscure evidence log, nothing is known about the tape. Even Dr. Fuselier has never heard it. It remains in limbo. The Jeffco sheriff has the power to release it at any time.

CHAPTER 51. TWO HURDLES.

to share his analysis: I interviewed Dr. Ochberg several times and eventually gained FBI approval to speak to Agent Fuselier. We began a series of interviews, and he directed me to the classic books on psychopathy and to other experts brought in by the FBI. After several years of research--while also working on other projects--I published the results in the piece cited in the text. It was called "The Depressive and the Psychopath," and ran in I interviewed Dr. Ochberg several times and eventually gained FBI approval to speak to Agent Fuselier. We began a series of interviews, and he directed me to the classic books on psychopathy and to other experts brought in by the FBI. After several years of research--while also working on other projects--I published the results in the piece cited in the text. It was called "The Depressive and the Psychopath," and ran in Slate. Slate.

the first and only media interview: David Brooks wrote an insightful and empathetic summary of his interviews with Tom and Sue Klebold. He was generous enough to share additional thoughts with me by phone. David Brooks wrote an insightful and empathetic summary of his interviews with Tom and Sue Klebold. He was generous enough to share additional thoughts with me by phone.

Kiekbusch filed a formal objection: The The Rocky Rocky also phoned former sheriff John Stone for a comment. He called the investigation a "bunch of bullshit." He told the reporter he was a "horse's ass" and hung up. The paper printed all that. also phoned former sheriff John Stone for a comment. He called the investigation a "bunch of bullshit." He told the reporter he was a "horse's ass" and hung up. The paper printed all that.

Undersheriff Dunaway told the Denver Post Denver Post he had done nothing wrong and again pointed the finger at Brooks Brown. He repeated, on the record, the old accusation that Brooks had known about the murders in advance. No scrap of evidence has ever come to light supporting that charge. he had done nothing wrong and again pointed the finger at Brooks Brown. He repeated, on the record, the old accusation that Brooks had known about the murders in advance. No scrap of evidence has ever come to light supporting that charge.

Mr. D strode out dressed as Barry Manilow: I attended the assembly. I watched from the bleachers and took photos. I attended the assembly. I watched from the bleachers and took photos.

He lost big: Thomas lost to incumbent Representative Bob Beauprez (R) 55-42 percent, with all precincts reporting. Thomas lost to incumbent Representative Bob Beauprez (R) 55-42 percent, with all precincts reporting.

the Platte Canyon shooting: My depictions of this event came primarily from live television coverage, which I watched and recorded on two stations as it happened, as well as follow-up reports from authorities. My depictions of this event came primarily from live television coverage, which I watched and recorded on two stations as it happened, as well as follow-up reports from authorities.

CHAPTER 52. QUIET.

any crap this might instigate: Dylan's quote was slightly longer, with an inaudible word. Dylan's quote was slightly longer, with an inaudible word.

that fly CD: It's unclear whether he was using "fly" as an adjective (slang for "cool") or a title. In 2008, iTunes listed eighty-eight songs with fly in the title. It's unclear whether he was using "fly" as an adjective (slang for "cool") or a title. In 2008, iTunes listed eighty-eight songs with fly in the title.

The boys wandered: They were observed by numerous witnesses, and surveillance cameras in the commons recorded their activity there, with time stamps. Jeffco released highlight footage, and Agent Fuselier described his impressions of the full tape to me. They were observed by numerous witnesses, and surveillance cameras in the commons recorded their activity there, with time stamps. Jeffco released highlight footage, and Agent Fuselier described his impressions of the full tape to me.

Fuselier and a colleague: I was the colleague. I was the colleague.

found the room quite different: Depictions of the library scene when the killers returned to commit suicide were based on several sources, including: autopsy reports; my interviews with investigators who observed the scene; police video of the room after the bodies were removed; and standard medical information on the decomposition of bodies in the first thirty minutes; and checked with investigators for applicability to the actual conditions in this case. The killers' suicides were reconstructed from testimony, autopsy reports, police diagrams, police reports, and police photos of the killers' bodies. Depictions of the library scene when the killers returned to commit suicide were based on several sources, including: autopsy reports; my interviews with investigators who observed the scene; police video of the room after the bodies were removed; and standard medical information on the decomposition of bodies in the first thirty minutes; and checked with investigators for applicability to the actual conditions in this case. The killers' suicides were reconstructed from testimony, autopsy reports, police diagrams, police reports, and police photos of the killers' bodies.

Patrick Ireland, gently breathing: Patrick went in and out of consciousness. It's possible, though unlikely, that he might have already begun to crawl away from his initial position. There's a remote possibility that he could have been conscious during the suicides. He has no memory of them. Patrick went in and out of consciousness. It's possible, though unlikely, that he might have already begun to crawl away from his initial position. There's a remote possibility that he could have been conscious during the suicides. He has no memory of them.

CHAPTER 53. AT THE BROKEN PLACES.

Two thousand mourners turned out: I attended both events for the memorial, in 2006 and 2007. I attended both events for the memorial, in 2006 and 2007.

They married: Depictions of the wedding came from attendees. Depictions of the wedding came from attendees.

Local churches felt a surge: I interviewed a large number of local pastors about activity in their congregations over the intervening years. The pattern was remarkably similar, and followed historical trends. The Barna Group did a major study on the religious impact of 9/11. It found a similar surge on a national level: half of Americans said their faith helped them cope; church attendance spiked--doubling in some churches the first Sunday; and a sizable minority of people actually altered their core beliefs. The latter change flouted conventional wisdom, though--turning I interviewed a large number of local pastors about activity in their congregations over the intervening years. The pattern was remarkably similar, and followed historical trends. The Barna Group did a major study on the religious impact of 9/11. It found a similar surge on a national level: half of Americans said their faith helped them cope; church attendance spiked--doubling in some churches the first Sunday; and a sizable minority of people actually altered their core beliefs. The latter change flouted conventional wisdom, though--turning away away from fundamentalist beliefs: slightly fewer people believed in an all-powerful God, or in Satan as an actual entity. All the changes disappeared within four months. And five years later, rates on every measure were still indistinguishable from pre-9/11. from fundamentalist beliefs: slightly fewer people believed in an all-powerful God, or in Satan as an actual entity. All the changes disappeared within four months. And five years later, rates on every measure were still indistinguishable from pre-9/11.

When a journalist stopped by: I was the journalist. I was the journalist.

BIBLIOGRAPHY.

In addition to these sources, this book relies on my reporting for several periodicals, published in somewhat different form. The articles appeared in 1999 through 2007 in Salon, Slate, 5280, Salon, Slate, 5280, and the and the New York Times. New York Times. Links to those and online versions of many works below are available on my Web site at Links to those and online versions of many works below are available on my Web site at davecullen.com/columbine. Instructions for obtaining evidence released by Jefferson County and other agencies are also available there.

GOVERNMENT R REPORTS ON C COLUMBINE AND S SCHOOL S SHOOTERS.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. "School-Associated Student Homicide: United States, 1992-2006." Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report 57, no. 2 (January 18, 2008): 33-36. 57, no. 2 (January 18, 2008): 33-36.

EI Paso County Sheriff's Office. Reinvestigation into the Death of Daniel Rohrbough at Columbine High School on April 20, 1990. Reinvestigation into the Death of Daniel Rohrbough at Columbine High School on April 20, 1990. April 10, 2002. April 10, 2002.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. U.S. Department of Justice. Critical Incidence Response Group. National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime. The School Shooter: A Threat Assessment Perspective The School Shooter: A Threat Assessment Perspective, by Mary Ellen O'Toole. 2000.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff's Office Final Report on the Columbine High School Shootings Sheriff's Office Final Report on the Columbine High School Shootings. CD. May 15, 2000.

Lindsey, Daryl. "A Reader's Guide to the Columbine Report." Salon, Salon, May 17, 2000. May 17, 2000. http://archive.salon.com/news/feature/2000/05/17/guide/index.html.

The Report of Governor Bill Owens' Columbine Review Commission. Hon. William H. Erickson, chairman. May 2001.

U.S. Secret Service and U.S. Department of Education. The Final Report and Findings of the Safe School Initiative: Implications for the Prevention of School Attacks in the United States. The Final Report and Findings of the Safe School Initiative: Implications for the Prevention of School Attacks in the United States. May 2002. May 2002.

THE K KILLERS: EVIDENCE R RELEASED.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Laboratory Report Laboratory Report. Released by Jefferson County on May 31, 2000.

Colorado Bureau of Investigation. Laboratory Report Laboratory Report. CD. Released by Jefferson County on February 6, 2002.

Colorado Department of Law, Office of the Attorney General. Columbine-Related Grand Jury Report: Supplemental Attorney General Investigative Report Columbine-Related Grand Jury Report: Supplemental Attorney General Investigative Report. Released on September 16, 2004.

Colorado Department of Law, Office of the Attorney General. Grand Jury Report: Investigation of Missing Guerra Files Grand Jury Report: Investigation of Missing Guerra Files. September 16, 2004.

Colorado Department of Law, Office of the Attorney General. Report of the Investigation into Missing Daily Field Activity and Daily Supervisor Reports Related to Columbine High School Shootings Report of the Investigation into Missing Daily Field Activity and Daily Supervisor Reports Related to Columbine High School Shootings. September 16, 2004.

Columbine High School. Cafeteria Surveillance Tapes Cafeteria Surveillance Tapes. DVD. Released by Jefferson County on June 7, 2000.

Denver Police Dispatch. Denver Dispatch Cassette Tapes Denver Dispatch Cassette Tapes. CD containing seven and a half hours of communication. Released by Jefferson County on March 6, 2003.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. Denver Division. FBI Crime Scene Processing Team Reports and Sketches FBI Crime Scene Processing Team Reports and Sketches. CD. Released by Jefferson County on September 5, 2001.

Federal Bureau of Investigation. Denver Division. FBI Report of Interview with Randy, Judy and Brooks Brown FBI Report of Interview with Randy, Judy and Brooks Brown. CD. Released by Jefferson County on May 22, 2001.

Harris, Eric. Harris Web Site: 1997 Police Report and Web Pages Harris Web Site: 1997 Police Report and Web Pages. CD. Released by Jefferson County on October 30, 2003.

Harris, Eric. Journal, school essays, yearbook inscription, IMs, schedules, and hundreds of other pages of accumulated writing. Included in 936 Pages of Documents Seized from Harris and Klebold Residences/Vehicles 936 Pages of Documents Seized from Harris and Klebold Residences/Vehicles. CD. Released by Jefferson County on July 6, 2006.

Harris, Eric, and Dylan Klebold. Klebold/Harris Footage Klebold/Harris Footage. Contains miscellaneous footage retrieved from Columbine High School or provided by citizens. VHS tape. Released by Jefferson County on February 26, 2004.

------. "Rampart Range" Video "Rampart Range" Video. VHS tape. Released by Jefferson County on October 21, 2003.

Harris, Wayne. Journal. Included in 936 Pages of Documents Seized from Harris and Klebold Residences/Vehicles 936 Pages of Documents Seized from Harris and Klebold Residences/Vehicles. CD. Released by Jefferson County on July 6, 2006.

Jefferson County Coroner's Office. Autopsy Summaries. Released on February 6, 2001.

Jefferson County Coroner's Office, Klebold Autopsy Reports. Released on February 23, 2001.

Jefferson County District Attorney's Office. Juvenile Diversion Program Documents (Harris). Released on November 4, 2002.

Jefferson County District Attorney's Office. Juvenile Diversion Program Documents (Klebold). Released on November 22, 2002.

Jefferson County Juvenile Court. Magistrate John A. DeVita. Hearing Resulting in Assignment to a Diversion Program for Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. March 25, 1998.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Department, Case No. 98-2218, February 24, 1998. Westover Mechanical Services by Ricky Lynn Becker v. Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Arrest report, case synopsis, and supplemental reports about the January 30, 1998, van break-in.

Jefferson County Sheriff's Office. 11,000 Pages of Investigative Files 11,000 Pages of Investigative Files. DVD. November 21, 2000. (The largest single release of police reports.) ------. Additional Investigative Files Additional Investigative Files. Contains CD of additional ancillary reports (tips, Internet pages, threats, and related reports, plus audiocassette of Jefferson County 911 dispatch tape and missed side of tape from previous release) and two large crime scene diagrams. August 8, 2001.

------. Crime Scene Processing Team Reports and Sketches Crime Scene Processing Team Reports and Sketches. CD. Released on June 19, 2001.

------. "Crowd" Video "Crowd" Video. VHS tape. Approximately 38 minutes of crowd footage filmed by the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office Crime Lab outside Columbine High School after 1.00 P.M. P.M. on the day of the shooting. Released on February 26, 2004. on the day of the shooting. Released on February 26, 2004.

------. Evidence Books Evidence Books. CD. Released on May 11, 2001.

------. Jefferson County 911 and Dispatch Audio Jefferson County 911 and Dispatch Audio. Two CDs. Released on August 7, 2000.

------. Miscellaneous Items Miscellaneous Items. CD. Contains the draft search affidavit, audio of the shoot team interviews, written transcript of an interview with Columbine High School community resource officer Neil Gardner, and the executive summary of the library investigative team. Released on April 10, 2001.

------. Miscellaneous Missing Documents Miscellaneous Missing Documents. CD. Released in 2003.

------. Tracking Sheets, Investigative Index and Other Columbine Documents Tracking Sheets, Investigative Index and Other Columbine Documents. CD. Released on January 8, 2003.

------. Warrants Book Warrants Book. CD. Released on June 9, 2003.

Klebold, Dylan. Journal, school essays, yearbook inscription, schedules, and other pages of accumulated writing. Included in 936 Pages of Documents Seized from Harris and Klebold Residences/Vehicles 936 Pages of Documents Seized from Harris and Klebold Residences/Vehicles. CD. Released by Jefferson County on July 6, 2006.

Littleton Fire Department and KCNC-TV. Littleton Fire Department "Training" Video and Raw Helicopter Footage Littleton Fire Department "Training" Video and Raw Helicopter Footage. VHS tape. Released by Jefferson County on April 26, 2000.

THE K KILLERS: PROFILES AND C CHILDHOOD H HISTORY.

Achenbach, Joel, and Dale Russakoff. "Teen Shooter's Life Paints Antisocial Portrait." Washington Post, Washington Post, April 29, 1999. April 29, 1999.

Anton, Mike, and Lisa Ryckman. "In Hindsight, Signs to Killings Obvious." Rocky Mountain News, Rocky Mountain News, May 2, 1999. May 2, 1999.

Bartels, Lynn, and Carla Crowder. "Fatal Friendship: How Two Suburban Boys Traded Baseball and Bowling for Murder and Madness." Rocky Mountain News, Rocky Mountain News, August 22, 1999. August 22, 1999.