Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold
Duo who carried out the Columbine High School massacre.
Eric David Harris and Dylan Bennet Klebold were the perpetrators of the Columbine High School massacre, an attack in which they killed thirteen students and one teacher, and wounded twenty-three others before dying by suicide in the school library. At the time, it was the deadliest high school shooting in American history, and the resulting media frenzy and moral panic made the event a byword for school shootings. The two met in middle school and became increasingly close; by their junior year of high school, they were considered best friends who were highly dependent on each other. Initial reports portrayed them as unpopular and frequent targets of bullying, though many classmates later stated they were not at the bottom of the social hierarchy and had numerous friends. The school was alleged to have a strong “jock culture” that favored athletes. Harris and Klebold often wore black trench coats, leading to the mistaken belief they were part of a clique called the “Trenchcoat Mafia,” a group with which they had little actual affiliation. They appear to have begun planning the attack nearly a year beforehand, secretly building explosives and amassing weapons. Both left journals and video recordings foreshadowing the massacre, intending for this material to inspire followers. The FBI concluded that Harris exhibited psychopathic traits such as narcissism and lack of empathy, while Klebold was described as an angry depressive with a vengeful attitude. However, neither had been formally diagnosed with personality disorders, and these conclusions remain debated. The exact motive for the attack remains inconclusive, though various factors including bullying, mental illness, and media violence have been cited. Harris and Klebold have become figures in popular culture, and some subsequent attackers have cited them as an influence, a phenomenon known as the “Columbine effect.”
- died
- April 20, 1999, Columbine High School, Littleton, Colorado
- field
- Mass murder
- nationality
- American
- known_for
- Perpetrating the Columbine High School massacre
Lore & Background
Harris and Klebold met while attending middle school and gradually became close. By their junior year of high school, they were described as best friends who were dependent on one another. Early reports characterized them as unpopular and frequent targets of bullying, though many peers later stated they were not near the bottom of the school's social hierarchy, as both had numerous friends and active social lives. Columbine High School was alleged to have an intense 'jock culture', and the two often wore black trench coats, leading to initial beliefs they were part of a clique called the 'Trenchcoat Mafia', which was later found unsubstantiated. Over the following eleven months, they secretly built explosives and amassed an arsenal of weapons, planning to attack in April 1999, just weeks before their graduation. Both left behind journals and video recordings that foreshadowed the massacre and provided insight into their rationale, intended to be widely viewed and inspire followers, though much has never been released. The FBI concluded in May 2000 that Harris exhibited psychopathic traits, while Klebold was described as an angry depressive with a vengeful attitude, but these conclusions remain debated as neither was formally diagnosed during their lifetimes.
Reader's Guide
The Columbine massacre, perpetrated by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, marked a turning point in American public consciousness regarding school shootings. The event triggered intense media coverage and moral panic, with 'Columbine' becoming a byword for such attacks. In the years after, news outlets and commentators attributed the attack to various motivating factors including bullying, mental illness, racism, psychiatric medication, and exposure to violence in media, but the exact motive remains inconclusive. Harris and Klebold have become figures in popular culture, portrayed and alluded to in various media. Some perpetrators of subsequent attacks have cited the duo as an influence, a phenomenon commonly referred to as the 'Columbine effect'. Their legacy is thus one of both tragedy and a lasting, complex impact on public discourse around school violence, mental health, and media influence.
Did You Know?
- Harris underwent two surgical operations to correct pectus excavatum, a congenital condition in which the breastbone sinks into the chest.
- Klebold was treated for pyloric stenosis as an infant, a condition causing severe vomiting during the first few months of life.
- The FBI concluded in May 2000 that Harris exhibited psychopathic traits, including narcissism, unconstrained aggression, and a lack of empathy, while Klebold was described as an angry depressive.
- Both left behind journals and video recordings intended to be widely viewed and to inspire followers, though much of this material has never been released by authorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold?
They were two American teenagers who carried out the 1999 Columbine High School shooting in Littleton, Colorado. The attack killed 13 students and one teacher, wounded 23 others, and ended with both perpetrators dying by suicide at the scene.
What was the immediate impact of the Columbine massacre?
At the time it stood as the deadliest high school shooting in U.S. history, with 14 fatalities and 23 additional injuries. The event triggered a nationwide media response and a sustained public debate over school safety, gun access, and youth mental health.
Why is the Columbine event historically significant?
It reshaped American discourse on school security, the media's handling of mass-casualty events, and the broader cultural conversation around violence among young people. The name 'Columbine' became a widely recognized shorthand for school shootings in the years that followed.
What happened to Harris and Klebold after the shooting?
Both died by suicide inside the school during the attack, so no criminal trial or sentencing ever took place. Their actions remain the subject of extensive forensic, psychological, and sociological study.
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