The image showcases a grand old building captured in black and white, enhancing its historic and architectural beauty. The facade is adorned with multiple rows of symmetrically aligned windows and decorative stonework, typical of neoclassical design. Bare trees in front of the building add a stark, dramatic touch to the scene, suggesting a chilly or autumnal setting. The building is labeled "Gymnasium," indicating its use as a high school or academic institution in a European city.

Columbine Shooting: Timeline, Causes, and Lasting Consequences

Fahad Hizam alHarbi Fahad Hizam alHarbi

Updated: August 23, 2025

Introduction

On April 20, 1999, a devastating school shooting took place at Columbine High School in Colorado. Fifteen people, including the perpetrators, were killed. The attack is often called the Columbine High School Massacre. It was carefully planned and involved firearms, explosives, and diversions meant to cause confusion. The two gunmen—seventeen-year-old Dylan Klebold and eighteen-year-old Eric Harris—ended the attack by committing suicide. This tragedy raised lasting questions. For example, why did the Columbine shooting happen? What was the Columbine shooting motive? Was Columbine the first school shooting? If you are asking what year did Columbine happen, the answer is 1999. The Columbine High School Massacre start date and time were April 20, 1999, at 11:19 a.m.

The Attack

The attack lasted less than an hour, starting at 11:19 a.m. and ending with the perpetrators’ suicide at 12:08 p.m. Harris and Klebold first fired outside the cafeteria. Then, they moved into the building, killing and injuring classmates and staff. Propane bombs placed in the cafeteria failed to explode, preventing greater loss of life.

Police were on the scene within minutes. However, tactical teams delayed entry as they tried to assess the situation. The SWAT team entered after 47 minutes, and the school was declared safe nearly five hours later (Nock, 2014, p. 434). Because of these delays, this timeline is often studied as a key example in modern crisis response.

Quick Facts: Columbine

  • Location: Columbine High School, Jefferson County, Colorado
  • Start date/time: April 20, 1999, 11:19 a.m. (the Columbine High School Massacre start date)
  • End time: 12:08 p.m.
  • Perpetrators: Eric Harris (18) and Dylan Klebold (17)
  • Victims: 13 killed, more than 20 injured
  • Also known as: the Columbine High School shooting or simply Columbine

The Young Perpetrators

A year before Klebold and Harris became household names as the Columbine gunmen, they were arrested for theft and sentenced to a juvenile diversion program (Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press, 2002). Their journals and online writings showed anger, violent fantasies, and detailed plans for mass killing.

Just a few months before the shooting, the parents of a Columbine High School student filed a report with the Sheriff’s Office stating that Harris had threatened to kill their son and had posted violent content online. Tragically, their son was later killed in the Columbine shooting (Toppo, 2009).

Harris and Klebold acquired their guns from Mark Manes, who was subsequently sentenced to six years’ imprisonment (Simpson, 1999).

Why Did the Columbine Shooting Happen?

There is no single explanation for why Columbine happened. Instead, researchers and investigators describe several overlapping causes:

  • Mental health: Both shooters showed signs of depression, hostility, and suicidal thoughts. They were prescribed antidepressants and wrote often about violence (Brian Lickel, 2003).
  • Planning and ideology: Their notes and videos revealed a strong desire for notoriety and destruction. Their preparations showed that the Columbine shooting motive was more than anger. It was a mix of planning, ideology, and a drive for recognition.
  • Bullying and school climate: Some accounts suggest the attack was revenge for bullying. However, others, such as David Cullen in his book Columbine (2010), argue Harris and Klebold were also bullies themselves. This makes the bullying explanation less clear.
  • Media and subculture: Violent video games and goth culture were often blamed. Harris and Klebold were avid players of violent games and even created a project that involved a shooting scenario. Yet experts say these influences were secondary rather than main causes.

Other Culprits: Poor Mental Health, Video Games, and Goth Culture

Beyond bullying, mental health struggles were a major concern. At the time of the attack, Klebold and Harris were on anti-depressants and were believed to be contemplating suicide. They had also discussed killing others and themselves (Brian Lickel, 2003).

Many people also linked their actions to video games and goth culture, pointing to their dark clothing and interest in Marilyn Manson’s music. However, while these elements shaped their identity, they do not fully explain their decision to attack.

Was Columbine the First School Shooting?

No. Columbine was not the first school shooting in the United States. Other shootings had taken place decades earlier. However, what made Columbine different was its scale, planning, and the worldwide media coverage that followed. Therefore, when people ask “was Columbine the first school shooting,” the answer is no. Still, it became the most defining and influential case in modern history.

The Consequences of Columbine

The mass shooting at Columbine changed schools in the United States forever. Schools implemented zero-tolerance policies regarding harassment and bullying, and they enforced stricter gun control measures. In addition, SWAT teams began to train regularly for active shooter situations in schools and universities (Glenn W. Muschert, 2010).

For example, schools across the country introduced lockdown drills and anonymous reporting systems. Counseling and prevention programs also grew in response to lessons from Columbine.

Media and Public Reaction

The Columbine school shooting dominated global news. Media coverage was intense and constant. It also created myths, such as the belief that Harris and Klebold were only victims of bullying or that music alone drove their actions.

In addition, some reports gave too much attention to the perpetrators. Experts believe this inspired later copycat attempts. Overall, the tragedy showed why responsible reporting is crucial when covering mass violence.

Legacy and Continuing Questions

More than twenty years later, the Columbine High School shooting is still one of the most studied tragedies in the United States. It continues to raise questions: why did Columbine happen, what lessons have been learned, and what risks remain?

While crisis response and prevention strategies have advanced, challenges with mental health care, firearm access, and school culture are ongoing. As a result, the Columbine High School Massacre remains a reference point in every discussion about school safety in America and worldwide. Today, schools continue to use drills, community programs, and preventive strategies developed in response to Columbine.

Works Cited

  • Brian Lickel, T. S. (2003). A Case of Collective Responsibility: Who Else Was to Blame for the Columbine High School Shootings? Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin, 194–204.
  • Cullen, D. (2010). Columbine. Twelve.
  • FBI. (2018, March 1). Columbine High School. Retrieved from FBI.gov
  • Glenn W. Muschert, A. A. (2010). The Columbine effect and school antiviolence policy. Social Problems and Public Policy, 117–148.
  • Nock, M. K. (2014). The Oxford Handbook of Suicide and Self-injury.
  • Reporters Committee for Freedom of the Press. (2002, November 6). District attorney releases Columbine gunman’s juvenile records.
  • Simpson, H. P. (1999, November 13). Judge gives Manes 6 years. Retrieved from Denver Post.
  • Toppo, G. (2009, April 13). 10 years later, the real story behind Columbine. Retrieved from USA TODAY.

Further Reading

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