Columbine High School Massacre
The autopsy reports of the thirteen victims of the April 20, 1999 massacre at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado.
The Day
On Tuesday, April 20, 1999, at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, two seniors — Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold — carried out a premeditated massacre, killing 12 fellow students and one teacher before taking their own lives in the school library. The Columbine High School massacre was the fourth deadliest school massacre in United States history. In addition to the thirteen dead, 24 other students and faculty were injured.
The Victims
- Bernall, Cassie (November 6, 1981 - April 20, 1999) Cassie was an extremely talented and loving student who was active in her church and youth programs. She was hiding in the school library when Harris and Klebold entered at approximately 11:29 a.m. Harris came around the table where Cassie was hiding, slapped the top of it, knelt down and said “Peek-a-boo!” — then fired his sawed-off shotgun under the table.
- Curnow, Steve (August 28, 1984 - April 20, 1999) Steven was an athletic young man who played on the soccer team his dad coached, refereed part-time, and was inspired to join the Navy. An avid moviegoer, he was hiding in the library when Harris walked to the lower row of computer desks where Steven hid and fired, striking him in the neck.
- DePooter, Corey (March 3, 1982 - April 20, 1999) Corey was a former wrestler and an avid golfer and fisherman. He was hiding in the library with his friends Jennifer Doyle and Austin Eubanks when Klebold reached their table, pointed his semi-automatic weapon underneath, and fired — striking Corey in the neck and chest.
- Fleming, Kelly (January 6, 1983 - April 20, 1999) Kelly was a shy and creative girl — an aspiring songwriter and author known for her beautiful poems and short stories. She and her family had moved to Colorado not long before the shootings. She was studying in the library with friends when she was killed.
- Kechter, Matthew (February 19, 1983 - April 20, 1999) Matthew was a smart and talented football player who played both offense and defense for Columbine, and an outstanding student. He was studying in the library when the shootings began and hid under a table alongside teammate Isaiah Shoels. After killing Isaiah, Klebold shot Matthew in the chest and left him to die.
- Mauser, Daniel (June 25, 1983 - April 20, 1999) Daniel was a smart and outstanding sophomore who excelled in mathematics and science, competed on the debate and cross-country teams, and had been named the top biology student of his class — winning the “Stretch for Excellence” award, which he would receive posthumously. He was shot in the face by Harris as he hid under a library table.
- Rohrbough, Daniel (March 2, 1984 - April 20, 1999) Daniel was an energetic and fun young man who loved computer games and electronics. After school he helped his father at the family stereo business and helped his grandfather on the farm. He was walking up the West Staircase with two friends when all three were shot; Daniel staggered down the stairs before Harris approached and shot him again.
- Sanders, William Dave (October 22, 1951 - April 20, 1999) Coach Sanders taught business for 25 years and coached the girls' basketball and softball teams. When the shooting started, he heroically redirected students out of the cafeteria and away from the shooters, saving untold lives. As he told students to get into classrooms and stay out of danger, he was shot from behind.
- Scott, Rachel (August 5, 1981 - April 20, 1999) Rachel was a courageous and talented young woman — an aspiring writer and actress who loved photography, and a deeply spiritual person who wrote in her journals about her wish to “reach the unreached.” On the morning of the shootings, Harris and Klebold opened fire on Rachel and a friend near the West Entrance; moments later one of the shooters came down the hill and shot her at close range.
- Shoels, Isaiah (August 4, 1980 - April 20, 1999) Isaiah was an inspiring young man who overcame adversity — born with a heart defect, he went on to play football and wrestle. He played keyboards and aspired to attend arts college to become a record producer like his father. He was sitting with teammates under a library table when Klebold found them and opened fire.
- Tomlin, John (September 1, 1982 - April 20, 1999) John was an outstanding young man active in church youth groups who once traveled to Mexico to help build housing for the poor. He worked after school at a local nursery, enjoyed four-wheeling, and spent time with his girlfriend. He was studying in the library and hid under a table when the shooters arrived.
- Townsend, Lauren (January 17, 1981 - April 20, 1999) Lauren was an inspiring and brilliant senior — a talented sketch artist, an honor student with straight A's, and captain of the varsity girls' volleyball team. She excelled in biology, hoped to attend Colorado State University, loved animals, and volunteered at a local animal shelter. She was studying in the library with friends when she was killed.
- Velasquez, Kyle (May 5, 1982 - April 20, 1999) Kyle was a gentle and loving young man, devoted to his family. A stroke at birth left him mentally disabled, and he was often ignored or teased at school. He loved computers and was spending his lunch hour at a library workstation when the rampage began — the first victim to die in the library.