Was There Any Sympathy in the Tragedy at Columbine?

The question often posed is whether the Columbine school shooters, Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris, targeted some of their friends during the horrific incident. A thorough review of the case and survivor accounts reveals a complex and disturbing picture.

The Question Answered

None of the people killed in the shooting were friends of the shooters, according to available information. However, it is imperative to explore if any of the survivors' claims have a grain of truth in them regarding the shooters' intentions.

Did the Shooters Show Any Sympathy?

Survivor accounts indicate that the shooters did not hesitate to plant bombs or initiate the shooting without apparent regard for anyone, friend or foe. A classmate, Brooks Brown, reported that Harris (one of the shooters) seemed unconcerned despite a recent dispute.

Furthermore, evidence suggests that the shooters were more concerned with fulfilling their predetermined agenda than seeking any form of reconciliation or understanding. They employed a well-laid plan involving sawed-off shotguns, explosives, and semi-automatic weapons to execute their scheme. There is no indication that they planned to spare anyone, including individuals with whom they might have had friendships.

Friendship and Enmity in Columbine

There were moments when the shooters appeared to value friendships. Dylan was close with two girls: Robyn and Devon. However, it's important to note that personal proximity does not equate to affection or care during critical moments. Before the incident, Dylan expressed yearning for love and friends, and Eric similarly sought connections. Yet, their actions do not reflect this emotional understanding.

A specific incident involving Lance Kirklin and Christopher Graves highlights the cold, calculating nature of the shooters. Despite knowing that Lance was wounded and panting for help, Klebold shot him. Later, Klebold stepped over the paralyzed Graves, who had likened himself to a "dead man," emphasizing the indifference to human life exhibited by the shooters.

Survivor Accounts Versus Reality

Survivor claims of having had friends among the shooters are often met with skepticism. For instance, many survivors believe that the shooters made some individuals leave before the events unfolded. However, these claims lack concrete evidence and could be attributed to the shooters' calculated fearlessness.

Another pertinent detail is that if the bombs had detonated as intended, it could have resulted in the death of every individual in the school. This further underscores the absence of mercy in their actions, not just towards enemies but towards anyone within the vicinity.

Reflections on Friendship and Hatred

What the Columbine incident reveals is a deeply troubling disregard for human life, irrespective of personal relationships. Questioning whether friends among the victims might have been spared strengthens the argument that the shooters showed no mercy, not even to those they might have considered acquaintances or friends.

In conclusion, the evidence points towards a systematic and calculated approach devoid of care for personal relationships, emphasizing the profound loss of empathy and compassion exhibited by the shooters. If such actions happened in the case of someone's best friend or family, most would act similarly, driven by the intensity of the situation.