Dave Cullen - Columbine

Linda Sanders pulled out of her depression. She still has rough days, but not so often. By 2008, she was dating again.

The memorial felt like the final step. One last controversy marred its completion. In the spring of 2007, as bulldozers carved out the site on the back slope of Rebel Hill, Brian Rohrbough went to battle with the memorial committee. An inner Ring of Remembrance honored the Thirteen in a special way. The larger Ring of Healing that surrounded it would bear quotes from students, teachers, friends, neighbors—everyone touched by the tragedy, whether or not a bullet actually pierced their skin. Each of the thirteen families was allocated a space on the inner ring for a large inscription in the brown marble to remember their child, father, or spouse. They were asked to keep it tasteful and respectful.

Twelve and a half families agreed. Sue Petrone and Brian Rohrbough submitted separate inscriptions for Danny, to be run side by side. Sue described her boy’s blue eyes, engaging smile, and infectious laugh. Brian submitted an angry rant blaming Columbine on a godless school system in a nation that legalized abortion where authorities lied and covered up their crimes. He ended with a biblical quote, declaring, There is no peace for the wicked.

The committee asked Brian to tone it down. He refused. Both sides agreed to keep the wording confidential, but the gist of the dispute leaked. It caused yet another firestorm in Colorado. The public was split. A standoff ensued. Nobody wanted an angry tirade inside the Ring of Remembrance. The committee had the power to stop it. Brian dared them to do it.

It was no contest. Even after eight years, nothing trumped a grieving dad.

The Columbine memorial was dedicated on a sunny afternoon in September 2007. A few thousand visitors filed quietly past the inner wall. There was no ruckus over the angry inscription. It did not draw more onlookers than the other twelve, even out of curiosity. There was no discernible reaction. No one seemed to care.

Patrick Ireland spoke on behalf of the injured. “The shootings were an event that occurred,” he said. “But it did not define me as a person. It did not set the tone for the rest of my life.”

Thirteen doves were released. Seconds later, two hundred more fluttered free—an arbitrary number, to signify everyone else. They scattered up in all directions. For a moment, they seemed to fill the entire sky. Then they found one another and coalesced into a single flock, a massive white cloud weaving from left to right and back again, against the clear blue sky.

SOPHOMORE YEAR

January 1997 — The missions begin.

February 28, 1997 — Wayne Harris starts his journal.

March 31, 1997 — Dylan starts his journal.

Summer 1997 — Eric and Dylan start at Blackjack; build first pipe bomb.

July 23, 1997 — Dylan first mentions killing in his journal—possibly figuratively.

August 7, 1997 — Eric’s Web site is reported to the police. It lists his “I HATE” rants.

JUNIOR YEAR

October 2, 1997 — Eric, Dylan, and Zack are suspended for breaking into lockers.

November 3, 1997 — Dylan first mentions a killing spree in his journal.

Unknown — Eric and Dylan steal from the school computer room.

January 30, 1998 — Eric and Dylan are arrested for breaking linto a van.

February 15, 1998 — Deputies find a pipe bomb near Eric’s house.

February 16, 1998 — Eric begins seeing a psychiatrist and soon starts taking Zoloft.

Spring 1998* — Eric’s dad catches him with a pipe bomb.

March 18, 1998 — Dylan warns Brooks Brown about Eric’s death threats.

March 19, 1998 — Eric and Dylan conduct their intake interview for the Diversion program.

March 25, 1998 — Eric and Dylan are formally sentenced in court.

April 1998 — Investigator Guerra drafts an affidavit for a warrant to search Eric’s house.

April 8, 1998 — Eric receives his Diversion program contract.

April 10, 1998 — Eric begins his journal.

by May 9, 1998 — Eric and Dylan outline the attack, write about it in each other’s yearbook.

May 14, 1998 — Eric has switched from Zoloft to Luvox.

SENIOR YEAR

October 22, 1998 — Eric begins pipe bomb arsenal production; resumes journal writing the next day.

November 13, 1998 — Eric turns in his paper on Nazis.

November 17, 1998 — Eric describes his sadistic rape fantasies in his journal.

November 22, 1998 — Eric and Dylan buy two shotguns and a rifle at the Tanner Gun Show.

December 2, 1998 — Eric fires his weapon for the first time.

January 23, 1999 — Eric and Dylan buy the TEC-9 from Mark Manes.

January 20, 1999 — Eric and Dylan complete the Diversion program, and Dylan resumes his journal.

February 7, 1999 — Dylan submits his prescient story about killing “preps.”

March 6, 1999 — Eric and Dylan practice shooting at Rampart Range.

March 15, 1999 — Eric and Dylan begin filming the Basement Tapes.

March 20, 1999 — Eric attempts to recruit Chris Morris.

April 5, 8, 15, 1999 — Eric talks to a Marine recruiter.

April 17, 1999 — The prom.

April 20, 1999 — The massacre.

* Unknown date, approximately this period.

This book is possible because of the survivors who graciously shared their stories. Thank you all. John, Kathy and Patrick Ireland, Brian Rohrbough, Linda Sanders, Frank DeAngelis, Dwayne Fuselier, Dr. Frank Ochberg, Dr. Robert Hare, and Kate Battan were especially generous. Reverend Don Marxhausen and Lucille Zimmerman were particularly kind.

Joan Walsh initiated this project by publishing my early stories at Salon . She gave me confidence and helped me find my voice. No writer could ask for more. David Plotz, David Talbot, Dan Brogan, Mim Udovich, and Toby Harshaw helped me continue reporting at other publications.

Early on, when I needed it, three veterans surprised me with e-mails of encouragement: Richard Goldstein, Frank Rich, and Jonathan Karp. You’ll never know what that meant.

Jonathan first suggested the book. Mitch Hoffman later championed the project, guided early efforts, and helped me establish the tone. Jonathan returned for the crucial edit. I was struck by the clarity he brought. Jonathan gathered a wonderful team at Twelve and Hachette: his assistant, Colin Shepherd, added insightful notes on the manuscript; Karen Andrews did a thorough legal review; Bonnie Thompson redefined the term copyedit; managing editor Harvey-Jane Kowal was patient with my changes; Henry Sene Yee, Anne Twomey, and Flag Tonuz provided a great design. Cary Goldstein and Laura Lee Timko publicized the book well enough to get it into your hands.

This book went through several incarnations. From first reporting to publication, it took ten years. The one person who never lost faith in it or me was my agent Betsy Lerner. She earned my deepest gratitude. She’s also a great editor, advisor, shrink, and rock.

I built on the work of other great journalists, especially Dan Luzadder, Alan Prendergast, and Lynn Bartels. I owe them a great debt. Michael Paterniti reinspired me with his brilliant GQ story on the tragedy. Wendy Murray generously shared her field notes. Mark Juergensmeyer’s book gave me a deeper understanding of terrorists. Michelle Lopez and Mike Ditto were relentless researchers and fact-checkers. Dr. Frank Ochberg, Bruce Shapiro, Barb Monseu, and everyone at the Dart Center helped teach me about compassion for victims and for myself.