APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Teen targeted by sheriff denies involvement in school attack By Katherine Vogt
LITTLETON — A classmate who was harassed and threatened by gunman Eric Harris criticized the sheriff on Wednesday for suggesting that he has withheld information about the Columbine High School massacre.
"They have no evidence against me. They have nothing. Actually, I know that the FBI has said that I'm not a suspect. The DA has said that I'm not a suspect," Brooks Brown said in an interview outside his home.
"Both have said I'm just a witness. I don't know why Sheriff (John) Stone is doing this. ... I just don't think he's thinking before he talks."
In newspaper and national television show interviews, Stone has said he believes Brown, 17, knows more about the April 20 attack at Columbine High School than he has told investigators.
Brown's parents had earlier criticized Stone for failing to act after they had told deputies last year that Harris had threatened their son and had written about bombs and murder on the Internet.
Brown knew Harris, 18, and Dylan Klebold, 17, and had helped produce a videotape with Klebold.
The day of the shooting, Harris warned Brown to stay away from the school moments before he and Klebold killed 12 students and a teacher, wounded 23 others and then committed suicide.
Brown and his parents, Randall and Judy Brown, swept aside Stone's suspicions and said his comments stemmed from their criticism of his department.
"It's incredible; it's wrong," Randall Brown has said. "He should be ashamed of himself."
Stone was not available for comment, but sheriff's spokesman Steve Davis reiterated Wednesday that no one has been labeled a suspect, including Brooks Brown.
Stone retracted an earlier statement after he said three teens detained near the school on the day of the shooting were suspects. Other officials said the three had been cleared of involvement.
Investigators said earlier this week they were leaning toward the theory that Harris and Klebold acted alone, but Stone said he believes there may have been a third gunman, based on interviews with student witnesses.
Davis said: "We have had a lot of witnesses tell us there was a third suspect and we've said that from day one. But, from day one, we've said we hadn't had any concrete evidence to show that."
Also, Jefferson County Schools Superintendent Jane Hammond said it could cost $50 million to repair damage to Columbine High School.
May 6, 1999
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BACKGROUND
Jefferson County sheriff's report Full index of the shooting News from the five days following the shootings Reconstruction of the shooting TimelineLocation the schoolFloorplanWeapons used
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AUDIO
'Friend of Mine' Listen to the Columbine Memorial song sung by Columbine students Jonathan and Stephen Cohen.
911 tapes
Interview with Arun Ghandi |
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PHOTOS
A Daily Camera photo essay detailed the tragedy of April 20 and the recovery and remembrance in the following weeks: photo essay
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INTERACT
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
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THE INVESTIGATION
Man pleads innocent to helping Columbine killers get weapons Relatives angry about handling of case Parents of Columbine killer seek to limit evidence access Investigators meet with Harris' parents CHS investigators focus on computers FBI investigator's son linked to case Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE
Teenager threatens classmates Students accused of plotting shooting Violence in Georgia School violence stuns nation Teen wounds six fellow students Teens charged in alleged school attack plot Michigan teenagers charged in plot Other school shootings 1927 school bombing killed nearly 40 children Suspensions, arrests across country La. school site of another shooting Facts: Death in schools 'Blood in the School Yard', from the Cincinnati Post full series |
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REACTION
Time: Duo sought immortality Aftershocks continue to hit Columbine Columbine lawsuits multiply High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny
Parents of Columbine shooters sued Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' What now? |
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GUNS AND LAW
Inaction on gun control could prompt ballot issues Democrats say they'll carry gun laws favored by Owens Owens says tougher laws wouldn't have prevented tragedy State senator plans to revive bill on concealed-handguns Despite pressure, more gun control measures unlikely Columbine dad lobbies Washington Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales
Gun control strife Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
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HOW TO HELP
A drive has been established to raise money for a memorial for the victims of the Columbine High School tragedy. Contributions may be mailed to the Columbine Memorial Fund, c/o The Jefferson Foundation, 809 Quail St., Building 1, Lakewood, CO 80215.
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