APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Schools evacuated after bomb threats
Boulder high school students on edge
By Julie Poppen
Camera Staff Writer
The uneasy calm at Fairview and New Vista high schools in Boulder was broken Wednesday when students and staff at the two schools were evacuated for about 30 minutes following two bomb threats.
Boulder police said the first threat originated from a call to a psychic hotline and was forwarded to the Fort Collins police, who provided the information to Boulder. The caller indicated knowledge that a bomb would go off at noon Wednesday at a southwest Boulder high school.
A similar threat about a bomb in a locker scheduled to detonate at noon and a repeat of the Littleton killings prompted officials in Eagan, Minn., to evacuate a junior high school near Minneapolis on Wednesday.
In addition to the bomb report, a witness in Boulder alerted school officials — not long after police received the first report — that a person was overheard talking about a bomb at the King Soopers store on Table Mesa Drive. Police are investigating the report.
"What happened yesterday was intolerable," said New Vista head secretary Diana McKnight. "This was sort of the cruel joke."
Students and faculty were already on edge the day after a shooting rampage by two students at a suburban Littleton high school resulted in 15 deaths and several injuries.
The Boulder Valley School District was notified of the possible bomb threat about 11:45 a.m. Teachers were put on alert by the code words "check your area" relayed on the intercom system — a signal for staff to remain calm, scan the area for unfamiliar packages and lock the doors.
Shortly thereafter, Fairview, a school with roughly 2,000 students, was evacuated as school staff scoured the school building for anything suspicious and police officers stood by. When noon came and went and no bomb was discovered, students were allowed to return about 12:25 p.m. Some students went home.
"With all that happened yesterday, lots of people are generally worried," 17-year-old Fairview junior Blake Herrington said. "Of course, people were scared. At the same time, it wasn't like people were running or panicking or anything like that."
Since the high school description in the threat was vague, about 50 students at nearby New Vista High School were also asked to vacate their school. The remainder of the school's students were doing work off campus.
Superintendent Tom Seigel said under normal circumstances, the threat would probably not have resulted in a full evacuation.
"I think we did something that was prudent under the circumstances to make sure the kids are safe," Seigel said.
Boulder Police Deputy Chief Jim Hughes said the district did the right thing, based on Tuesday's devastating shooting spree.
"It's fair to say this case caused everybody to have a heightened sense of sensitivity and awareness," Hughes said.
Peg Bowles, 46, said her daughter, a Fairview junior, called her from the school in the midst of the chaos.
"I said, 'get out and tell me about it later,' " Bowles said. "I had the same reaction the school district did. Let's not take any chances. This could be real."
April 22, 1999
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BACKGROUND
Full index of the shooting Reconstruction of the shooting Timeline Location the school Floorplan Weapons 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
In light of the shooting on April 20, should the state legislature allow people to carry concealed weapons? vote here
With the recent rise in school violence, do you feel schools are still safe? vote here
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THE INVESTIGATION
Gunmen paid for weapons, teenager claims CHS investigators focus on computers Investigators try to disprove third CHS shooter Man charged with selling handgun to child FBI investigator's son linked to case Agents creating models of Columbine Teen targeted by sheriff denies involvement in school attack Arrest in Columbine shooting Killer reportedly took Luvox antidepressant Officials no closer to arresting suspects Detectives question shooter's girlfriend Security videotapes at school may show whether gunmen had help Bombs found in cafeteria Portraits of the killers Killer's diary describes plot of hate |
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SCHOOL VIOLENCE
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
High schools' 'cult of the athlete' under scrutiny Parents of Columbine shooters sued Suit planned against parents of Columbine High shooters Columbine spurs interest in home schools Columbine healing fund raises $2.3 million Safe Night aims to curb youth violence CU frat shows support for Columbine 'Healing bear' arrives to help in Littleton Doctors: Guilt a normal reaction for survivors School security business surges Media the message? Broomfield couple campaigns to 'Erase the Hate' Clint Talbott - BVSD rejects dress code What now? Video of Clinton's Wednesday morning speech Video of Clinton's Tuesday speech
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GUNS AND LAW
GOP tinkers further with gun legislation Columbine dad lobbies Washington Group forms to back gun control Poll says two-thirds in U.S. support tougher restrictions on guns Senate passes more gun controls Columbine killers also wounded the NRA Senate rejects any new restrictions on gun-show sales Dems want special session Gun control strife House won't debate gun bill New gun laws on table Leaders scrap gun bills Guns and legislatures |
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HOW TO HELP
- The Denver Rocky Mountain News has established a drive to raise money for a memorial to 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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