APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Student group had a dark lifestyle
Trench Coat Mafia known to admire Hitler, dislike minorities and jocks
By Steven K. Paulson
Associated Press
LITTLETON — They called themselves the "Trench Coat Mafia," a dozen outcast students who hated blacks, Hispanics, Jews and athletes and dressed up in long black dusters, like villains of the Old West.
They played World War II games, bragged about their guns and razzed fellow students about kowtowing to the elite students at Columbine High School.
But few students took them seriously until Tuesday, when police said two members of the rebellious group took out guns and started firing.
Authorities said the two boys — identified by classmates and Denver media as Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, both juniors — killed themselves following a "suicide mission" in which they marched through the school, hurling pipe bombs and firing shotguns, leaving a trail of bodies. School officials said they had not heard of the group until Tuesday.
The "trench coats" were seen as smart and computer-savvy, fellow students said.
"They just didn't seem to be all there. They liked things like Soldier of Fortune magazine," said Sean Kelly, a 16-year-old junior. Harris made his own video production at school in which he bragged about some of his new guns.
Kelly said members of the group made "generally derogatory remarks" about Hispanics and blacks and were considered outcasts by other students at the school. They had a long-running feud with some of the school's athletes, who enjoyed the popularity the Trench Coats lacked.
"A couple of months ago, the jocks were supposed to fight them," said Matt Good, 16, a football player. But the Trench Coats showed up two hours late, at the wrong spot, carrying swords and brass knuckles, and the fight was never rescheduled, Good said.
Student Andrew Beard said members of the group often came to school in steel-toed combat boots, some of them wearing Nazi crosses. He said he knew of no special significance for the dusters.
Tuesday was Adolf Hitler's birthday, and student Aaron Cohn said that was a significant day for Trench Coat members, who made references to 4-20.
Beard said a dozen students joined the group last year, adopting the trademark dusters and sometimes wearing red or green berets, but the numbers dwindled to a half-dozen this year as the novelty wore off.
In the 1998 yearbook, a photo showed members of the group locking arms and smiling, was accompanied by the caption, "Who says we're different? Insanity's healthy. ... Stay alive, stay different, stay crazy!"
But other students had developed a less innocent image of the group.
"They're really dark people," said Wes Lammers, a 17-year-old junior. "There were a lot of jokes that one day they might snap or something."
Casey Brackley, 15, said. "Anyone dressed in black you're scared of because it signifies gothic or death."
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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