APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Dangling student inspired SWAT team
By AARON J. LOPEZ
LITTLETON — It was one of the most frightening scenes of the massacre, a boy dangling from a school window with one bloody arm hanging useless, his other arm flailing for help.
SWAT members eventually rushed to his rescue as he dropped from the second-floor library window Tuesday.
He was identified today as 17-year-old Patrick Ireland.
As the video clip begins, the weight of the youth's body leans against broken glass, and his blood-soaked shirt displays the violence he was trying desperately to escape.
His plight grabbed the attention of the Lakewood SWAT team as they searched for explosives at Columbine High School. Within seconds, their armored truck was on the move.
"I turned to the driver and said, 'Let's go get him.' We drove over the curb, over a couple of planters. We almost drove over a bicycle rack," said Sgt. George Hinkle.
With the truck in place under the shattered window, Sgt. John Romaniec and senior agent Donn Kraemer climbed on the roof and reached for Ireland's outstretched hands.
Using his remaining strength, the boy kicked up his legs and escaped from the library, which 90 minutes earlier had been ravaged by two teen-agers who laughed as they gunned down a teacher and 12 of their unsuspecting classmates.
Romaniec and Kraemer were able to grasp the boy's hands as he lunged out the window and slammed into the side of the armored truck. Shot twice in the head, his body bloodied and his awareness fading, Ireland was finally safe from the shooting.
"He was slipping in and out of consciousness," Romaniec said Thursday. "Once we got him into the back of the van I had another officer ask him his name and talk to him. You could see the life was slipping away."
Ireland was taken to St. Anthony Hospital Central, where he remained in serious condition today and in intensive care with gunshot wounds.
"I think that this young man deserves all the credit," Romaniec said. "He is a survivor in the true meaning of the word survive. He was determined to get out of there."
"It was the only bright spot that we had in the whole day, and even that wasn't a bright spot," Hinkle said. April 23, 1999
Associated Press
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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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