APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
News briefs
MEMORIAL
List of services
Statewide memorial to honor Columbine High School community, attendees to include Vice President Al Gore, Gov. Bill Owens and evangelist Franklin Graham, at 1 p.m. today at the Mann Theatre parking lot in Littleton at Bowles Crossing, across from Clement Park Library on Bowles and Long Drive. Christian performing artists Amy Grant and Michael Smith will perform.
Lafayette residents will host a prayer vigil from 2 to 4 p.m. today at the Waneka Lake picnic area or, in case of bad weather, at the Lafayette Library on Baseline Road. The public is invited. Call (303) 673-0738 for information.
Nederland area residents are invited to a community forum and vigil from 4 to 6 p.m. today at the Nederland Community Center. Nederland Middle-Senior High School students are helping to organize the gathering.
Call (303) 258-7119 for more information.
Bethany United Methodist Church will sponsor a service at 11 a.m. today at the church, 3501 W. First Ave. in Denver. For more information, (303) 934-7163.
A mass will be said for Richard Castaldo, who is in serious condition at Swedish Medical Center, at 7:30 p.m. today at St. Louis Catholic Church, 3310 S. Sherman St., Englewood.
The PeaceJam Foundation will hold a prayer service in honor of Columbine High School students and community at 4 p.m. Monday at Regis University's Denver Campus, in front of the Main Hall building. The service, led by 1996 Nobel laureate Jose Ramos-Horta of East Timor, also will address the problem of violence in schools and communities. PeaceJam is a national organization that brings Nobel peace prize winners to various campuses to help students learn about peacemaking.
A special address has been designated for cards and letters to Columbine High School students, family and staff. The address is: Messages for Columbine, Communications Services, Jefferson County Public Schools, P.O. Box 4001, Golden, CO 80401-0001.
SURVIVOR
Student who jumped from window ID'd
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.
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.
PHONE HELP
Agencies offer to lend an ear
United Way partner agencies in Boulder County offer to try to help people needing to talk with someone about the Columbine High School tragedy or any issue related to parenting, teenagers or violence in society. Here are some numbers to call:
Alternative for Youth, Longmont, (303) 776-8184, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday; the Counseling Center, Boulder, (303) 449-7898; and the Mental Health Center of Boulder County: Adult Crisis Line (303) 447-1665, 24 hours, and Child and Teen Crisis Line (303) 652-3700 or (303) 652-3301, 24 hours.
TELEVISION
Shooting coverage strikes a chord
The images of terrified students running from Columbine High and the mystery of why two teenagers ended their lives in horrifying violence have clearly struck a chord with TV viewers.
"I think people are frightened," said Susan Zirinsky, executive producer of CBS's "48 Hours." Wednesday night's "Young Guns" episode had higher ratings than any "48 Hours" show since 1997.
CBS quickly responded by scheduling a special edition of the newsmagazine for Saturday night, calling it "After the Tears."
"Dateline NBC" covered the story Tuesday night, aired a special two-hour edition Wednesday, devoted Friday's show to the tragedy and will do the same Sunday. Wednesday's two-hour show focused on Littleton during its second hour, and that drew 2.3 million more viewers than the first.
ABC's "20/20" on Wednesday was the evening's most-watched prime-time program. Only the Monica Lewinsky interview rated higher among Wednesday editions of the newsmagazine this year.
The three cable news networks each had roughly two and a half times their average audiences on Tuesday and Wednesday. Fox News Channel recorded its highest 24-hour rating ever the day of the shooting.
Camera wire reports
April 25, 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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