APRIL 20, 1999 - LITTLETON, COLO.
Transcript of 911 call from Columbine Teacher
Peggy: Yes, I'm a teacher at Columbine High School and there is a student here with a gun. He just shot out a window. I believe, um, I'm at Columbine High School. I don't know what's in my shoulder. If it was just some glass. I don't know what's going on.
Dispatcher: Has anyone been injured, ma'am?
Peggy: I am, yes! And the school is in a panic and I'm in the library. I've got students down. Kids under the table! My kids are screaming, under the table, kids, and my teachers are trying to take control of things. We need police here.
Dispatcher: OK, OK, we're getting them. Who is the student, ma'am?
Peggy: I don't know who the student is. I saw a student outside . . . I said what was going on out there. (Talking to students) I don't think that's a really good idea. (Back to dispatcher) And we were waiting to see what was going on. He turned the gun straight at us and shot and my God, the window went out and the kid standing there with me, I think he got hit.
Dispatcher: OK, we got help on the way, ma'am.
Peggy: Oh God! Oh God! Kids, just stay down. Do we know where he's at? I'm in the library. He's upstairs. He's right outside of here. He's outside this hall. There are lines of people . . . Kids, just stay down! Do we know where he's at? He's outside in the hall. There's alarms and things going off and smoke. (Yelling): My God, smoke is coming into this room. I've got the kids under a table. I don't know what's happening in the rest of the building. Shouldn't someone else be calling 911?
Dispatcher: Yes, we have a lot of people on. I need you to stay on the line with me. We need to know what's going on.
Peggy: I am on the floor.
Dispatcher: You've the kids there?
Peggy: I've got every student in this library on the floor. (Yelling): You guys just stay on the floor!
Dispatcher: Is there any way you can lock the doors?
Peggy: Um, smoke is coming in from out there and I'm a little . . . My God, it's . . . (Sounds: Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang. Bang.)
My God, the gun is right outside my door. OK, I don't think I'm going to go out there. We're not going to go to the door. I've got the kids on the floor. I got all of the kids in the library on the floor.
Dispatcher: We have paramedics and we have fire and we have police en route.
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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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