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The '''Columbine High School Massacre''' occurred on [[April 20]], [[1999]] at [[Columbine High School]] in [[Jefferson County, Colorado|Jefferson County]] near [[Littleton, Colorado|Littleton]], [[Colorado]], [[United States]]. Two teenaged students, [[Eric Harris]] and [[Dylan Klebold]], executed a planned [[mass murder|shooting rampage]] killing 12 other students and a teacher before committing [[suicide]]. It is considered to be the worst school shooting in [[United States|U.S.]] history.
''This article is about good and bad fortune. There is also: [[Luck, Volhynia]], a town in [[Ukraine]], and [[Luck, Wisconsin]], a village in the [[USA]].''
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'''Luck''' may be analysed from three viewpoints: rational, social, and spiritual.
==ChronologyRational of eventsviewpoint==
As related to the occurrences of actual events considered to be of low [[probability]] in a [[mathematics|mathematical]] or [[statistics|statistical]] sense. A [[rationalist]] approach would lead to the conclusion that such matters as whether or not someone bore a victim ill will would have no bearing upon (for example) that person being hit by a loose brick falling from a decrepit building. It was only due to a remote statistical probability that the brick's four [[Dimension|dimensional]] [[Spacetime|space-time]] path intercepted the 4D path of the victim's head (this was an actual occurrence in [[San Francisco]]). In a case like this both rationalists and spiritualists would likely say that the victim was ''unlucky''. In an example of good luck, a person winning a [[lottery]] would generally be considered lucky, although a rationalist might point out that there was bound to be a winner sooner or later, and there was actually nothing lucky about ''someone'' winning - it was merely a [[probability|probabilistic]] event. It is doubful that the winner would agree with that analysis, however.
==Social viewpoint==
All times in local time ([[Mountain Standard Time|MST]]).
As a [[Society|social]] phenomenon, there is much truth in the saying "what goes around, comes around" (see [[karma]]). On the one hand, those who are kind and generous to others are usually perceived as open and accepting and so more likely to be freely offered assistance from others. They are also more likely to also be able to ask for and receive help from others in time of need. On the other hand, those who are asocial or anti-social are less likely ask for assistance or to be offered assistance by others. The open, generous and cheerful person is more likely to be classified by others as lucky, while the curmudgeon is more likely to be considered by others or to consider him/her self unlucky.
===1997: Harris web site visited by investigator Guerra===
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office investigator Michael Guerra reads Eric Harris' website. The site, which referred to "ground zero" and boasted that Harris and Klebold had built pipe bombs, disturbed Guerra enough to write a draft [[affidavit]] for a search warrant, however, the affidavit was never filed.
==Supernatural viewpoint==
===April 20, 1999: the killings===
There is also sometimes considered to be a [[supernatural]] bias towards experiencing events of good or ill fortune. In this sense some believe that one's own or another's good or bad luck can be influenced through spiritual means or by performing certain rituals or by avoiding certain (from a rational viewpoint non-relevant) situations. [[Voodoo]] is a religious practice in which this belief is particularly strong, although many cultures worldwide place a strong emphasis on a person's ability to influence their luckiness by ritualistic means. This often involves proper respect for spirits, believed to inhabit a ___location prior to human occupation. In some cultures, if one builds a house on a property it is respectful to provide a small [[spirit house]] for their habitation. In other cultures, a building may be interrupted by a passageway to allow the flow of spiritual energy - the ___location being determined by an expert in such matters. In such cultures, ignoring such matters is believed to lead to misfortune - ''bad luck''. In this context there is also the concept of "purpose" to events ascribed to luck, good or bad.
====16 minutes of terror====
==Effects of viewpoint and beliefs==
[[Image:Eric_harris_dylan_klebold.jpg|right|thumb|frame|Some of the massacre was captured on the high school's security cameras.]]
The belief in luck as a supernatural phenomenon is generally regarded by rationalists as a form of [[magical thinking]]. However, there is evidence that people who believe themselves to have '''good luck''' are more able to take advantage of fortunate chance events in their lives, and to compensate for unfortunate chance events in their lives, than people who believe that they have '''bad luck'''. This appears to be the result of [[positive thinking]] altering their responses to these events. A belief in luck can also indicate a belief in an external [[locus of control]] for events in their life and so escape from personal responsibility.
Some philosophers argue that we each "create our own reality", literally and not metaphorically, and in that context what appears to be good luck can be interpreted as having beliefs that encourage or create what are putatively good outcomes.
Harris and Klebold had already planted two bombs in the cafeteria which were expected to explode at 11:00am, a time they calculated was when the most students would be in the cafeteria--900 Columbine students were on their lunch break. These two bombs were the largest at twenty pounds each, constructed of pipe bombs surrounded by [[propane]]-filled fuel cylinders. The pair had previously planted other bombs around the campus expecting them to explode too, however, most of them never went off. They brought the bombs to school in backpacks and bomb cases strapped to their bodies. Harris and Klebold were wearing trench coats so that their fellow students would not know that guns and bombs were being smuggled into the school.
===Risky lifestyles===
Harris and Klebold fired their first shots about 11:19 in the parking lot after running there from the soccer field. By 11:25 the pair, who had already fatally shot [[Rachel Scott]], ran into the cafeteria while shooting students. They also shot at one of the bombs which they had planted in an attempt to detonate it but to no avail. If those two cafeteria bombs had exploded then many of the four hundred and forty-eight students in the cafeteria would have most likely been killed. Some students hid in closets, bathrooms, and offices, or under heavy desks and chairs; others fled the building to the Robert F. Clement Park. Some of the students called for help on cell phones while hiding behind a heavy door.
Often those who ascribe their travails to "bad luck" will be found upon close examination to be living [[Risk|risky]] [[Lifestyle|lifestyles]]. For example: a drunk driver may ascribe their arrest to the bad luck of being observed by a patrolman, or the bad luck of being involved in a traffic accident (perhaps not even the victim's fault), as a way of avoiding personal responsibility for his/her actions.
===Positive outlook===
The first [[9-1-1]] call relating to the incident was made at 11:25. A custodian reported hearing gunfire and explosions at the school. The custodian also reported seeing a shooter on the roof who was later revealed to be an innocent repairman hiding from the shooting.
On the other hand, people who consider themselves "lucky" in having good health may be actually reaping the benefits of a cheerful outlook and satisfying social relationships, both of which are well known [[statistics|statistically]] to be protective against many stress-related diseases.
===Effects===
At 11:28, deputy Neil Gardner of [[Jefferson County, Colorado|Jefferson County]] exchanged gunfire with Harris and Klebold near a building entrance. He radioed for help at 11:29. At 11:30, other Jefferson County deputies arrived on the scene. They called other agencies for help because they heard explosions and gunshots. The shooters moved upstairs, firing at students in classrooms.
If "good" and "bad" events occur at random to everyone, believers in good luck will experience a net gain in their fortunes, and vice versa for believers in bad luck. This is clearly likely to be self-reinforcing. Thus, although untrue, a belief in good luck may actually be an adaptive [[meme]].
The [[gambler's fallacy]] and [[inverse gambler's fallacy]] are both related to belief in luck.
Harris and Klebold then moved to the school library, killed ten students, and left several more injured. When it was clear that they were not going to escape the building, the two committed suicide — Harris by firing a shotgun placed in his mouth and Klebold with a handgun. Some theorize that Harris killed Klebold before killing himself because Klebold was left handed but was shot in the right temple. Harris had injured his last victim at 11:31 a.m; both Harris and Klebold were confirmed dead by 12:30 pm.
==Numerology==
====The shooting stops====
Most cultures consider some [[numerology|numbers]] to be lucky or unlucky. This is found to be particularly strong in Asian cultures, where the obtaining of "lucky" [[telephone number]]s, automobile [[license plate]] numbers, and [[address (geography)|household addresses]] are actively sought, sometimes at great [[Money|monetary]] expense.
By noon, [[SWAT]] teams found explosive devices around the school, and ambulances started taking the wounded to local hospitals. Parents gathered at Leawood Elementary School. The call for additional ammunition to police officers in case of a shootout came at 12:20. However, the killers had supposedly stopped shooting prior to 12:00 pm.
==Sayings==
The SWAT teams started checking every room in the high school in great detail by 12:30. Even desks and backpacks were examined. Authorities reported pipe bombs being found by 1:00 pm.
Popular sayings and quotations related to luck:
* "Luck is what happens when preparation meets opportunity" -
* "You make your own luck" -
* "When it rains, it pours" - this is an expression of the mathematical property of statistically independent events to bunch together.
* "Bad things happen in threes" - see above
* "Luck is the residue of design" - [[Branch Rickey]]
* When something happens by "sheer dumb luck", it is considered to have happened unintentionally and without planning.
* "Luck doesn't exist." There are more variations on this phrase than can be listed here, but not enough to make believers care.
* "Luck be your lady tonight"
* A famous Samuel Goldwyn quote sums up the rationalist view: "The harder I work, the luckier I get". Or an equally famous [[Gary Player]] quote "The harder I practise, the luckier I get".
* [[Knocking on wood]], spoken expression used as a [[charm]] to bring good luck.
* "In my experience, there's no such thing as luck" - [[Obi-Wan Kenobi]].
* "Luck can only get you so far" by Hermione, referring to a "luck potion Felix Felicis" in {{Harry Potter]] (Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince)
==Items or events==
SWAT teams started to free hidden students by 2:30. The students and teachers were taken away, questioned, and were offered medical care in small holding areas. Officers found bodies in the library by 3:30.
Several items or happenings are considered lucky or unlucky.
===Lucky===
*Finding a [[penny]] on heads
*[[Horseshoe]]s
*Four-leaf [[clovers]]
*[[Rabbit]]'s [[feet]]
*[[Ladybug]]s
===Unlucky===
By 4:00 the sheriff made an initial estimate of 25 dead students and teachers; his estimate was 10 over the true count. Police officers were searching the bodies of Harris and Klebold in the library. At 4:30 the school was declared safe, yet at 5:30 additional officers were called in as more explosives were found in the parking lot. At 6:15 pm, officials found a bomb in a car in the parking lot, so the sheriff marked the entire school as a crime scene with yards of yellow tape. All of the dead were still inside the school at the time. At 10:45 pm, one of the homemade bombs detonated while police tried to defuse it.
*[[Friday]] the [[13 (number)|13]]th
*The number 13 (Many buildings skipped 13 when numbering their floors for this reason)
*[[Black]] [[cat]] crossing your path
*Stepping on a crack (it breaks the mother of the stepper's back)
*Breaking a [[mirror]] (seven years bad luck)
*Spilling over [[salt]] (but you can get rid of the bad luck by throwing the salt over your left shoulder).
*Putting a hat on a bed
*Opening an [[umbrella]] indoors
*Seeing three butterflies at the same time
*Killing a ladybug
*Walking underneath a [[ladder]]
==Luck in fiction==
===April 21: bomb squad combs the school, first press conference held===
*[[Gladstone Gander]], a fictional [[cartoon]] character, is dependent solely upon his good luck.
The next day, on [[April 21]], bomb squads combed the high school looking for bombs. At 08:30 am, the official death toll of fifteen was released. The bomb squad declared the building safe for officials to enter. By 11:30, a spokesman of the sheriff said, "The investigation is under way." Thirteen of the bodies were still inside the high school as investigators photographed the building.
*[[Joe Btfsplk]], a character in the [[Li'l Abner]] (Little Abner) [[comic strip]] by the cartoonist [[Al Capp]] is not only unlucky, he is shunned by the other characters as they suspect (with good reason) that this bad luck may be [[infection|infectious]].
*In [[Larry Niven|Larry Niven's]] novel ''[[Ringworld]]'', the character [[Teela Brown]] was the incredibly lucky result of a centuries-long breeding program initiated by the alien [[Pierson's Puppeteers]] directed to just such an outcome. The consequence of her state was that she'd led such a charmed and worry-free life that she was emotionally immature and unprepared for "harsh reality."
By 2:30 pm, a press conference was held by Jefferson County District Attorney David Thomas and Sheriff John Stone, saying that they suspected that other children helped plan the shooting. Formal identifications of the dead had not taken place yet, but families of the children thought to have to been killed were notified that this probably happened. Throughout the late afternoon and early evening, the rest of the bodies were gradually removed out of the school and taken to the Jefferson County Coroner's Office to be identified and autopsied. By 5:00 pm, the identities of those dead started to be known.
*In [[Terry Pratchett]]'s ''[[Discworld]]'' series, luck is an [[Anthropomorphism|anthropomorphic personification]] known as the Lady, who, while not a goddess, is powerful enough to be the rival of the god Fate.
*[[Eugene Horowitz]] from [[Hey Arnold]] is known for the bad luck he constantly has, though his [[optimism]] always makes his personality win over it.
===April 30: 2nd press conference held; officials decide to not mention Guerra affidavit===
*In the [[Harry Potter]] novels, there is a [[potion]], [[Felix Felicis]], which gives its drinker good luck.
A few days after the shooting, high-ranking members of Jefferson County and the Jefferson County Sheriff Office meet together to decide if they should reveal that investigator Guerra knew of the Harris website two years prior to the massacre. They decide to not disclose this information at a press conference held April 30th, nor do they mention it in any other way. Over the next two years the original Guerra documents are lost, perhaps as a result of the standard document-destruction policies of the sheriff's office.
*[[Furrball]] the cat in ''[[Tiny Toon Adventures]]'' is a perpetually unfortunate feline, forever suffering mishaps, though frequently it's his own actions (i.e. overwhelming greed) that get him into trouble (not unlike mentor Sylvester the cat).
===September 2001: Guerra affidavit becomes publicly known===
The existence of the Guerra affidavit becomes known to the general public and a series of grand jury investigations are launched into the coverup activities of the Jefferson County officials. The final grand jury investigation is released in [[September 2004]].[http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20040917/ap_on_re_us/columbine_investigation_5][http://media.mnginteractive.com/media/paper36/Columbine_Grand_Jury_Report.pdf]
==Aftershock and the search for reasons==
Analysis of journals and videos left behind by Harris and Klebold revealed that the pair had developed an elaborate, sometimes fantastic plan for not only the school shooting, but also a massacre in the neighborhood and, if they were unable to escape from the United States, a planned hijacking of an airplane which they would then crash into [[New York City]].
In the aftermath of the shootings, there was a great deal of debate about what "provoked" the killers and whether anything could have been done to prevent the crime. The reality of social [[clique]]s in high schools was a frequent topic of discussion. Many argued that the pair's isolation from the rest of their classmates prompted feelings of helplessness, insecurity and [[clinical depression|depression]], as well as a strong desire for attention. Some schools also began programs to expose and stop school [[bullying]], which many charged had fueled anger and resentment within Harris and Klebold. Supposedly, the two had briefly offered themselves as "bullying bodyguards" to keep other kids from being teased; however, their actions were inappropriate, and they soon were caught carrying fake guns.
In the weeks following the shootings, [[mass media|media]] reports about the two killers portrayed them as outcast "[[nerd]]s" who were unpopular and ostracized by much of the school's population; later such characterizations were revised as both Harris and Klebold were documented to have both a close circle of friends and a wider informal social group (However, neither were they "popular" kids and could best be described as being members of the school's "rejects" although by no means were they isolated) . It was also reported that anti-gay epithets were frequently directed at them, although their actual sexual orientation was unknown; both were known to have had girlfriends though. Harris and Klebold were peripheral members of a club called the "[[Trenchcoat Mafia]]" in which they wore heavy black [[trench coat]]s. By the time of the shootings, most of the major members of the group had already either graduated or dropped out of Columbine.
Some analysts noted that the date of the shooting coincided with [[Adolf Hitler]]'s 110th [[birthday|birth anniversary]], and was one day after the anniversary of the [[Oklahoma City Bombing]], though it was not known whether knowledge of either of these dates influenced Harris and Klebold.
Harris and Klebold were fans of violent video games such as "[[DOOM]]" (in fact, Harris often created levels for the game; these were widely distributed, and can still occasionally be found on the Internet as the [[Harris levels]]. Rumors that the layout of these levels resembled that of Columbine High School circulated but have been debunked as documented on the [[Snopes]] urban legends website [http://www.snopes.com/spoons/noose/doom.htm]). Some analysts argued that part of the killers' problem may have been a result of their constant exposure to violent imagery in such video games, as well as [[music]], and [[movie]]s, theorizing that their obsession with these forms of media may have led them to have trouble telling the difference between reality and fantasy.
It has been publicly revealed that Harris had been prescribed and was taking [[Luvox]] ([[Fluvoxamine maleate]]), an [[Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor|SSRI]] [[antidepressant]], at the time of the shooting spree. Some analysts have argued that this medication may have contributed to Harris' actions, as an alleged side-effect of these drugs is a loss of empathy for other human beings, and a correlation is claimed between "school shooters" whose medical history has been made public and use of or recent discontinuation of such medications. Other researchers have pointed out that such claims are not based upon scientific evidence.
==Long-term impact==
In response to concerns over the causes of Columbine and other [[school massacres]], many schools later instituted new anti-[[bully]] policies as well as so-called "[[zero tolerance]]" approaches to weapons and threatening behavior. Despite the horrific nature of the Columbine incident, some experts in [[social science]] feel the zero-tolerance in schools has gone overboard.
In the months following the shooting, some [[Christian]]s were captivated by reports of [[Cassie Bernall]], who, when asked "Do you believe in God?" by one of the shooters, responded "Yes" before being shot and killed. Alternate accounts surfaced soon thereafter, attributing the remark to victim [[Rachel Scott]]. Both Bernall and Scott were regarded as Christian "martyrs" by many. Official investigation attributed the statement to survivor [[Valeen Schnurr]].
==Shooters==
*[[Eric David Harris]], 18
*[[Dylan Bennett Klebold]], 17
==Victims==
As well as the two deceased shooters, there were 13 fatalities and 23 injured.
===Deceased===
* [[Cassie Bernall]], 17
* Steven Curnow, 14
* Corey DePooter, 17
* Kelly Fleming, 16
* Matthew Kechter, 16
* Daniel Mauser, 15
* Daniel Rohrbough, 15
* Dave Sanders, 47 (Teacher)
* [[Rachel Scott]], 17
* Isaiah Shoels, 18
* John Tomlin, 16
* Lauren Townsend, 18
* Kyle Velasquez, 16
===Injured===
* Brian Anderson, 17
* Richard Castaldo, 17
* Jennifer Doyle, 17
* Stephen Eubanks, 17
* Nicholas Foss, 18
* Sean Graves, 15
* Makai Hall, 19
* Anne Hochhalter, 17
* Patrick Ireland, 17
* Joyce Jankowski, 45
* Michael Johnson, 15
* Mark Kintgen, 17
* Lance Kirklin, 16
* Lisa Kreutz, 18
* Adam Kryler, 16
* Stephanie Munson, 17
* Patricia Nielsen, 35
* Nicole Nowlen, 16
* Jeanna Park, 18
* Kasey Ruegsegger, 17
* [[Valeen Schnurr]], 18.
* Danny Steepleton, 17
* Mark Taylor, 16
== Cultural impact ==
The massacre was one of the subjects of the controversial [[2002]] [[Michael Moore]] [[documentary film]] ''[[Bowling for Columbine]]'', about the culture of violence in the [[United States|US]].
The Columbine shooting spree also served as the inspiration for the fictional 2003 [[Gus Van Sant]] film, ''[[Elephant (film)|Elephant]]''.
In addition, aspects of the Columbine disaster were the basis of [[Douglas Coupland]]'s [[2003]] book ''[[Hey Nostradamus!]]''
==Firearms==
Before the shootings, Harris and Klebold illegally acquired and modified a [[TEC-DC9]] [[semi-automatic handgun|semi-automatic]] [[handgun]], a [[rifle]], two [[Sawn-off shotgun|sawed-off]] [[shotgun]]s, and built 99 [[improvised explosive devices]] of various designs and sizes. Even before the massacre began, the two perpetrators committed numerous felony violations of state and federal law, including the [[National Firearms Act]] and the [[Gun Control Act of 1968]].
All four guns were illegally obtained by [[straw purchase]]s. [[Robyn Anderson]] bought the rifle and two shotguns for Harris and Klebold, but was never charged for her violations of federal gun laws. Mark Manes and Philip Duran were found guilty of supplying the handgun to the two youths and received prison terms.
==See also==
*[[School massacreCurse]]
*[[Destiny]]
*[[List of United States firearms topics]]
*[[Evil eye]]
*[[Fate]]
== External links ==
*[[Folk religion]]
*[http://www.boulderdailycamera.com/shooting/21map.html Map showing the school as it was attacked, and the timeline]
*[[Irrationality]]
*[http://63.147.65.175/news/shot0420c.htm Another timeline of the tragedy]
*[[Magic (paranormal)]]
*[http://www.boulderdailycamera.com/shooting/22chronology.html Another chronology of the attack]
*[[Probability]]
*[http://dmoz.org/Society/Issues/Violence_and_Abuse/School/Incidents/Columbine_High_School/ Category at ODP]
*[[Statistics]]
*[http://www.jsonline.com/news/may99/0514swat.asp Issues about police at Columbine]
*[[Superstition]]
*[http://www.breggin.com/luvox.html Luvox and the Littleton Columbine High School Shootings]
*[http://www.cnn.com/2000/US/05/15/columbine.report.04/index.html Information about the investigators' detailed timeline]
*[http://www.danielmauser.com Website about Daniel Mauser]
*[http://slate.msn.com/id/2099203/ Article in Slate magazine]
[[Category:Spree shootings]]
[[Category:Colorado history]]
[[cy:Llofruddiaeth Columbine]]
[[de:Columbine-High-School-Massaker]]
[[eo:Masakro de Columbine]]
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