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In the aftermath, there was a great deal of debate about what motivated the killers and whether anything could have been done to prevent the crime. Unlike most other school shootings, the fact that both shooters committed suicide made this one particularly haunting, as answers would be slow in coming, and there would be no arrests or trial through which the victims could vent their outrage. The reality of social cliques 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 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.[17]
In the weeks following the shootings, media reports about the two killers portrayed them as part of a "goth cult" known as the "Trenchcoat Mafia." They were portrayed as outcast "nerds" 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 a close circle of friends and a wider informal social group. Nevertheless, they were not "popular" and could best be described as being members of the school's "rejects", although by no means were they isolated.[18] It was also reported that anti-gay epithets were frequently directed at them. As for the "goth cult", Harris and Klebold were thought to be members of an informal school club called the "Trenchcoat Mafia" in which they wore heavy black trench coats. This was later proven not to be true, however they did have passing friendships with some of its members. By the time of the shootings, most of the major members of that group had already either graduated or dropped out of Columbine. A backlash against the "Goth" subculture resulted from both students and administrators across the country. [19][20]
Some confusion still remains about the choice of date. One theory says that the original date was chosen as April 19 because it was a date which Robyn Anderson, one of the people who purchased the guns and close friends with Klebold, would not be present. Due to delays in the making of the propane bombs, the date was moved to April 20. Some analysts noted that the date of the shooting coincided with Adolf Hitler's 110th birth anniversary, and was one day after the anniversaries of the Oklahoma City Bombing and the immolation of the Branch Davidians of Waco, though it cannot be confirmed whether knowledge of any of these dates influenced Harris and Klebold. It is believed that the shootings were perhaps plotted for these days because of their proximity to end of the year activities, such as prom (which had been held the previous Saturday), end of the year examinations, and graduation, ensuring high attendance rates.[21]
Both Harris and Klebold were fans of violent video games such as Doom and Wolfenstein 3D. Harris often created levels for Doom that 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. [22] 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 movies, theorizing that their obsession with these forms of media may have led them to have difficulty telling the difference between reality and fantasy. American media compared the massacre to a fantasy sequence from the 1995 film The Basketball Diaries in which protagonist Leonardo DiCaprio wears a black trenchcoat and shoots six classmates in his school's hallways. Some eyewitnesses at the school compared the events to scenes from the 1999 film The Matrix. Several unsuccessful lawsuits against video game manufacturers were filed as a result by parents of some of the victims.
Blame for the shootings was also directed at Marilyn Manson and other rock music groups. However, an overlook of Harris' website showed both shooters disliked Manson and most other mainstream music. This claim was also backed up by close friends of the pair who have testified they were more into German rock bands, such as Rammstein. Upon release of this information, Rammstein came under heavy criticism from conservative and Christian groups in the United States, who claimed (among other things) that lead vocalist Till Lindemann's rolling Teutonic Rs were an imitation of Adolf Hitler's diction. In response, the band issued this statement:
"The members of Rammstein express their condolences and sympathy to all affected by the recent tragic events in Denver. They wish to make it clear that they have no lyrical content or political beliefs that could have possibly influenced such behavior. Additionally, members of Rammstein have children of their own, in whom they continually strive to instill healthy and non-violent values."
German-industrial band KMFDM received similar criticism. Harris' website featured lyrics to KMFDM songs and the shooting coincidentally occurred on the release date of their album Adios. KMFDM frontman Sascha Konietzko released a statement to the press the day following the shooting, expressing his own grief at the shooting, and emphasised their music is "a statement against war, oppression, fascism and violence against others" and that "while some of the former band members are German as reported in the media, none of us condone any Nazi beliefs whatsoever."[23]
Detroit-based rap outfit Insane Clown Posse was also singled out for their aggressive and occasionally violent lyrics and the incorporation of black trenchcoats into their stage apparel.
Marilyn Manson continued to voice his concerns over the media connecting the massacre to the entertainment industry. He contributed a column to Rolling Stone magazine and was an interviewee in Michael Moore's film Bowling for Columbine. The blame by the media and parents for the shooting was the inspiration, in part, for Manson's fourth album, Holy Wood (In the Shadow of the Valley of Death). Some also blame the film Natural Born Killers, which the shooters watched over and over again.
In July 1999, the FBI organized a major summit on school shooters in Leesburg, Virginia. They brought in many of the world's leading psychologists and psychiatrists, and representatives from each of the recent school shootings, including a large Columbine contingent. Attorney General Janet Reno was also in attendance. The FBI eventually published a major report on school shooters, though it steered clear of causes on any individual case. However, on the fifth anniversary of Columbine, the FBI's lead Columbine investigator and other top psychiatrists went public with their conclusions in a Slate story entitled The Depressive and the Psychopath.[24] They diagnosed Harris as a clinical psychopath and Klebold as a depressive, and saw that the plan was masterminded by Harris. He had a messianic-level superiority complex, and hoped to illustrate his massive superiority to the world.
Other related archives1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2004, 2005, 9 x 19 mm, 9-1-1, Zero Hour, Adolf Hitler, America Online, April 19, April 20, April 21, April 30,
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