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Remembering Columbine
A Colorado photographer looks back on the images he made in the wake of the shootings at Columbine High School.
A tragedy struck Columbine High School, in Littleton, Colorado on Tuesday, April 20, 1999. In the usually quiet western suburb of Denver, twelve students and a teacher were shot to death, and twenty-four others were wounded by two students who later took their own lives. The nation was in shock.
Twenty years earlier, I photographed the parades of veterans who fought in Vietnam. The emotional wounds of the war were evident throughout the United States, and for those who fought alongside us, our allies from South Korea, Australia, and those in their home country. Similar to documenting the emotional wounds of war, I felt compelled to photograph the events that followed the trauma at Columbine High School.
Early on April 24, I drove to Clement Park to photograph whatever I could find. By then, individuals, groups of people, and local schools brought flowers, banners of support, and even made memorials of the victims’ cars. News organizations were out in force; vans, trucks, camera crews, lighting, sound, all supporting the national and local reporters who would discuss the events on the evening news cast.
My only notes from that time reflect my feelings: “Sick - Stress, Shooting at Columbine.” These images represent my efforts to show the outpouring of compassion and care that came from the surrounding schools and community. In 1999, the emotional trauma of children being murdered in an American school was an unheard of tragedy. Today, it is a tragic experience that happens more than we want to think, or remember.
Visitors gather for prayer, and a hug.
A Cherry Creek High School banner with literally hundreds of signatures, thoughts, and well wishes.
“Friend, Coach, Father,” describe Dave Sanders, the science teacher and coach killed in the massacre. Dave died protecting his students.
A couple visiting the cross on “Rebel Hill” at sunset.
A big heart with many thoughts and prayers among the growing well wishes, and tents set up for reporters and film crews.
Trekking up “Rebel Hill” in Clement Park to the cross. A couple of inches of snow on April 22 created a muddy mess where people made paths to this high point.
Jefferson County Sheriff John Stone was busy answering questions from news reporters and families.
A plastic covering protects the car of one student killed at Columbine High School. Several cars left in the parking lot were made into memorials.
A woman placing her thoughts and prayers among the growing collection of condolences. A line of TV trucks are in the background.
Roses placed in line on the fence at the school tennis courts.
During a lull in work, a sound technician reads the April 24, 1999 issue of The Denver Post.
Steve Davis, Jefferson County Sheriff spokesman, addresses reporters at a news conference. Jefferson County Sheriff John Stone stands behind.
Steve Davis, Jefferson County Sheriff spokesman (left), and Jefferson County Sheriff John Stone (right), speak to reporters at a news conference.
On the tennis court fence, a letter dated April 24, 1999, from the Denver School of Gymnastics, expresses the feelings and sympathies of so many. Instead of the crowded grounds, people tied their messages of heartfelt condolences on chain-linked fences.
Placing a bouquet of flowers at the Columbine High School sign made of blue and silver paper flowers on the tennis court fence.
A man and a woman stop to admire a snow angel in Clement Park.
People walking up “Rebel Hill” in Clement Park to visit the wooden cross, its blue and white balloons and the many notes sharing their messages with the wind.
Overlooking Columbine High School and the rest of the community, people gather at the cross on “Rebel Hill” in Clement Park, pause, and reflect on the senseless tragedy.