WHAT CAUSED IT?

bullying? video games? goth subculture? what caused this terrible event?

Eric Harris was a psychopath and Dylan Klebold was severely depressive. Harris' parents did not recognise that he was having issues at school, or the signs of his mental illness, and did not get help for him. Klebold's parents also did not recognise his depression, which made it worse.

Both children were neglected by their families. This is the underlying cause for every other reason why the shooting happened.

WEAPONS

The boys bought their first weapons five months before the shooting. They hid these weapons in their parents' homes. This shows the extent of the neglect. Their parents did not notice that there were illegal weapons being kept in their homes because they had no involvement in their children's lives.

NEGLECT

MENTAL ILLNESSES

FRIENDSHIPS

Both boys did not have many friends. Dylan did not have a normal life at home, and so found comfort in Eric's controlling character. Harris enjoyed having someone to share his murderous feelings with. This unhealthy relationship twisted their minds further. Also, Klebold's parents did not try to stop him from seeing Harris, even after the two were arrested for trespassing. This shows the extent of their neglect.

OTHER REASONS

The boys were bullied and homophobic slurs were made towards them which built up resentment against their fellow students.

Quote from Bangor Daily Newspaper, published April 22 1999

Klebold and Harris practicing their shooting