Book review: Columbine

2009 is the tenth anniversary of the Columbine massacre. The investigations are done, the sequence of events is now clear, and the lawsuits are mostly settled. Dave Cullen, who covered the events at the time, has written a comprehensive book that assesses the case and aims to dispel the commonly held myths. Early interpretations suggested by the police and media in the first hours and days of confusion have stubbornly clung to life.

• The killers were not bullied by their schoolmates; they were both mildly popular and put-upon more by their own personalities than by fellow students. Judging by his writings, Harris was a psychopath who masterminded the planning, while Klebold was a depressive who followed along from suicidal feelings.
• They were not targeting particular students, nor were they aiming to kill specific groups such as jocks or Christians. Harris and Klebold were inspired by Timothy McVeigh, and wanted to kill everyone indiscriminately, but their bombs were poorly made and didn't detonate.
• They were not goths, trenchcoat wearers, or fans of Marilyn Manson. Students interviewed by the news media were unsure of the gunmen's identities and mis-remembered.

Cullen relates events with sympathy for the victims and their families, and for the parents of the gunmen. I can find some sympathy for Klebold, who clearly suffered from depression and thought he was worthless; perhaps he could have successfully treated. For Harris, though, I find it impossible: if he was in fact a psychopath, there probably was no treatment or care that could have deflected him.