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LITTLETON,
Colorado, April 19, 2002:
Two Columbine High School students who scribbled
a hit list in a park near the school have been suspended and may face
expulsion, school officials said.
"School
Shooting Map"
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"It's
unfortunate it occurred at all," Kaufman said,
"but to have it occur this week is truly a
difficult time for students and staff because of the
anniversary."
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Littleton, COLORADO, April 19, 2002: Authorities
said students reported on Monday that the names of 11 students and two staff
members were written in pencil on a pillar in Clement Park, with the words
"My Hit List" above it. The two students, both juniors, confessed.
The list, titled "My hit list," was penciled
directly onto a pillar in a pavilion at Clement Park. It named 11 students
and two staff members of the school, which was the site of the tragedy on
April 20, 1999, in which shooters Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12
students and a teacher before taking their own lives.
"Whether (the students who posted the hit list) were
serious or not, we took it very seriously," said Jefferson County
schools spokesman Rick Kaufman.
"It's unfortunate it occurred at all," Kaufman
said, "but to have it occur this week is truly a difficult time for
students and staff because of the anniversary."
Two high school juniors, both males, were suspended
Tuesday and Wednesday after police and school officials linked them to the
list. Kaufman said the boys confessed. Their names were not released.
A search of the boys' possessions, including their
lockers, found no "plans, writings, drawings or weapons" at the
school, Kaufman said. Jefferson County sheriff's spokesman Jim Shires said
deputies did not search the boys' homes.
Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis talked with the
parents of the students on the list and has informed all Columbine parents
of the incident via an automated phone dialing system. No additional
security precautions are planned, Kaufman said.
"We haven't found anything and based on what they're
telling us, we don't believe they had any intention of harming anyone,"
Kaufman said.
Columbine students, who frequently walk through the park,
discovered the list Monday morning in a pavilion commonly used for picnics.
Shires said deputies photographed the list and then cleaned it off the
pillar.
The names on the list contained "common
elements" leading school and police to the two boys, Shires said. One
boy was questioned Monday afternoon.
Additional disciplinary action against the two boys --
including expulsion -- is being considered, Kaufman said.
Shires said the boys face possible charges of inciting the
destruction of life, a class 6 felony punishable by up to 18 months in
prison and a $100,000 fine.
"We take any threat extremely seriously," he
said, "and then to throw it this close to the anniversary of Columbine,
it causes so much more concern."
Columbine students do not have class today because it is a
staff training day. A brief public ceremony is planned at 11 a.m. Saturday
at Clement Park to commemorate the anniversary.
Once again we ask ourselves, "Have we done all that
we can to insure the safety of our schools?" Keys To Safer Schools.com
is making a special offer to any school to review your crisis planning and
provide a written critique of any shortcomings found. To take advantage of
this offer, mail your school’s Crisis Plan and supporting documents to:
Keys To Safer Schools.com
P.O. Box 296
Bryant, AR 72089-0296.
Visit the Keys website for valuable information and
resource material on school violence prevention at http://keystosaferschools.com.
Programs to Combat Violence
Reported By:
Mike Nelson
Director
Keys To Safer Schools.com
If
you have any comments or questions please Email us at keys@keystosaferschools.com.
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(501)246-8835
