Timeline

Before the shooting

Harris, Klebold & Associates' activities

6:00 a.m. - 7:00 a.m.

6:15 a.m. Klebold is seen talking to Nate Dykeman inside the bowling alley. (Justin Kehm)

--"Justin stated that he had been at his bowling class at the AMF bowling alley at Federal and Bellview, the class started at 6:15 a.m. I asked Justin if he knew Harris or Klebold, and he stated that when he got to class he saw Dylan talking to Nate Dykeman, near the front doors but he didn't remember seeing him after about 7 or 7:10 a.m. I asked Justin if he saw Eric and he stated no." (11k, p.6710)

--"Saw Klebold talking to Dykeman at bowling on 4/20." (10k, p.16289)

Note: Kehm used to play soccer with Harris.

6:15-6:20 a.m. - Harris is seen at the bowling alley; threatens Jessica Rosecrans. (Jessica Rosecrans)

--"On 04/20/1999, Jessica Rosecrans observed Eric Harris at the AMF Belleview lanes at approximately 6:15 - 6:20 a.m., when Harris stated to her, "You are such a stuck up bitch. Someday you are going to pay for it." (11k, p.17489)

--"At approximately 6:15 to 6:20 a.m., Rosecrans was getting her shoes when she saw Harris. Harris said to her, "[REDACTED]." That comment was the extent of their conversation. Rosecrans did not see anyone else from Harris' team." (11k, p.4239)

--"Harris was believed to be wearing a blue and white flannel shirt, jeans, Nike hat, and Nike shoes. It is unusual for Harris to wear Nike apparel." (11k, p.4239)

Note: Rosecrans personally knew Harris and Klebold.

6:20 a.m. - Shanna Geslin sees four cars parked side-by-side in the senior parking lot at 6:20 a.m. (Shanna Geslin)

--"Drove N/B on Pierce Street at about 0620 on 4-20-99 en route to Sophomore parking lot in Clement Park. At that time noticed 4 cars in Senior parking lot that were parked "side by side" which she thought was unusual. Was unable to describe these cars of their occupants." (11k, p.6424)

7:00 a.m. - 8:00 a.m.

7:05 a.m. - TCM associate Frank Zirger notices Harris bending over the trunk of his car with another male. (Frank Zirger)

--"Frank is familiar with Eric Harris' car, a light gray 1989 Honda Prelude with a "Rammstein" sticker on the rear window. As Frank walked past the Junior lot, he saw Eric's car parked in the Junior lot with the trunk open, and saw Eric behind the car, somewhat bent over as if he was doing something in the trunk. The car was approximately 30-40 feet from the school. Eric was wearing black fatigue pants and possibly his black KMFDM t-shirt. This caught his attention because it was unusual to see Eric and school that early, and that he was not parked in his usual spot, which is in the Senior lot. He had already walked past the car, passing within about 10-15 feet of it, and did not say anything to Harris. He does not know if any of the others with him saw Eric. Frank said that while not absolutely certain, there may have been another male standing near the car with Eric, described as tall, slender, black pants, black waist-length jacket with no patches, whose back was to him." (11k, pp.7412-7413)

7:15 a.m. - Harris and Klebold are seen inside the bowling alley. (Andrew Beard)

--"Beard said that on the morning of 04-20-99 he was at bowling class and observed Harris and Klebold at the opposite end of the bowling alley. Beard wanted to approach Klebold about the fantasy baseball trade, and when he finished bowling he went looking for him. Klebold and Harris were gone. Beard described Harris as wearing his trench coat, and Klebold as wearing his black t-shirt and Boston Red Sox baseball cap. Beard believes that both Harris and Klebold were wearing jeans. Beard estimated he saw Harris and Klebold at 07:15 and discovered that the were gone at approximately 07:30." (11k, p.685)

7:15 a.m. - Harris is seen in the cafeteria wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans with an unknown male. (Abigail Boles)

--"She stated that at approximately 0715 hours that day, she saw Eric Harris in the commons, or cafeteria area, at which time she said, "Hi" to him. She stated that he returned the greeting and then she said goodbye to him while she was en route to her first class... She stated that Eric Harris at that time was wearing normal blue jeans and a white t-shirt, with some type of print on it. She also stated that he was carrying a black backpack with him.

Abigail Boles further advised the investigators that when she met him that morning in the commons area he was with some other male that she did not know by name. She stated that she has seen this person around the school before and that he had not graduated from the school. Upon further questioning, she was explicit in the fact that this other person was not Dylan Klebold with Eric Harris in the commons area. She further was certain that this person also was not a 'Trench Coat Mafia' member, otherwise she probably would have known his name. She could only describe this other person as being a white male, and being of the same height as Eric harris. She further stated that this person had short dark brown hair." (11k, pp.6160-6161)

--"Abigail Boles saw Eric Harris, wearing white t-shirt in cafeteria at 0715 hrs, April 20th - exchanged greetings and she went to class." (10k, p.17969)

7:20 a.m. - Sarah Roasberry observes three males dressed in camouflage in the upper North hall. (Sarah Roasberry)

--"Sarah continued to say that the only thing she saw that seemed unusual involved three male subjects she observed in the North main level hall about 7:20 a.m. on the morning of the twentieth who were wearing camouflage clothes. Sarah said that she did not know these people." (11k, p.4210)

7:20-7:30 a.m. - Harris walks into the school with Sarah Leary. (Sarah Leary)

--"Walked into school with Harris on 4/20/99 7:20 a.m." (10k, 16292) "Leary stated she was friends/acquaintance with Eric Harris. Leary stated on 04-20-99, at about 0730 hours, she walked into the school from the parking lot with Harris. Leary stated she walked up the steps located next to the cafeteria. Leary stated that Harris was wearing jeans, a white t-shirt, and a dark flannel shirt. Leary stated when she was greeted by Harris in the parking lot, then he gave her a hug and asked her why she was dressed up, to which she explained her activities between second and fourth period. Leary stated Harris was not carrying any books or a backpack, and that Harris usually carries a black backpack." (11k, p.6774)

7:30 a.m. - Cherilyn McClain sees a male in a trench coat and wrap around sunglasses near Belleview and Alamo. (Cherilyn McClain)

--"That on the morning of the incident (042099) at about 0730, as Cherilyn was driving South on Kipling between Belleview and Alamo, she saw a white male wearing a trench coat, no hat, and wrap around sunglasses, walking by himself with his hands in his pockets." (Tips, p.13344)

7:30 a.m. - 8:00 a.m. - Four witnesses see a group of male high school students, including Dylan Klebold, across from the "Mormon House" at S. Pierce Street and W. Polk Ave, gathered around several vehicles. (Barbara Karakusis, Tammy Solano-Gonzales, Bruce Lebsack, Julie Thomas)

Witness #1: BARBARA KARAKUSIS

--"Barbara Karakusis advised Investigator Eaton that on April 20, 1999, she dropped her daughter off at Columbine High School at approximately 0730 hours. She advised she left the school Southbound on Pierce to take her son to his school. She advised as she was Southbound on pierce passing the first street South of the school, she noticed a group of five to six white males standing and sitting on the Southwest corner of the intersection. She advised that two of the males were sitting on what appeared to be large backpacks and the rest of the males were standing talking with each other. Barbara Karakusis advised that one of the males who was standing caught her attention because he had short blond hair and he appeared to be older than the others.

"Barbara Karakusis advised Investigator Eaton all the males were dressed in black clothing and that the male who looked older than the others appeared to be in his mid-20sShe advised this male was standing and had a black colored blanket or coat draped over his left arm. Barbara Karakusis also advised that the packs on the ground were all dark colored.

Barbara Karakusis advised Investigator Eaton that she thought it odd that all the males were dressed in dark clothing and that one of them was too old to be in high school." (11k, p.7523)

Witness #2: TAMMY SOLANO-GONZALES

--"I telephoned Solano-Gonzales who said that she drove by CHS every morning on her way to work. She said that she would see a tall kid with dark curly hair wearing black military style pants and some other juvenile males outside of the school by Polk and Pierce, just about every morning. She said that on the morning of April 20, 1999, she was driving to work and saw the same tall white male, wearing the black military style pants, along with several other males, looking into the trunk of a tan colored car. Solano-Gonzales said that the males were just staring in the trunk and were not putting anything in it or pulling anything out of the trunk of the car.

Solano-Gonzales said that she had seen the same male wearing the military style pants, outside the school every morning for the past two weeks, along with several other males. I asked her why she remembers the males. She said that she specifically remembers the male who was always wearing the military style pants because there was a guy at the high school she attended who dressed the same way. She said that after arriving at work and hearing about the shooting and after seeing the picture of the shooters, she is very sure that the white male wearing the black military style pants was definitely Dylan Klebold."

She said that she took more notice of the males that morning because there were more of them than she had seen there over the past few days... Solano-Gonzales said that the other males were wearing white or light colored t-shirts while 'Klebold' was wearing black military style pants and a black t-shirt.

She described the car as being a tan or yellowish colored Plymouth Reliant type body style older model about a 1985." (11k, pp.9834-9835)

"For the past several months she had seen the same high school aged boy standing on that street corner. She said she has since recognized the boy as Dylan Klebold, from the televised coverage of the incident... Gonzales described having seen 'Klebold' standing beside a tan colored 'smaller' car on April 20, 1999 at about 7:45 a.m. She said as she drove by she saw him looking into the trunk of the car with about three other high school aged boys." (Tips, p.13206) (Also see: 10k, p.20099)

Witness #3: BRUCE LEBSACK

--"Lebsack told me that at 0800 hours, on Tuesday, 04-20-99, he was on his way to work when he saw a newer green mini-van, possibly a Ford Windstar, parked on the South side of West Polk Avenue, at the corner of South Pierce Street. Lebsack observed that outside the vehicle were several males, possibly six or seven, all dressed in black, standing at the rear of the mini-van near the cargo area." (Tips, p.13312)

Also see: (11k, Ashly Pimley, p.4072)

Witness #4: JULIE THOMAS

--"That on 042099 at about 0755 hours, Julie turned onto Polk St. from Pierce St. and saw a small, brownish/goldish truck parked on the South side of Polk St. with two teenage males seated in the cab of the truck and possibly three teenage males standing near the back of the truck.

That Julie also advised that two of the males standing near the back of the truck were wearing trench coats which she thought was odd, the third male behind the truck was dressed in black, and she did not see the clothing of the two males sitting in the cab of the truck.

That Julie further advised that across the street from the aforementioned truck is a house that has a sign out front designating it as a "Christian Center." (Tips, p.13571)

Unknown time a.m. - Sees cop car with "clearly marked police insignia" parked in one of the CHS lots sometime that morning, pre-11am. (Steve Ogle, 1056)

8:00 a.m. - 9:00 a.m.

8:25 a.m. - Klebold arrives at school. (Michelle Fox)

--"Michelle said that as Tina's car came to a stop at the South end of the parking lot, preparing to turn left, she saw Dylan Klebold drive Westward, past their car, presumably en route to his designated parking space within the senior parking lot. Michelle estimated that this would have been about 8:25 a.m. Michelle said that she immediately recognized Dylan's black BMW, and said Dylan was driving it. Michelle said that Dylan was the only person inside his car that she could see, and that as usual, Dylan was wearing a (backwards) black ball cap and his black trench coat." (11k, pp.5194-5195) Note: Fox knew Klebold since elementary school and was in Harris and Klebold's fourth hour creative writing class.

8:20 a.m. - Klebold is seen sitting in the cafeteria alone. (Brian Deidel)

--"He stated on 04-20-99, he noticed that Klebold was sitting in a back corner in the cafeteria by himself. I asked him what Klebold was wearing and he stated he was wearing his trench coat and a hat, which was backwards." (11k, p.1388)

8:36 a.m. - Harris buys 2 Blue Rhino propane tanks at the 7540 West Chatfield Conoco. (Kenneth Tubbs)

--"He further stated that at about 8:30 a.m. on that date, a white male entered the store and asked to purchase two (2) propane tanks. Mr. Tubbs describes the white male as being about 16 or 17 years old, skinny, with blond hair and wearing jeans and a t-shirt.

Mr Tubbs stated that the teenager paid for the purchase of the propane tanks with twenty dollar bills. Mr. Tubbs stated that "Blue Rhino" propane tanks are the brand of tanks sold at the Conoco gas station."

"Mr Tubbs stated that after the sale of the propane tanks, he asked another employee named Stan Gall to go outside with the customer, unlock the propane tank cage and get two propane tanks." (11k, pp.7780-7781)

--"Receipts recovered from search warrant Harris' house. Propane tank purchased 04-20-99 at 09:12:22 at Texaco, 6798 W. Ottawa. Two propane tanks purchased at Conoco-7540 W. Chatfield at 04-20-99 at 08:36:45. Evidence item #261."

Note: This event was the only propane purchase recovered from a CCTV recording. Two Blue Rhino propane tanks were found in each of Harris and Klebold's vehicles for a total of four Blue Rhino tanks. The tanks found in the cafeteria appear to have rust around the seams, which indicates they were older tanks already in their possession.

8:41 a.m. - Harris (allegedly) posts something to the internet from his home computer. (CNN.com) Unknown time a.m. - A contractor working for Harris' neighbor sees Harris and Klebold breaking things. The times appear to have been redacted.

--"Reffitt stated he was working next door to Harris' residence on 4-19-99 and 4-20-99. Saw Klebold and Harris both days. Heard them banging on wood and breaking glass. Reffitt saw Harris with a crow bar. They were working between [REDACTED] and [REDACTED] [REDACTED]." (10k, p.17997)

9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m.

9:00 a.m. - Leigh Ann Clark sees a trench coated male covered in chains using a pay phone. He is wearing black sunglasses, a long black coat, and a black backpack. She picks him out of a photo lineup. (pp.2723-8) Leigh Ann Clark.

--"I have second hour off about 9:00 a.m. I was walking to see my friend in jewelry class and he was walking past the phones. He was tall, about 6', white, skinny, his hat was backwards, he had sunglasses on, black long coat with some kind of a red heart cross thing on it, black army boots that went up high to the knees, black pants with pockets on the sides, chains everywhere on him, and a black backpack. He was walking slowly and looking around slowly." (11k, p.2723)

--"Leigh Ann stated she saw the "weird" student as she was approaching this classroom around 9:00 a.m., and the person was looking all around while walking slowly down the hallway. The suspicious person was alone and wearing his hat on his head backwards. She went on to say he had sunglasses that were plastic and all black with circular lenses on. An insignia was in the center of a long black coat. The coat was almost knee length. It had pockets on the side and he wore it with the collar raised up in the back. Leigh Ann feels the jacket was open and had buttons to close it instead of a zipper.

The suspicious party was carrying a black backpack over his right shoulder. He had metal chains on his hat, backpack, and pants. His black pants were fabric, not jean material, and had pockets on the side. His boots were black and high, almost to the knee with black shoe strings." (11k, p.2726)

--"She went on to say that the subject had been using the pay phones located near the attendance office, and had been on the phone nearest the interior wall."

"R/I responded to CHS and noted the phone number of the phone alluded to above as 303-979-9631. The numbers of the 2 additional pay phones were recorded as 303-979-9625 (center) and 303-979-9613 (nearest the hall)." (11k, p.2728)

Note: When deciphering the redaction, the spacing perfectly fits Robert Perry.

The subject identified and redacted fits Robert Perry.	The subject identified and redacted fits Robert Perry.	The subject identified and redacted does not fit Chris Morris.

9:00 a.m. - In the junior parking lot sees two males who appear to be hiding near a white pick-up truck. (Lindsay Ludwig, 6815)

9:00 a.m. - Klebold arrives at Harris' house (FNU Konen, 10237)

9:05 a.m. - Klebold leaves Harris' house (FNU Konen, 10237)

9:12 a.m. - Harris buys 1 propane tank at the 6798 West Ottawa Texaco (Tammy McGinnis)

--"Contact regarding sale of one propane tank on 4/20/00 at 9:12 a.m. for $52.39. Tammy LNU advises that she was on duty and probably made the sale."

"Completed interview with Tammy McGinnis on 4-27-99. She identified a photo of Eric Harris #3 in photo spread as having purchased propane tank on 4-20-99. Sale occurred at about 9:12 a.m." (10k, p.18077)

--"Receipts recovered from search warrant Harris' house. Propane tank purchased 04-20-99 at 09:12:22 at Texaco, 6798 W. Ottawa. Two propane tanks purchased at Conoco-7540 W. Chatfield at 04-20-99 at 08:36:45. Evidence item #261."

"Video collected-day of occurrence, was filmed over-no value." (10k, p.17601)

9:30 a.m. - Harris and Klebold are seen sitting on Harris' car (Mollie Wechsler, 7356)

9:35 a.m. - Local resident Meg Beck sees a black-clad teenager sitting under a tree near Coal Mine. He is wearing a trench coat and appears to be a “lookout.” (p.13015)

10:00 a.m. - 11:00 a.m.

10:05 a.m. - Harris is seen by the gym wearing a black t-shirt with green writing, black pants, and carrying small black pack. (Daniel Bell (21918)

10:15-10:20 a.m. - Harris and Klebold are seen outside the front of the school between the main hall and the South hall exit door. (Mike Casey, 22404)

10:20 a.m. - Klebold is seen coming out of the social studies wing. (Michael Berry (5384)

10:40 a.m. - About a block from the school, a construction worker sees four teenagers in a black BMW, closely followed by a tan sedan holding two more. He later identifies the BMW as Klebold’s. (Rocky Mountain News, 4-23-99)

J. Adams(7422) and Roger Anderson(7430): Construction workers, they see a black BMW carrying 4 teenagers followed by a small tan car with 2 people drive in and out of a cul-de-sac near Caley and Pierce, followed five minutes later by the sound of bombs. According to video teacher Gary Talocco(8976), roof repairman Gary Clark told him he saw 3 people exit a vehicle with H&K, and that a tan vehicle followed them into the lot. Clark denies he ever said any such thing.

10:45 a.m. - Harris and Klebold are seen at the smoker's pit with Brian Sargent (Nicole Dickey, 16279)

10:58 a.m. - Harris brings a large duffel bag and a backpack into the cafeteria. (CCTV)

10:59 a.m. - Harris leaves the cafeteria empty handed. (CCTV)

10:59 a.m. - Klebold brings a large duffel bag and a backpack into the cafeteria. (CCTV)

11:00 a.m. - Harris is seen leaving the school parking lot (Leigh Ka.m.ens, 19939 - she notes 10:55 a.m.)

11:00 a.m. - Lucas Milne observes Robert Perry talking to some friends in the cafeteria. (p.5623)

11:00 a.m. - Shooting begins

11:05-11:10 a.m. Harris is seen at the smoker's pit wearing a trench coat. He's with Brooks Brown, Rachel Scott, & Taran Fleming. (Jennifer Smull, 2183)

11:10-11:20 a.m. - Klebold is seen pulling into student parking lot. (Andrew Beard, 684; Amanda Mandralla, 1003 & 16297; Chad Laughlin, ; Tony Martinez, 7533, sechler)

"Beard said as he drove through one of the aisles in the parking lot, Klebold drove his BMW into the same aisle. Klebold was traveling in the opposite direction... Beard estimates the time of this encounter as between 11:15 and 11:20." (11k, p.684)

11:10-11:15 a.m. - Klebold is seen pulling into student parking lot with a passenger (Tony Martinez, 7533)

11:10 a.m. - Klebold is seen entering the cafeteria wearing a trench coat and walks to the vending machines. (Chris Wisher, 1261)

11:10 a.m. - Kelly Hendricks notices two individuals in trench coats exiting a small car in the parking lot. (p.847)

11:10 a.m. - Candice Cushman sees two males in trench coats sitting near the faculty lounge. (p.2795)

11:15 a.m. - Harris, Klebold, and a third, unfamiliar man are seen entering the cafeteria. The man is wearing a white T-shirt and blue jeans, and is later identified by one witness as an associate of Mark Manes. (pp.829-34/1159-60)

11:10 a.m. - 11:15 a.m. - Jennifer Smull sees one of Klebold’s friends come through the main entrance with a heavy black duffel bag. He is wearing a black trench coat and camouflage pants. (p.2185)

11:15 a.m. - Patrick Vassar sees four or five black-clad individuals walking away from the main entrance. They are all wearing trench coats, except for one, who is wearing camouflage pants. (p.4691)

11:15 a.m. - Jason Brehm notices a round-faced male in a trench coat leaning against a tree by the upper west entrance, with a black nylon bag at his feet. (p.719)

11:20 a.m. - A witness sees Harris and another male in a black trench coat walking near the equipment building. The other male is described as “big and fat, with dark hair.” (pp.1167-8)

11:20 a.m. - Four or five individuals in black trench coats are seen walking toward the cafeteria. (p. 1194)

11:20 a.m. - Ada.m. Ca.m.pbell sees Harris in the parking lot with two or three other males. (p.732)

11:20 a.m. - Right before the shooting, Alisa Owen witnesses a heavyset male in the parking lot. He is wearing a black trench coat and ca.m.ouflage pants. (p.3982)

11:15 a.m. -11:20 a.m. - After the first explosion, Harris is seen talking to Brooks Brown at the top of the stairs by the West entrance. Brooks starts walking down the stairs and Harris then pulls out a gun and shoots out the West doors. (Stephanie Wagner, 1255)

11:30 a.m. - After the first shots, Nancy Lindsey notices a male in blue jeans walking toward the school with a duffel bag. She makes eye contact with him and he smiles at her. (pp.979-80)

During the shooting - timeline analysis

Rachel Scott oddities

Where was Scott shot? Some witnesses reported 2 people with her, not just Richard Castaldo. That second person may have been Jessica Rosecrans.

--"Ms. Margetts said her daughter, Jessica Rosecrans, DOB [REDACTED], was standing with the Scott girl when the Scott girl was shot. Her daughter also received a threat from Eric Harris in a bowling class earlier Tuesday morning on 04/20/1999." (11k, p.17489)

--"Ms. Margetts said her daughter was standing next to her friend R. Scott when Scott was shot. Rosecrans ran to her car and drove out of the So. school lot and went to Clement park, where she left her car." (11k, p.4238)

--"On 04/20/1999, at approximately 11:20 a.m., Rosecrans was in the cafeteria at table C with Dusty Hoffschneider, Garrett Looney, Steven Trujillo and others. Rosecrans heard shooting and explosions, but did not observe any of the activity. Rosecrans exited the school with other students. Rosecrans was not with Rachel Scott when she was shot and she has no specific knowledge of her shooting." (10k, p.17489)

--"Rosecrans was not near Rachel Scott when she was shot and does not know any specifics of her shooting." (11k, p.4240)

Note: The above line is similar to the line from her interview summary in the 10k, and seems out of place for this initial interview because nowhere in her 4-27-99 11k interview summary does it mention Rachel Scott.

--"Ms. Margetts said her daughter has went out of town and has not talked to authorities as of 4-23-99." (11k, p.4238)