Dylan Klebold's Death
Did Dylan Klebold kill himself?
If so, how? If not, what happened?
An objective, thorough evidence-based analysis.
Key evidence items referenced
JCSO #903: “Intra-tec 9mm model TEC-DC9, semiautomatic pistol, S/N D076305, one round in chamber, live rounds in magazine.” [Source: Library, Team 2, p.12325]
JCSO #1093: The magazine found in the TEC-DC9M pistol.
JCSO #1096: The live round found in the TEC-DC9M chamber.
JCSO #8680/CBI #261: The 9mm shell casing from the bullet that killed Klebold (Firearm Discharge #11)
Why do people question Dylan Klebold's death?
Although Dylan Klebold’s death was ruled a suicide, some people believe Harris killed Klebold.
This claim was first published in 2002 in the National Enquirer alongside two leaked crime scene photos of the shooters’ bodies.
However, the evidence doesn’t support this conclusion (and neither do the photos). The documented evidence and photos suggest Harris died first, which means he could not have killed Klebold.
On this page, you’ll find out why. You’ll also discover a shocking revelation about the leaked photos that will change everything you think you know about the crime scene.
First, let’s take a quick look at why people believe Harris killed Klebold.
Did Eric Harris kill Dylan Klebold?
Those who believe Harris killed Klebold generally hold the following misconceptions:
Myth #1: “The Death Grip"
“Klebold was found tightly gripping the TEC-DC9M in his right hand, which means either someone planted the pistol in his hand or he was shot while already holding onto the pistol.”
Myth #2: The “Trajectory Dilemma”
“Klebold could not have achieved the fatal bullet’s trajectory through his left temple using his right hand, therefore Harris killed Klebold and then planted Klebold’s right hand over the TEC-DC9M to make Klebold’s death appear as a suicide.”
Myth #3: “The Murder Weapon”
“Harris killed Klebold with the Hi-Point rifle, not the TEC-DC9M, and there’s no proof the fatal bullet came from the TEC-DC9M.”
Myth #4: “The Missing Magazine”
“The TEC-DC9M was found without a magazine and a live round in the chamber. If Klebold killed himself with this pistol, it had to have a magazine attached to load that last round into the chamber. There was no magazine, therefore, suicide with the pistol is impossible.”
ALL of these claims are demonstrably false.
The evidence-based truth in summary
"The Death Grip"
- Klebold was not found “tightly gripping” the TEC-DC9M. His fingers were "slightly curved" over the grip (the gun was upside-down with his pinky finger close to the trigger box).
"The Trajectory Dilemma"
- The fatal trajectory would have been easy for Klebold to achieve via suicide and the fact that the TEC was found under his right hand has no bearing on what hand pulled the trigger because (1) the gun was upside down under his palm, which means if someone 'planted' the gun under his hand, they planted it upside-down, which makes no sense. And (2) the gun was attached to a strap around his body and would have fallen from his grip, remaining close to his body no matter how he (or anyone else) pulled the trigger.
“The Murder Weapon”
- The TEC-DC9M unquestionably fired the fatal shot (not the carbine). There was drawback in the barrel of the TEC matching Klebold's DNA, which means the fatal shot came from the TEC. The fatal bullet came from Firearm Discharge #11.
“The Missing Magazine”
- The TEC-DC9M was found with a loaded magazine attached.
Now let’s look at each claim in-depth.
Point #1: The Death Grip
Myth: “Klebold was found tightly gripping the TEC-DC9M in his right hand, which means either someone planted the pistol in his hand or he was shot while already holding onto the pistol.”
Evidence-based truth: Klebold was not found tightly gripping the TEC-DC9M.
JCSO detective Jim Jennings documented Klebold’s fingers as being “slightly curved” with his palm down. [Source: CBI Crime Scene Report, Team 2 p.3]
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This doesn’t look like a tight grip. Klebold's index and middle fingers are loosely curved and his middle finger is so loose that you can see the inside of his finger. You could probably stick a toothbrush through his pointer and middle fingers they’re so open. This is not a tight grip.
Other than this handwritten note, there are only three other places where the gun is described being in Klebold’s hand. None mention Klebold 'gripping' or 'tightly gripping' the pistol:
(1) States the gun was “in the right hand and under the right leg of Klebold” [Source: Library, Team 2, p.12302]
(2) States the gun was “removed from Klebold’s right hand” [Source: Library, Team 2, p.12302]
(3) States his “right hand was around the grip of the Tec-9 pistol” [Source: Library, Team 2, p.12303]
There is no documented evidence stating Klebold was tightly gripping or even gripping the pistol. The documented evidence states the opposite - that the grip of the pistol was found under his palm and his fingers were “slightly curved” over the top.
Slightly curved fingers do not constitute a grip.
The idea that Klebold was found “tightly gripping” the TEC-DC9M comes from a misperception of one of the leaked crime scene photos.
Some people look at the photo above (right) and see a “tight grip.” However, upon close examination, it’s clear that Klebold’s hand is not gripping anything (furthermore, there is no gun in this photo, and his hand is over a section of bunched-up strap). Klebold’s fingers are so loosely curved that the back of his hand and knuckles are flat and the inside of his middle finger tip is partially visible.
A flat hand and loose fingers can’t be gripping anything. Forming a grip causes your fingers and the back of your hand to form a 90-degree angle. Klebold’s hand is flat - only his fingers are slightly curved, as was documented.
Why does it matter if Klebold’s hand was tightly gripping the pistol?
When you think he was found “tightly gripping” the pistol, the next question is, “why would he be gripping the pistol with his right hand when it would have been impossible for him to shoot himself with his right hand? Eric must have killed him!” This conclusion is based on a faulty premise.
When a gunshot victim is found gripping a gun in their hand, there are only 4 ways the gun could have gotten into their hand:
[1] They were holding the pistol at the time of death. If they are believed to have committed suicide, gripping the gun suggests they pulled the trigger with the hand left holding the gun.
[2] They were holding the gun while they were shot or committed suicide with a second gun.
[3] Somebody planted the gun in their hand.
[4] They grabbed the gun after they were shot.
In Klebold’s case, the misperception that he was found tightly gripping the pistol makes people wonder how he could have committed suicide by using his right hand to shoot himself in the left temple. The angle is impossible. This much is true. However, he wasn’t found gripping the pistol, so there’s no reason to presume suicide by his right hand is how the gun got underneath his fingers.
That Klebold's hand was over the pistol is meaningless because (1) the gun was upside-down under his palm with his pinky finger near the trigger (not in a firing position), and (2) the gun was on a strap, so of course it would stay close to the right side of his body as he fell on his right side.
Why were Klebold’s fingers curved?
While the common assumption is that Klebold’s fingers are curved over the grip because he died holding the gun, that may not be the case. Klebold’s fingers most likely became curved because of rigor mortis. Fingers naturally curl as if they are holding something after a person dies.
Also, some people’s fingers start to curl days or weeks before they pass. Even though they aren’t in rigor, their fingers become frozen in a curled position that gradually becomes more pronounced, which is how medical professionals know death is imminent for some patients.
Did Harris plant the pistol in Klebold’s hand?
The “death grip” misperception gives rise to the next assumption: that Harris killed Klebold and planted the gun in his right hand. How else could the pistol have gotten into his right hand if he couldn’t have shot himself right-handed? Doesn’t that mean the pistol was planted?
There is no evidence that suggests the pistol was planted in Klebold’s right hand. There’s a reasonable explanation for how Klebold’s fingers could have ended up “slightly curved” over the grip even if he didn’t shoot himself with his right hand. This will be addressed in detail shortly, but basically, he could have fallen on the pistol and grabbed around for it while he was on his back, still alive.
Point #2: The Trajectory Dilemma
Myth: “Klebold could not have achieved the fatal bullet’s trajectory through his left temple using his right hand, therefore Harris killed Klebold and then planted Klebold’s right hand over the TEC-DC9M to make Klebold’s death appear as a suicide.”
Evidence-based truth: The premise is true, but the conclusion is false.
It’s presumed that the only way the pistol could have gotten under Klebold’s right fingers was if he held onto the pistol after killing himself. Since the wound angle would have been impossible to achieve by firing the pistol with his right hand, the conclusion is that someone planted the pistol in his hand. This conclusion is based on faulty reasoning.
The angle would have been possible to achieve via suicide, but only in certain ways. For example, he could have held the pistol with two hands and pulled the trigger. Regardless of what hand or finger he used to pull the trigger, the pistol would have dropped to his side, still attached to the strap, and pulled toward his right side since that’s the direction his body fell. From there, he could have placed his right hand over the pistol after he fell.
This is the approximate trajectory of the bullet that killed Klebold. Since we don’t have autopsy diagrams, it’s hard to determine the exact points of entry and exit. However, the trajectory was not a 90-degree angle and the gun was not touching his head.
Dr. Ben Galloway, the coroner who examined Klebold’s body, described the wound:
“The projectile penetrated the cranium through the left temporal bone; extended across the undersurface of both cerebral hemispheres; exiting the head through the right temporal bone…
The projectile traveled left to right slightly front to back and slightly downward. The characteristics of the wound are consistent with a large caliber weapon; with a close contact range of fire; consistent with self-infliction.”
[Source: Klebold’s autopsy report]
This angle would not have been possible for Klebold to achieve by firing the pistol with his right hand into his left temple. However, Klebold could have easily achieved this angle with both hands.
What is a close contact wound?
A “close contact range of fire” does not involve contact between the firearm and the subject. In general, by most standards, a “close contact” range can be anywhere from 15cm-60cm, depending on how far the firearm projects its flame. However, there is no actual contact between the barrel and the person’s body.
The orientation of the pistol under Klebold’s hand matters
There’s one more critical detail. It’s already established that Klebold was not gripping the pistol. It’s equally important to note the orientation of the pistol under Klebold’s fingers. The orientation of the pistol under Klebold’s fingers is upside-down, which suggests his right hand ended up over the grip after he fell to the ground. If he continued to hold onto the pistol after firing a shot into his head, he was holding the pistol upside-down when he pulled the trigger, which doesn't make sense.
Let’s look at this in-depth.
When found, Klebold’s right fingers were slightly curved over the grip of the pistol, but the gun was upside-down.
Look closely at the photo on the right. The pinkie finger is at the top near the trigger box, while the pointer finger is at the bottom of the grip. This is how the pistol was found under Klebold's hand. This position is not a firing position. People don't fire guns upside-down. If you did, you would have to use your pinkie finger to pull the trigger.
Why does it matter that Klebold’s hand was found backwards over the grip? It answers the question of, “how did the pistol get under his fingers?”
The pistol came to be in his right hand after he fell to the floor. (This is the only possibility).
Now we can be certain that Klebold didn’t shoot himself with the pistol in his right hand and fall to the floor while still gripping the pistol. This doesn't mean he didn't use his right hand or both hands. It just means if he shot himself, the pistol fell out of his hand(s) and he moved his right hand over the grip when he landed on the floor on top of the pistol.
It doesn’t mean he didn’t shoot himself. It doesn’t mean he was murdered. That’s a separate subject.
It simply means that the combination of: suicide with a backwards grip+hand remaining on the grip as he fell=impossible. In other words, we can be certain Klebold didn’t commit suicide and then fall to the floor with the pistol still in his hand. The pistol came to be under Klebold’s right fingers after the fatal shot was fired.
Was the pistol planted in Dylan’s hand?
The next question is: Did Klebold put his hand over the pistol after the fatal shot, or did someone plant it in his hand?
The false belief that Klebold was found “tightly gripping” the pistol, and the misperception that the pistol was right-side-up are the only reasons to consider that someone may have planted the pistol in his hand. Since these are both false, there’s no reason to suspect the pistol was planted.
Gravity likely pulled the pistol to Klebold’s right as he fell
How could the pistol have gotten underneath Klebold’s right fingers if he shot himself using his left hand?
The pistol was on a strap that went around Klebold’s shoulder and connected to his waist. After firing the pistol, if the recoil knocked the pistol out of his hand, the pistol’s movement would have been restrained and gravity would have pulled it in the same direction he fell (to his right).
We know Klebold briefly rested on the right side of his face, then rolled over and aspirated blood before he died. According to his autopsy report, he was capable of some involuntary movement. It’s possible that he grabbed at the pistol with his right hand after rolling over. He may not have lost consciousness right away.
Klebold’s wound was found ‘consistent with suicide’
Klebold's wound was found to be "consistent with suicide," but there's something contradictory about what Dr. Galloway described in the autopsy report. He wrote, "The projectile traveled left to right slightly front to back and slightly downward. The characteristics of the wound are consistent with... self-infliction.”
According to decades of research, a downward bullet path is indicative of homicide, not suicide.
From a study published in 2002 titled Autopsy features relevant for discrimination between suicidal and homicidal gunshot injuries:
"Consequently, some bullet path directions cannot be considered indicative of suicide: downwards and back-to-front in gunshots to the temple, left-to-right in gunshots to the left chest and downwards in mouth shots. The isolated autopsy findings can only be indicative of suicide or homicide but the combined analysis of several findings can be associated with a high probability."
It's also uncommon for suicides to have no barrel contact, although it does happen. It's just rare. Given the weight and size of Klebold's pistol combined with an angle that would have bent his wrists unnaturally inward, it's hard to believe he shot himself with one hand pulling the trigger. His long arms wouldn't factor into the strain on his wrists. He would have had to curl his left wrist inward extremely hard to get the barrel of the gun to point slightly front-to-back while still allowing him to pull the trigger. (If you make a model TEC to scale you can see for yourself).
Klebold has two unusual wound characteristics for a suicide
No contact with his head and a downward bullet path.
Although these points should be taken into account - a downward bullet path by itself, and a lack of barrel contact - it doesn't mean Klebold was killed. It's possible that he engaged in a rushed, sloppy suicide where he grabbed the pistol with two hands, didn't press the barrel to his head, and pulled the trigger quickly as he moved the gun to his temple.
Could Klebold have achieved this angle via suicide?
While he couldn’t have achieved the documented trajectory by pulling the trigger with his right hand only, it would have been easy and natural for him to achieve the documented trajectory via self-infliction while holding the gun with both hands.
Possibilities: (1) He could have held the grip with both hands, right hand on the bottom, pulling the trigger with his left thumb… or (2) He could have held the magazine in his right hand, the grip in his left hand, pulling the trigger with his left thumb.
If holding the magazine sounds like an awkward way to commit suicide, rest assured, it’s not. It’s actually the most natural way to turn a TEC-9 on yourself.
Why would Klebold hold the magazine (if he did?)
The TEC-DC9M magazine is forward of the grip, making the pistol unbalanced and front-heavy. In the absence of a mounted forward pistol grip, which is illegal, people commonly fire TEC-9 models by holding the magazine in their non-dominant hand.
It would have been natural for Klebold to hold the magazine in his right hand with his left hand on the grip. From there, it would have been a simple, natural movement to turn the gun on himself and fire the fatal shot pulling the trigger with his left hand while still holding the magazine in his right hand to steady the shot. After that, the gun would have fallen, but since it was on a strap, it would have stayed close to his body as he fell.
If Klebold held his pistol this way, it would have been natural and easy to turn the gun to his left temple at the documented angle and pull the trigger while achieving the documented angle. Plus, holding the magazine would have countered the downward pull from the loaded magazine's weight.
Now it’s easy to see how a litany of false beliefs are predicated on a simple misperception of the crime scene (a “tight grip”).
And we’re just getting started.
Why are these false beliefs so pervasive? Some people are looking at the case with an inherent bias, knowing the police made several big mistakes, and they’re actively looking for cover-ups… so that’s what they see. Even when the documented evidence is right in plain sight. Other people see an optical illusion in the leaked photos, which will be addressed shortly.
Note: I adopted many of these mistaken beliefs, too, in the beginning of my research. I’m the one who published that the TEC-DC9M was found without a magazine in the early days because I read the documentation wrong. However, after leaving the case for almost 8 years, I came back with a fresh perspective and began analyzing objectively. Since I was no longer attached to the case I was able to see the truth and saw how my beliefs were wrong. And that’s why I decided to make this page.
Point #3: The Murder Weapon
Myth: “Harris killed Klebold with the Hi-Point rifle, not the TEC-DC9M, and there’s no proof the fatal bullet came from the TEC-DC9M.”
Evidence-based truth: The TEC-DC9M unquestionably fired the fatal shot that killed Klebold.
The TEC-DC9M had 1 to 1/2” of drawback (blood) in the barrel matching Klebold’s DNA.
“The DNA profiles developed from items #23A and 23C (TEC 9 pistol) matched the DNA profile from Klebold.” [Source: CBI; DNA Reports p.53]
Drawback is a specific phenomenon that would only be present if the fatal shot was fired from the TEC-DC9M. Drawback doesn’t flow into a muzzle from a pool of blood (note: the pistol was never in a pool of blood). Drawback comes from the entry wound. When the bullet impacts the body, the blood travels backwards into the barrel along the bullet's path. However, drawback doesn't always occur.
Some have said the blood in the pistol’s muzzle is just “traces of blood.” That is false. Drawback is not the same as “traces of blood.” “Trace evidence” refers to small, minute, often microscopic amounts of evidence. There is nothing minute or microscopic about 1 to 1/2 inches of drawback in the barrel of the TEC-DC9M.
“There was a flow pattern extending inside the barrel muzzle about 1 to ½ inches.” [Source: CBI, Trace Arson page 3 of 77 & Evidence Volume 2; CBI Reports, p.12112]
Drawback matching Dylan's DNA was found in the TEC-DC9M
The CBI lab report documented:
Some people wonder if the Hi-Point rifle also had blood in the barrel that may have matched Klebold’s DNA. It did not.
The Hi-Point rifle was documented as having “no visible bld in barrel.” [My apologies for not saving the page number for this note! When I find it, I will correct it asap.]
Unlike the TEC-DC9M, which had 1 to 1/2 inches of drawback matching Klebold’s DNA in the muzzle, the Hi-Point rifle had no visible blood in the barrel.
The absence of blood in the barrel doesn’t mean much on its own. The absence of evidence is not, itself, evidence. However, it’s important to cover all bases regarding the firearms and note that Dylan’s blood was not found inside the Hi-Point rifle’s barrel.
What bullet killed Klebold?
The bullet that killed Klebold was allegedly never recovered (it's not in the documentation). However, the 9mm shell casing from the bullet that killed Klebold (JCSO #8680/CBI #261 & Firearm Discharge #11) was recovered, no DNA was found and it wasn’t traced to a specific gun. [Sources: CBI, Team 2, p.370; Evidence Vol. II p.12206; Library Team 2, pp.12316-17]
Firearm Discharge #11 was found next to Klebold’s body. [Source: Library Team Two p.12809]
There’s just one problem with discharge #14 being the hole/impact from the bullet that killed Klebold: it’s in the wall under one of the windows. This would mean the fatal shot was fired from the bookshelves toward the window. With that trajectory, the bullet would have gone through Klebold’s right temple. Klebold’s entry wound was in his left temple, and the bullet traveled from the direction of the windows toward the bookshelves. Hole/impact #14 is the exact opposite trajectory of the bullet that killed Klebold.
The bullet that killed Klebold was fired from the TEC-DC9M
There is no evidence that suggests or supports the belief that Klebold was killed with the Hi-Point rifle or any other firearm.
All physical evidence supports the TEC-DC9M as the pistol that fired the fatal shot.
Point #4: The Missing Magazine
Myth: “The TEC-DC9M was found without a magazine and a live round in the chamber, which makes a suicide impossible. Klebold's TEC-DC9M was found without a magazine attached and one round in the chamber. If a magazine was attached to the TEC when found, surely it would be visible in the leaked photos, but there is no magazine visible.”
Evidence-based truth: There is no missing magazine. Klebold's TEC-DC9M was found with a loaded magazine attached and one round in the chamber. The reason no magazine is visible in the leaked photos is because there is no magazine (and no pistol) in the leaked photos. This will be discussed in-depth later.
The TEC was found with a loaded magazine
The TEC-DC9M was found with a magazine in the pistol containing live rounds. The live round found in the chamber was fed from the loaded magazine after the fatal shot was fired. The magazine was inserted into the pistol when Klebold’s body was found. Nobody removed the magazine; it was in the pistol.
The magazine with live rounds found in the TEC-DC9M pistol is JCSO evidence #1093.
Page 12325 from the Library Teams 1-7, Team Two report describes the condition of each weapon as it was found.
The TEC-DC9M is described as being found with “one round in chamber, live rounds in magazine.”
The original handwritten notes documenting the condition of the firearms found, including whether the safety was on or off, can be found in the CBI documents.
Above is the original handwritten note documenting the condition of the pistol as found.
The notes read: “loaded mag 1 in chamber safety? NO.”
[Source: CBI; Crime Scene Report Team Two, p.347]
Why does it matter if there was a magazine in the TEC-DC9M?
A live round in the chamber of the TEC-DC9M indicates the last shot was fired while a magazine was attached. After each shot from a semi-automatic pistol, a round is loaded into the chamber, fed from the magazine. A pistol won’t load a new round in the chamber without a magazine attached. No magazine would mean either (a) someone removed the magazine after the fatal shot was fired or (b) the fatal shot wasn’t fired from the TEC-DC9M.
If Klebold shot himself with the TEC-DC9M without a magazine inserted, he would have fired the last remaining bullet from the chamber and the chamber would be empty.
However, all of these points are irrelevant since the TEC-DC9M was, in fact, found with a loaded magazine.
Three false conclusions are drawn from the false belief that the TEC-DC9M was found without a magazine:
(1) Klebold couldn’t have killed himself with a pistol that didn’t have a magazine attached and feed a live round into the chamber. (True, but the pistol was found with a loaded magazine so this conclusion is invalid)
(2) The only other person in the room was Harris, therefore Harris killed Klebold. (This is an assumption and is demonstrably false)
(3) Without a magazine attached, the TEC-DC9M could not have been the weapon that fired the fatal shot. Unless the person who fired the fatal shot removed the magazine afterward and placed the pistol in Klebold’s hand. (True, but the TEC-DC9M was found with a magazine attached and was the gun that fired the fatal shot, which makes this conclusion invalid)
How we know the magazine was inserted into the pistol when found
How do we know the pistol wasn’t just collected with a magazine lying nearby and that’s why the description of evidence collected includes a magazine?
That’s a great question easily resolved by understanding what investigators are documenting when they document the condition of a firearm.
Documenting the condition of a firearm found at a crime scene includes documenting the position of visible features like the safety, action, hammer, presence of a live round in the chamber, and the presence of a magazine.
If something is not attached to the firearm, it is not included as part of the firearm’s condition. When a magazine is nearby and not attached to the firearm, it is documented as evidence, but is not considered part of the firearm’s condition.
The condition of the TEC-DC9M was documented with a loaded magazine, which means the magazine was inserted into the pistol when it was recovered from Klebold’s body.
The scene recovery log also lists a magazine with live rounds, item #1093, as being found inside the TEC-DC9M.
The documented condition of the TEC-DC9M, plus the scene recovery log proves the magazine was inserted into the TEC-DC9M when recovered by investigators.
If you’re still not convinced the magazine was inserted into the TEC, consider that Harris’ rifle was documented as ‘empty,’ yet a rifle magazine was located right next to the firearm. The rifle’s magazine was not documented as part of the rifle’s condition. Only an inserted magazine would be documented as part of a firearm’s condition when found.
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Likewise, Harris’ shotgun had one round left in the internal tube magazine and a spent round in the chamber, and was documented as such. Harris’ shotgun had a 4+1 round capacity.
What about the CBI document that says there was no magazine?
Isn't there a CBI document that documented the TEC-DC9M as being received without a magazine?
This document exists, but has nothing to do with the crime scene. This is a lab receipt.
The CBI document in question is not crime scene documentation.
There is no discrepancy.
This receipt was created to document the condition of the TEC-DC9M as it arrived in a box to the lab on 5/4/99 to be test fired. This is not crime scene documentation - it is a CBI lab receipt.
As per CBI transport requirements, the magazine was removed and the safety was engaged for transport to the CBI lab. The document reads: “Bolt knob - Push in safety on Rec’d Pushed in Safety on.” And “No Magazine in Pistol when Rec’d~”
Why was the magazine removed before sending the pistol to the CBI?
The CBI officially requires all firearms to be unloaded before being shipped or transported to their facility. Magazines must be detached before being transported even in a vehicle.
Above is an excerpt from a document titled Physical Evidence Handbook created by the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI). The authors include Chris Andrist, Alan Hammond and Tom Griffin - three officials who worked on the Columbine case. Hammond and Griffin were two of three people who removed the TEC-DC9M from Klebold’s body.
The document describes the requirement to unload a semi-automatic pistol and remove the magazine prior to transporting/mailing it to the CBI for testing.
It notes:
[3-b] “Remove the magazine.”
[3-b] “The magazine can be included in the box with the pistol if magazine is packaged in a manner that does not allow the items to be in contact. Be sure it is submitted with the pistol.”
[3-c] “Remove the live round from the chamber and package in an appropriate container.”
[5-b] “All firearms shipped or hand carried to the laboratory must be unloaded.”
[1-a] “All firearms are to be unloaded before being submitted to the CBI Laboratory for examination.”
To recap:
The CBI document is a receipt from 5/4/99 for the pistol submitted to the CBI by Jeffco in order to have the pistol tested.
To ensure a safe transport and preserve evidence, as per the CBI’s rules, the magazine was ejected and the pistol and magazine were packed separately in a box for transport. The live round in the chamber had already been removed from the pistol at the scene on April 21, 1999.
When the CBI received the box, they documented the contents and condition of the firearm as per their policy.
This is a receipt, not crime scene documentation, and is irrelevant to how the TEC-DC9M was found at the scene.
At the crime scene, the pistol was found with a loaded magazine and the safety was not engaged.
The live round found in the chamber of the TEC-DC9M
Item #1096 is the live round found in the TEC-DC9M chamber.
You might be wondering how we know the live round was removed from the chamber prior to transporting the pistol to the CBI lab since the receipt doesn’t specify if a round was chambered or not.
The live round was removed from the TEC-DC9M chamber on April 21, 1999 and was photographed by Team Two on Roll #31.
Why do people believe the TEC was found without a magazine?
The belief that the TEC-DC9M was found without a magazine is based on four misinterpretations:
Misinterpretation #1: “The leaked crime scene photos depict the scene as found, entirely untouched.”
This gives rise to the second misinterpretation…
Misinterpretation #2: "The pistol isn’t visible in the photo because it’s hidden underneath Klebold’s right leg.”
This gives rise to the third misinterpretation…
Misinterpretation #3: “Since the pistol is hidden under Klebold’s right leg, the magazine should be visible. The magazine isn’t visible in the photo, therefore the pistol wasn’t found with a magazine and the evidence logs and diagrams are all wrong.”
Misinterpretation #4: “The crime scene diagrams and sketches don’t depict a magazine, either. If the pistol were found with a magazine, the sketch artist (Laura DeLong) would have drawn the magazine.”
All four misinterpretations arise from a series of false assumptions based on a single misperception of the leaked crime scene photos. The misperception being that there is a pistol in the photo. In the leaked photos, there is no TEC-DC9M pistol. It has already been removed from Klebold’s body, and this will be addressed in detail shortly.
First, let’s address all four of the above misinterpretations.
Misinterpretation #1: The leaked crime scene photos depict the scene as found, entirely untouched.
Evidence-based truth: Yes and no. The leaked crime scene photos depict a post-bomb sweep scene where firearms have been moved and Klebold’s right arm has also been pulled out from underneath his body for the purpose of removing the pistol. However, the bodies have not been moved in any other way.
How do we know this? We have pictures that match the documentation.
Note: That the leaked photos depict a scene that has been altered doesn't mean the scene was "tampered with." On the contrary, photos are taken throughout every stage of processing the scene, and the leaked photos happen to have been taken in the middle, not during the initial walkthrough. This isn't sinister.
To prove that the leaked crime scene photos do not depict the entirely untouched original scene, let’s compare one of the leaked photos with a pre-bomb sweep photo.
On the left is the leaked crime scene photo depicting Harris’ boots, the Hi-Point rifle, the rifle’s strap, and a rifle magazine. On the right is a crime scene photo taken from a presentation depicting the crime scene before the first two bomb sweeps.
In the second photo, CO2 bombs, aka ‘crickets’ can be seen by the rifle and are not present in the first photo. This proves the leaked photos do not depict the original scene and were taken post-bomb-sweep. However, the bomb technicians did not move the suspects’ bodies during the bomb sweeps. Only Klebold’s right arm was moved when two investigators and the coroner removed the pistol from his body.
So what if the leaked photos were taken post-bomb-sweep? What does that have to do with the TEC-DC9M magazine?
The CO2 cartridge bombs (“crickets”) aren’t the only pieces evidence investigators moved/removed from the scene prior to taking the leaked photos.
Three of the four firearms have been moved in the leaked photos
The TEC-DC9M, Hi-Point rifle, and double barrel shotgun were all moved prior to the leaked photos being taken. None of these firearms are in their original positions in the leaked photos.
In addition to the presence/absence of crickets, there are two important differences between these photos.
In the photo on the right, taken before the first bomb sweep when crickets were removed, the rifle’s strap is lying over the rifle magazine. The rifle is also several inches closer to Harris’ right boot.
In the photo on the right, the rifle magazine lines up with the top edge of the rifle’ stock and the strap is over the magazine. In the photo on the left, the rifle magazine lines up with the bottom edge of the rifle’s stock and the strap is not over the magazine.
SUMMARY: The leaked photos were taken after two bomb sweeps and after the Hi-Point rifle was moved from its original position.
That’s not all…
You might be wondering if these two photos are just flipped and it only appears that the Hi-Point rifle has been moved.
Look closely. Here’s how we know these photos are different angles of the same scene and have not been flipped.
Look at the top of the rifle. You can see the slightly curved surface of the top of the rifle’s stock in the same position in each photo.
Also, in both photos, the rifle’s strap is at the top of the stock, proving both pictures are the same orientation and have not been mirrored or flipped.
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Point #2: Klebold's TEC was found with the magazine well pointing toward his left leg
Myth: The TEC-DC9M was found under Klebold's leg with the open end of the magazine well facing away from his right leg.
Evidence-based truth: The TEC-DC9M was found under Klebold's leg with the open end of the magazine well facing between his legs, toward his left leg.
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Most people assume the TEC-DC9M was found underneath Klebold's leg with the magazine well pointing out from his right leg, away from his body. However, it was actually found in the opposite orientation. The magazine was pointing toward his left leg.
Point #3: The TEC-DC9M was found with a magazine attached
Myth: Klebold's TEC-DC9M was found without a magazine attached and one round in the chamber. If a magazine was attached to the TEC when found, surely it would be visible in the leaked photos, but there is no magazine visible.
Evidence-based truth: Klebold's TEC-DC9M was found with a loaded magazine attached and one round in the chamber. The reason no magazine is visible is because there is no magazine (and no pistol) in the leaked photos. This will be discussed in the next point (#4).
Page 12325 from the Library Teams 1-7, Team Two report describes the condition of each weapon as it was found.
The TEC-DC9M is described as being found with “one round in chamber, live rounds in magazine.”
The original handwritten notes documenting the condition of the firearms found, including whether the safety was on or off, can be found in the CBI documents.
The TEC-DC9M was originally documented as “loaded mag 1 in chamber safety? NO.” (Source: CBI; Crime Scene Report Team Two, p.347)
Why does it matter if there was a magazine in the TEC-DC9M?
A live round in the chamber of the TEC-DC9M indicates the last shot was fired while a magazine was attached. After each shot from a semi-automatic pistol, a round is loaded into the chamber, fed from the magazine. A pistol won’t load a new round in the chamber without a magazine attached. No magazine would mean either (a) someone removed the magazine after the fatal shot was fired or (b) the fatal shot wasn’t fired from the TEC-DC9M.
If Klebold shot himself with the TEC-DC9M without a magazine inserted, he would have fired the last remaining bullet from the chamber and the chamber would be empty.
However, all of these points are irrelevant since the TEC-DC9M was, in fact, found with a loaded magazine.
Three troublesome conclusions are drawn from the false belief that the TEC-DC9M was found without a magazine:
(1) Klebold couldn’t have killed himself with a pistol that didn’t have a magazine attached and feed a live round into the chamber. (true, but the pistol was found with a loaded magazine so this conclusion is invalid)
(2) The only other person in the room was Harris, therefore Harris killed Klebold. (this is an assumption and is demonstrably false)
(3) Without a magazine attached, the TEC-DC9M could not have been the weapon that fired the fatal shot. Unless the person who fired the fatal shot removed the magazine afterward and placed the pistol in Klebold’s hand. (true, but the TEC-DC9M was found with a magazine attached and was the gun that fired the fatal shot, which makes this conclusion invalid)
Some people argue that when the TEC-DC9M was described as being found with “one round in chamber, live rounds in magazine,” that doesn’t mean the magazine was inserted into the weapon. However, that’s exactly what it means.
Investigators do not document the condition of a weapon when found by including a description of a magazine found on the floor near the firearm. Only an inserted magazine would be described as part of the firearm’s condition when found.
The documented condition of the TEC-DC9M proves the magazine was inserted into the TEC-DC9M when recovered by investigators.
If you’re still not convinced the magazine was inserted into the TEC, consider that Harris’ rifle was documented as ‘empty,’ yet a rifle magazine was located right next to the firearm. The rifle’s magazine was not documented as part of the rifle’s condition. Only an inserted magazine would be documented as part of a firearm’s condition when found.
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Isn't there a CBI document that documented the TEC-DC9M as being received without a magazine?
This document exists, but has nothing to do with the crime scene. This is a lab receipt, although some people falsely use it to support their stance that the pistol was found without a magazine.
The document in question is a lab receipt record of the CBI receiving the TEC-DC9M as evidence on May 4, 1999 so it could be test fired. The pistol was documented as it arrived to the CBI lab without a magazine.
It should be noted that the CBI officially requires all firearms to be unloaded before shipping or transporting to their facility. Chambers must be empty and magazines must be detached before being transported even in a vehicle.
Point #4: There is no TEC-DC9M in the leaked photos
Myth: The "suicide photos" leaked to the National Enquirer show the TEC-DC9M under Klebold's leg and right hand.
Evidence-based truth: There is no TEC-DC9M in the leaked photos; it was removed from the scene hours earlier.
This misperception is an optical illusion created by the leaked photos that imply the gun is under Klebold's right hand in the photo. In fact, there is no TEC-DC9M in the leaked photos. It has already been removed from the scene. Only the strap is under Klebold's hand.
When Klebold's body was found, both the TEC and his hand were concealed under his leg. In the leaked photo, the TEC's strap has been visibly cut and the pistol has been removed, which is why his right hand is now completely visible. When found, his hand was concealed underneath his leg.
The TEC was removed at 3:35 p.m. on April 21
Triena Harper (Chief Deputy Coroner), Alan Hammond (Denver CBI), and Tom Griffin (Denver CBI) removed the TEC-DC9M from Klebold’s hand at 3:35pm on April 21 (p.12302).
The leaked photos are from roll #8, which was taken just before 7:00 p.m., hours after the TEC had been removed from the scene. You can see the cut strap in the scene, and that cut was not there prior.
Overall photos were taken of the bodies on roll #8. There is no other description of overall photos for bodies 11&12 (Harris & Klebold). (Source: CBI, p.787 of 858)
Why is the strap in Klebold's hand?
The TEC-DC9M has a single sling point mount for the strap on the back of the pistol. When investigators removed the pistol from underneath Klebold's right hand, there would be a section of strap next to his hand. It makes sense that after removing the pistol, his hand would then naturally come to rest on top of the strap.
Point #4: Klebold was not found "tightly gripping" the pistol
Myth: Klebold was found "tightly gripping" the TEC-DC9M.
Evidence-based truth: JCSO detective Jim Jennings documented Klebold’s fingers as being “slightly curved” with his palm down.
Does this look like a tight grip? Klebold's index and middle fingers are loosely curved and his middle finger is so loosely curved that you can see the inside of his finger. You could probably stick a toothbrush through his pointer and middle fingers they’re so loose. This is not a tight grip.
Why does it matter if Klebold’s hand was tightly gripping the pistol?
When you think he was found “tightly gripping” the pistol, the next question is, “why would he be gripping the pistol with his right hand when it would have been impossible for him to shoot himself with his right hand? Eric must have killed him!” This conclusion is based on a faulty premise.
Other than this handwritten note, there are only three places where the gun is described being in Dylan’s hand, none of which say he is 'gripping' or 'tightly gripping' the gun:
(1) States the gun was “in the right hand and under the right leg of Klebold” [Source: Library, Team 2, p.12302]
(2) States the gun was “removed from Klebold’s right hand” [Source: Library, Team 2, p.12302]
(3) States his “right hand was around the grip of the Tec-9 pistol” [Source: Library, Team 2, p.12303]
Again, that Klebold's hand was over the pistol is meaningless because (1) it was upside-down under his palm with his pinky finger near the trigger, and (2) the gun was on a strap, so of course it would stay close to the right side of his body as he fell on his right side.
Point #5: The TEC-DC9M was found with a magazine attached
Myth: Klebold's TEC-DC9M was found without a magazine attached and one round in the chamber. If a magazine was attached to the TEC when found, surely it would be visible in the leaked photos, but there is no magazine visible.
Evidence-based truth: Klebold's TEC-DC9M was found with a loaded magazine attached and one round in the chamber. The reason no magazine is visible is because there is no magazine (and no pistol) in the leaked photos. This will be discussed in the next point.
Page 12325 from the Library Teams 1-7, Team Two report describes the condition of each weapon as it was found.
The TEC-DC9M is described as being found with “one round in chamber, live rounds in magazine.”
The original handwritten notes documenting the condition of the firearms found, including whether the safety was on or off, can be found in the CBI documents.
The TEC-DC9M was originally documented as “loaded mag 1 in chamber safety? NO.” (Source: CBI; Crime Scene Report Team Two, p.347)
Why does it matter if there was a magazine in the TEC-DC9M?
A live round in the chamber of the TEC-DC9M indicates the last shot was fired while a magazine was attached. After each shot from a semi-automatic pistol, a round is loaded into the chamber, fed from the magazine. A pistol won’t load a new round in the chamber without a magazine attached. No magazine would mean either (a) someone removed the magazine after the fatal shot was fired or (b) the fatal shot wasn’t fired from the TEC-DC9M.
If Klebold shot himself with the TEC-DC9M without a magazine inserted, he would have fired the last remaining bullet from the chamber and the chamber would be empty.
However, all of these points are irrelevant since the TEC-DC9M was, in fact, found with a loaded magazine.
Three troublesome conclusions are drawn from the false belief that the TEC-DC9M was found without a magazine:
(1) Klebold couldn’t have killed himself with a pistol that didn’t have a magazine attached and feed a live round into the chamber. (true, but the pistol was found with a loaded magazine so this conclusion is invalid)
(2) The only other person in the room was Harris, therefore Harris killed Klebold. (this is an assumption and is demonstrably false)
(3) Without a magazine attached, the TEC-DC9M could not have been the weapon that fired the fatal shot. Unless the person who fired the fatal shot removed the magazine afterward and placed the pistol in Klebold’s hand. (true, but the TEC-DC9M was found with a magazine attached and was the gun that fired the fatal shot, which makes this conclusion invalid)
Some people argue that when the TEC-DC9M was described as being found with “one round in chamber, live rounds in magazine,” that doesn’t mean the magazine was inserted into the weapon. However, that’s exactly what it means.
Investigators do not document the condition of a weapon when found by including a description of a magazine found on the floor near the firearm. Only an inserted magazine would be described as part of the firearm’s condition when found.
The documented condition of the TEC-DC9M proves the magazine was inserted into the TEC-DC9M when recovered by investigators.
If you’re still not convinced the magazine was inserted into the TEC, consider that Harris’ rifle was documented as ‘empty,’ yet a rifle magazine was located right next to the firearm. The rifle’s magazine was not documented as part of the rifle’s condition. Only an inserted magazine would be documented as part of a firearm’s condition when found.
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Isn't there a CBI document that documented the TEC-DC9M as being received without a magazine?
This document exists, but has nothing to do with the crime scene. This is a lab receipt, although some people falsely use it to support their stance that the pistol was found without a magazine.
The document in question is a lab receipt record of the CBI receiving the TEC-DC9M as evidence on May 4, 1999 so it could be test fired. The pistol was documented as it arrived to the CBI lab without a magazine.
It should be noted that the CBI officially requires all firearms to be unloaded before shipping or transporting to their facility. Chambers must be empty and magazines must be detached before being transported even in a vehicle.
Point #6: Why doesn't the crime scene sketch show a magazine?
Myth: The sketch artist didn't draw a magazine in the TEC, therefore it must have been found without a magazine, regardless of the documentation.
Evidence-based truth: There are plenty of things that don't get drawn in a sketch. The documentation of the weapon's condition when found says the magazine was in the gun.
As an example of how not all details are drawn, the crime scene diagram depicts the following:
- Harris’ shotgun is too low and at the wrong angle
- The Hi-Point carbine rifle is drawn with the magazine well in the middle of the stock area
- There is no trigger depicted on Harris' shotgun, but we know it had a trigger
- Klebold’s shotgun is depicted as a bumpy rectangle with a closed action, but it was found with the action open
The diagrams are not meant to be detailed, perfectly accurate depictions of the scene. They don’t accurately depict any of the weapons in detail because they use shapes that represent general firearms.
The fact that the sketch artist didn’t draw a magazine in the TEC-DC9M is a reflection of the simplicity of the sketches, not the absence of documented evidence. And it's not just the TEC-DC9M that lacks detail in the sketches. All the firearms lack details. They’re simply shapes that represent the firearms.
Point #7: The TEC-DC9M fired the fatal shot
Myth: Harris killed Klebold with the Hi-Point rifle.
Evidence-based truth: The TEC-DC9M unquestionably fired the fatal shot.
One to one-and-a-half inches of drawback matching Klebold’s DNA was found inside the barrel of the TEC-DC9M. This means the TEC-DC9M fired the fatal shot.
Some have dismissed the presence of drawback by saying there were merely meaningless “traces of blood” matching Dylan’s DNA inside the barrel of the TEC-DC9M. The implication is that “traces of Dylan’s blood” could have gotten into the barrel accidentally.
This is incorrect.
Drawback is not the same as “traces of blood.” “Trace evidence” refers to small, minute, often microscopic amounts of evidence. There is nothing minute or microscopic about 1-1.5” of blood in the barrel of the TEC-DC9M. Drawback is not just random blood that manages to flow into a muzzle from a puddle of blood or any other source. It comes from the impact of the bullet when the blood travels backwards into the barrel along the bullet's path. The only way drawback matching Klebold’s DNA got into the TEC-DC9M is if the fatal shot was fired from the TEC-DC9M.
"There was a flow pattern extending inside the barrel muzzle about 1 to ½ inches.” (Source: Evidence Volume 2; CBI Reports, p.12112)
“There was a flow pattern extending inside the barrel muzzle about 1 to ½ inches.” [Source: CBI, Trace Arson page 3 of 77]
“The DNA profiles developed from items #23A and 23C (Tec 9 pistol) matched the DNA profile from Klebold.” [Source: CBI, DNA Reports, p.53]
The 9mm shell from the bullet that killed Klebold (JCSO #8680/CBI #261) was recovered, no DNA was found and it wasn’t traced to a specific gun. [Sources: CBI, Team 2, p.370; Evidence Vol. II p.12206; Library Team 2, pp.12316-12317]
Point #8: Klebold's body was not moved to look for bombs
Myth: In the leaked crime scene photos, Klebold is on his back because they moved him during the bomb sweep.
Evidence-based truth: The bomb technicians were specifically instructed not to move the shooters' bodies while searching for and collecting bombs. At least two bomb sweeps were done before their bodies were moved to retrieve the remainder of IEDs from their inaccessible pockets.
“The sweep was done to determine if there were any additional live IEDs (with the exception of any more that would be found on the bodies of KLEBOLD and HARRIS, which had not been moved at this time). [Source: 11k, p.7811]
Point #9: Eric Harris died first
We know Harris died first because there is impact splatter on his left leg/knee area from Klebold’s exit wound. Klebold's wound and the middle of the impact splatter on Harris' leg would align perfectly if you rolled Dylan back over onto Eric’s left leg.
Klebold’s skull fragments landed between Harris’ legs while his hat was blown off his head, landing against the outside of Harris’ left leg. This is in alignment with the bullet's path.
There are also points of blood transfer on Dylan’s body and Eric’s body that would align perfectly if you rolled Dylan back over onto Eric’s left leg.
Klebold fell forward with the right side of his head briefly resting on Harris’ leg before rolling onto his back where he aspirated blood.
“Some of the blood flows on the face were also formed with the head in a position other than as found. These flows were consistent with KLEBOLD’S head resting on the right side of the face to allow the blood flow on the left side out of the wound.” [Source: Library Team 2, p.012321]
How do we know Klebold fell onto Harris’ leg and not somewhere else? The impact splatter is visible on Harris’ leg along with the additional blood that flowed out of his wound. The blood on Harris' pants came from a flowing source, and that source was Klebold's wound.
Ideally, we’d have the DNA test results from Eric’s pants to know for certain, but we don’t have that information.
Some people believe it’s merely an assumption that the blood on Eric’s leg came from Dylan, but here's how we know, even without DNA test results:
1. Impact spatter from a gunshot wound is created when blood/brain matter impacts an object while traveling in the same direction as the bullet.
2. Klebold’s brain matter is between Harris’ legs. Klebold’s brain matter would only be between Eric’s legs if his exit wound was at a slight angle or perpendicular to the floor. A shot fired into Klebold’s left temple at that angle that blew his brain matter between Harris’ legs would also create impact spatter in the same area as Harris’ left leg.
The final fact that supports the blood on Harris’ left leg being from Klebold’s exit wound is that we know blood flowed out of Klebold’s exit wound while he was resting on the right side of his face. If you rolled Klebold’s body toward Harris, his right temple would be on Harris’ knee.
Since Klebold’s brain matter was found between Harris’ legs, we know Klebold’s exit wound was above Harris’ leg when the bullet went through his head.
If Harris shot Klebold, Klebold’s blood would have been found underneath Harris’ leg because that’s where he would have landed on the right side of his face.
All of Klebold’s blood, spatter, splatter, brain matter, etc. was found in a pattern on either side of Harris’ leg. Not under Harris' body. This pattern would only exist if the blood on Harris’ pants is Klebold’s.
3. The void. There is a void around the area where Klebold’s exit wound came from. A void is not the absence of evidence, I need to make this really clear. A void is a bloodstain pattern that includes an area where blood should be, but isn’t, because something was in the way when the impact occurred.
The blood on Harris' pants is not back spatter from a victim for several reasons. Back spatter is more of a mist and small particles. The blood on Harris' pants came from a flowing source, evidenced by the fact that it has flowed down all of the folds in his pants. Also, back spatter wouldn’t have a concentrated, circular pattern of darker blood in the middle.
The only place blood flowed out of Klebold’s right temple was onto Harris’ left leg. If Klebold landed on the floor prior to Harris’ death, we would see an additional bloodstain on the carpet from when he rested on the right side of his face to allow blood to flow out of his wound.
The only bloodstains on the carpet are from Harris’ suicide by the bookshelf and below that from Klebold’s final position on his back.
The bloodstain on the carpet where Klebold’s right leg was, noted in the photo (left) spilled out of Harris’ skull when they moved his body.
Point #: Wasn't Harris' DNA found on the trigger are of the TEC?
Acknowledge Eric’s DNA found in the trigger area of the TEC.
We know he broke his nose, so there’s nothing strange about the possibility of his blood being found on the TEC.
We also see Eric shooting the TEC at Rampart Range, and he shot a pistol left-handed. We tend to assume they never interchanged weapons, but maybe they did. Or, Dylan touched something that had the transfer from Eric’s blood. The tendency is to assume this means Eric pulled the trigger, but the evidence doesn’t support Eric dying second.