Columbine High School Shooting Case Study

Major events have crafted the United States and other nations into what they are today. Going from world wars in the 1940’s, to civil rights movements in the 1960’s, to extravagant national debt today, have all played a part in shaping our nation. Being from rural Mississippi, world news being made here is uncommon. We see all of our major news from televisions or newspapers, and this “news” is all happening elsewhere, far from here. Whether it is a good thing that we do not make the big news or not, the fear of uncertain events still lingers. From shootings in schools to bombings in cities, we are fortunate for being seemingly far from these dangers. Even though no physical effects pertain to me, mental pain and fear stays and leaves doubt

Over the past 30 years there have been a lot of events that have had an impact on the development of crisis intervention. One that really sticks out is the Columbine High School massacre. This event occurred on April 20, 1999 in Littleton Colorado. “On this very sad

The communication breakdown took place because of the breakdown in the communication infrastructure. All the above ground communication structures were destroyed. A 400 foot antenna fell in the intensity of the Hurricane Katrina winds. Communication with the Sheriff’s office and the public safety communication as destroyed. Almost 2 million phone lines were destroyed. (Information Today, 2006, p.1)

Over the past couple of decades, school shooting have seemed to occur often-- continuously shocking the nation and reminding everyone that no community is exempt from such horror. One main contributor of this hysteria is found within the media. At the catalyst of this hysteria, lies the horrific Columbine shooting in 1999. Since then, school shootings have received ample coverage-- some argue that this has romanticized school shootings, others argue that is has provided condemning coverage of the often insane perpetrators. In the first year after the Columbine shooting, over 10,000 articles were written about the event, likely setting the stage for the nationwide desire for constant coverage of such events (Elsass et al, p. 445-446).

The “Shootings at Columbine High School: The Law Enforcement Response” case, in Richard Stillman’s Public Administration: Concepts and Cases, Ninth Edition, covers the Columbine High School law enforcement response to the mass murders committed by Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Columbine High School is located in Littleton, CO, which is situated in the center of multiple jurisdictions. The case raises management communication

In the United States mass shootings has been a problem for the last few years especially school shootings which occurs often in the country. Why in this country? Well statistics shows that the United States has 31% of all public mass shootings from 1966 to 2012. Although, the percentage has gone up for the last five years. There is a higher risk of dying at school than at any public places. The government and the president of the United States are not treating this problem right and it has become a phenomenon in the country. According to the blog “I Am Adam Lanza’s Mother: A Mom’s Perspective On the Mental Illness Conversation In America” by Liza Long, she discusses her struggles with her mentally ill son and states the lack of help she was getting. She addresses the Sandy Hook incident in Newtown, Connecticut to relate it to her situation and how she fears her son might lead to murderous attack like the Sandy Hook shooting. Many of the causes that lead to school shootings are; lack of gun control, mental health & bullying, and definitely lack of protection at schools.

April 20, 1999, is a day of remembrance for many people. The Columbine massacre had an effect not only on the Littleton, Colorado community but also on the entire country. In the book Columbine by Dave Cullen, the author tells the story of the tragedy that started with Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. The book begins with an introduction into both Eric and Dylan's thoughts, actions, and reasoning behind their plan to attack their high school. Throughout the book the author points out how the media gave a different view for the motives of the attack which caused false accusations towards the killers. This book tells the truth told from survivors and evidence, but the honest truth behind the attack went to the grave with Eric and

Columbine High School Shooting: Why did Columbine occur and what can be learned from it?

It’s difficult to believe that two high school students could enter their school and begin firing on classmates, but that’s exactly what happened at Columbine. The country was riveted by the news that something so evil could happen by two of their own. Columbine High School, located in Littleton, Colorado, had an enrollment of 1,136 in April 1999. Eric Harris (seventeen) and Dylan Klebold (eighteen) entered Columbine High School on April 19, 1999, at approximately 11:19 AM and began shooting. Due to Klebold and Harris being bullied, the two boys planned an attack to shoot students and staff.

Born on November 9th, 1970, Lisa Vanderbeck grew up in a very close knit neighborhood, always doing things with her neighbors, whether they were thirty years older than her, or ten years younger. One person who she was extremely close to was a friend of her moms, Mrs. Louis, who lived five doors down from her. Lisa, her mom, and twin sister would go over to her house at least once a week for “Avon Lady Day”. They would drink coffee, and hang out with the other neighbors who attended.

The Columbine shooting on April 20, 1999 took place in Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado and was described as one of the worst mass shootings in the U.S history and the deadliest incident of school violence. The perpetrators were two students who attended Columbine High School: Eric Harris,18, and Dylan Klebold,17. Young Harris and Klebold killed 12 students, 1 teacher and wounded more than 20 others. The weapons utilized by Harris and Klebold for the attack consisted of; a Hi-Point 995 9mm carbine with thirteen 10-round magazines, a sawed-off Savage 67H 12-gauge pump shotgun, and a sawed-off Stevens 311D double-barreled shotgun they also had 99 home made explosives and 4 knives. At approximately 11:19 am, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold started the massacre by shooting individuals outside the school. Some of the first victims were Rachel Scott, 16, shot two times (murdered) and Richard Castaldo, 17 (paralyzed) who were shot outside the school while eating lunch. Most of the killings were performed at the school’s library. After, walking around the school for less than an hour, the shooting ended after 12 p.m. with Klebold and Harris committing suicide in the school’s library.

Cullen, Dave. “The Depressive and the Psychopath: The FBI’s Analysis of the Killers Motives” The Columbine Alamac (20 April 2004)

The situation could not pass any information and requests because fails to reach to the authorities and in providing help to the affected people. The coverage of mobile phones being a problem and lack of network in the parts of Central London. The lack of a digital radio network hampered the efforts of emergency service

During emergencies, the importance of our country’s communications systems becomes clear. These communications systems include the wire line and wireless telephone networks, broadcast and cable television, radio, Public Safety Land Mobile Radio, satellite systems and increasingly the Internet. For example, in an emergency, we may dial 911, call our family members to make sure they are safe, and turn on our televisions and radios to get breaking news and important updates (FCC, 2012).

If the communication was not properly channeled, it creates barriers or noise interference which hinders the communication process making the message unclear.