Criminology: Columbine Massacre

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Columbine Massacre Criminology March 12, 2009 On April 20, 1999 in Littleton, Colorado two students Dylan Klebold and Eric Harris committed what is thought to be one of the worse school massacres to ever happen. To this day law enforcement officials as well as others continue looking for just cause as to why these boys would commit such acts, and in the end take their own lives. The massacre that was committed by Dylan and Eric was not only criminal, but deviant as well. Criminal acts are those violating the law, which Eric and Dylan did on numerous levels during this massacre. They had possession of illegal firearms which included a Intratec TEC-DC9, a Hi-Point 995 Carbine, Savage 67H pump action shotgun, and a Stevens 311D double…show more content…
Some things that were thought to be considering influences were the music the boys listened to. They listened to such bands as Rammstein, Marilyn Manson, KMFDM, along with others. I personally feel that someone music can yes have a reflection on what type of mood you are in at that moment; however no one who sings tells you to actually go out and kill a human being. I don’t feel that the artist’s music style or lyrics should be held liable for what another human does. Another factor was their classification by others as being “Goth” or “outcast nerds”. Being harassed by classmates as well as being put down by their teachers can lead a student to be depressed, but should never lead to a full fledged massacre. Another major factor considered to be influencing these boys were video games. The boys had been diagnosed with mental disabilities and the police, family members, and others felt their game playing contributed to their actions. They say the games became to life like for the boys to handle which lead to the homicidal thoughts and in the long run the massacre itself. I feel that no matter how depressed, involved, or drawn into a game one is that it justifies an excuse to not maintain reality. Just because you are able to unleash anger in a video game or take out pent up aggression in a video game does not make hurting or killing a person ok. If you can’t handle playing the game, then don’t play. These influences and or warning signs should have been taken far more seriously I feel then they were. If they had been chances are that this tragic event may have never
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