If the police had intervened

I wonder if any of the victims could've been saved, especially since apparently they were outside the emergency exit of the library listening to the kids die. Dave Sanders would've lived of course but I'm pretty sure the others died instantly. Maybe that's why they weren't held responsible

Eric and Dylan woulda just panicked and shot themselves soon as they entered. They killed themselves pretty early on into the massacre, possibly because they heard or saw more forces arriving outside.

I think there's so many factors and what-ifs, it's so difficult to really speculate. Certainly, those in the library who were fatally injured would have died, even if an entire Level 4 Trauma Team had been present. Those injured in the library who lived were very lucky.

I think it's important to remember in 1999, a school shooting of this caliber had never happened and no police anywhere were equipped to deal with it efficiently. Certainly the way Columbine was handled was completely lacking. The passage of years, numerous studies, very great minds and practice drills have (hopefully) better prepared police to respond to these tragedies.

As an example, when Virginia Tech happened, police responded to Norris Hall within 3 minutes...and yet, they were STILL criticized.

there is a discussion link related to some of the law enforcement methods during that infamous day .

here - [You must be registered and logged in to see this link.]

spidEr wrote:

Eric and Dylan woulda just panicked and shot themselves soon as they entered. They killed themselves pretty early on into the massacre, possibly because they heard or saw more forces arriving outside.

Most massacres don't go for an hour, so they actually killed themselves pretty late into it. Stephen Kazmierczak for example killed as many people as Dylan, but did so in less than 10 minutes/killed himself before the police even arrived.

Tomb wrote:

I think there's so many factors and what-ifs, it's so difficult to really speculate. Certainly, those in the library who were fatally injured would have died, even if an entire Level 4 Trauma Team had been present. Those injured in the library who lived were very lucky.

I think it's important to remember in 1999, a school shooting of this caliber had never happened and no police anywhere were equipped to deal with it efficiently. Certainly the way Columbine was handled was completely lacking. The passage of years, numerous studies, very great minds and practice drills have (hopefully) better prepared police to respond to these tragedies.

As an example, when Virginia Tech happened, police responded to Norris Hall within 3 minutes...and yet, they were STILL criticized.

Because they forgot bolt cutters, but how were they to know he'd chain the doors?

Virginia Tech was still incredibly fast, they heard the suicide shot. The reason so many died was because most were head wounds causing instant death

Totally agree about Virginia Tech. Plus, Cho methodically revisited each classroom and continued shooting if he thought anyone was still alive.