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On 08/23/99, Detective Boatright (IO) was contacted by Detective Kate Batten of the Jefferson County Sheriff's Department. Kate Batten subsequently requested IO recontact Patti Nielson and interview her regarding a statement appearing in an August 22, 1999 Rocky Mountain News article. In brief, the statement reads, "Art teacher Patti Nielson, hiding in a cabinet, heard voices in unison count, 'one! two! three!' then she heard a loud boom."
On 08/24/99 at approximately 0845 hours 10 contacted Patti Nielson via telephone. When asked if that was an accurate account of the incident occurring on 04/20/99, Patti Nielson responded in the negative, Patti Nielson told 10 she at no time has ever spoken with either Lynn Bartelis or Carla Crowder (News staff writers responsible for the article). Patti Nielson went on to state to her knowledge she has never been interviewed by a Rocky Mountain News writer. Patti Nielson explained she did recall giving an interview to the Denver Post approximately 2 1/2 to 3 months ago but again denied making the statement which was quoted in the Rocky Mountain News article.
Patti Nielson told IO she was unclear as to who the source for that quote was but speculated someone she had possibly spoken with relayed that information to the Rocky Mountain News writers. When asked for further clarification on that point, Patti Nielson stated over the course of time she has had numerous conversations with friends, students and associates where she has speculated on how Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold died. Patti Nielson stated she could have envisioned a "scenario" where the two suspects did something like a countdown and then shot themselves simultaneously. Patti Nielson quickly pointed out what she described was pure speculation and she made no observations concerning that point.
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Patti Nielson went on to explain even though she made no specific observations concerning the point where Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold died, she said did have a "feeling." Patti Nielson explained she was again simply "speculating" but felt that Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold had shot themselves "simultaneously." Patti Nielson went on to state approximately one half hour to 45 minutes prior to being evacuated by SWAT members she did recall hearing a "boom" noise which she believed came from the southwest corner of the library. Patti Nielson reiterated she made no additional observations and was simply "speculating" that noise could have been associated with simultaneous gunshots resulting the death of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. Patti Nielson stated she had no additional information related to this investigation. IO would note during his previous interview with the forenamed on 05/2S/99 Patti Nielson did not disclose hearing a "boom" noise emanating from the southwest corner of the library occurring approximately one half hour to 45 minutes prior to being evacuated. IO would note Patti Nielson indicated she was evacuated from the
library sometime between 1500 and 1515 hours on 04/20/99.