Just saw a short interview on TV. The person being interviewed was Deputy Neil Gardner of the Jefferson County Sheriff’s Office. As near as I could tell Deputy Gardner is regularly assigned to Columbine. He referred to it as, “…my high school”. That day, he was in a park next to the school when he received notification of the shooting via radio from the school janitor. He immediately responded in his patrol vehicle, a Chevy Blazer. As soon as he exited his Blazer, Eric Harris opened fire on him. According to Gardner, he was fired upon with 10-15 rounds from what appeared to him to be a very large assault weapon. Gardner took cover behind his vehicle then returned fire with “four or five shots” all of which missed.
Another Deputy, Paul Smoker, was doing traffic a short distance away and apparently arrived shortly after Gardner returned fire. Smoker also stated the suspect had a “large” firearm. Smoker’s actions were not mentioned and I don’t know if he fired or not.
During the course of the interview Deputy Gardner did mention that he has played the scenario over and over in his head wondering what he could have done differently. He also mentioned that he felt if he had taken the shooter out during the initial exchange of fire, lives might have been saved. I can’t imagine a more sickening feeling than having a clear shot and missing.
Anyway, thought you guys might like knowing that the rumors about armed security in the building, gun fire exchanged in the halls, etc. appear to be false.
Motorep:
I am in no way criticizing the deputies for missing. I support their efforts 110%. I couldn’t have done any better. I am just saying that to miss, then play the scenario over and over in your head must be very frustrating. I wish all of the folks who responded to the disaster at Columbine the very best.
[This message has been edited by Ankeny (edited April 26, 1999).]
Another Deputy, Paul Smoker, was doing traffic a short distance away and apparently arrived shortly after Gardner returned fire. Smoker also stated the suspect had a “large” firearm. Smoker’s actions were not mentioned and I don’t know if he fired or not.
During the course of the interview Deputy Gardner did mention that he has played the scenario over and over in his head wondering what he could have done differently. He also mentioned that he felt if he had taken the shooter out during the initial exchange of fire, lives might have been saved. I can’t imagine a more sickening feeling than having a clear shot and missing.
Anyway, thought you guys might like knowing that the rumors about armed security in the building, gun fire exchanged in the halls, etc. appear to be false.
Motorep:
I am in no way criticizing the deputies for missing. I support their efforts 110%. I couldn’t have done any better. I am just saying that to miss, then play the scenario over and over in your head must be very frustrating. I wish all of the folks who responded to the disaster at Columbine the very best.
[This message has been edited by Ankeny (edited April 26, 1999).]