The Columbine High School Attacker

Eric Harris | Biography

• By Stone Palmer
• Original : April 29, 2025

---

Who is Eric Harris?

Eric Harris was born on April 9, 1981, in Wichita, Kansas, to an Air Force pilot and his wife. Growing up, Harris moved frequently due to his father's military career, which gave him a somewhat transient childhood. After settling in Littleton, Colorado, in 1993, he struggled to integrate into his new environment. While he initially appeared as an average child engaged in activities like Little League baseball and soccer, his demeanor began to shift dramatically during his high school years at Columbine High School. He formed a close bond with fellow student Dylan Klebold, both of whom felt alienated and disenchanted with their peers, fostering a deep-seated resentment that would later manifest destructively.

Harris exhibited increasingly aggressive behavior throughout his teenage years, engaging in acts of vandalism and making threatening remarks online. By the end of his high school career, he adopted the style of the "Trench Coat Mafia," wearing long coats and dark clothing. His fascination with violence and extreme ideologies became more pronounced, ultimately leading to plans for a catastrophic attack on Columbine High School, which he and Klebold referred to as "Judgment Day." Their meticulously planned shooting spree on April 20, 1999, resulted in the deaths of 13 individuals and wounded over 20 others, marking one of the deadliest school shootings in American history.

Early Life and Education

Eric Harris was born on April 9, 1981, in Wichita, Kansas. As the son of an Air Force pilot, his family frequently relocated due to his father's military career. Settling in various places throughout his childhood, Harris seemed to lead a typical life filled with sports and childhood activities, particularly taking part in little league baseball while living in Plattsburgh, New York. However, when his family moved to Littleton, Colorado, in 1993 following his father's retirement, significant changes began to take shape in his personality and social interactions at school.

Initially, Harris appeared as a standard young boy with interests in soccer and a penchant for preppy clothing. However, as time progressed, he found it increasingly challenging to integrate into the social fabric of his new environment. Befriending Dylan Klebold, another student who struggled to fit in, Harris slowly aligned with a more rebellious group known as the Trench Coat Mafia. His personal transformation was marked by a shift towards darker clothing and an embrace of more aggressive behavior. The previously amiable child morphed into a socially isolated teenager harboring feelings of anger and resentment, which later played a crucial role in his actions during the tragic Columbine High School shooting.

History of Aggressive Behavior

Eric Harris exhibited signs of aggressive behavior during his teenage years, particularly during his time at Columbine High School. He developed a close friendship with Dylan Klebold, another student who felt like an outsider. While Harris was known for his talkative and sometimes volatile demeanor, Klebold was more reserved and introspective. Together, they bonded over a shared disdain for the school environment and its prevailing jock culture, which they believed had marginalized them. This mutual resentment and their fascination with violent video games led them down a dark path filled with anger and hostility.

As Harris navigated the high school social landscape, he transformed from a seemingly typical student into a figure that embraced the identity of the school’s outsider clique, the Trench Coat Mafia. This shift included adopting a darker style of dress and becoming increasingly isolated. He often faced ridicule due to his appearance and behavior. Harris's expressions of rage became more pronounced, showcasing troubling signs such as vandalism directed towards a friend and violent threats posted on his website. His fascination with Adolf Hitler and the Nazis further fueled his aggressive tendencies, marking a dangerous evolution in his psychological landscape.

Attack on Columbine High

Eric Harris, alongside his friend Dylan Klebold, carried out one of the deadliest school shootings in U.S. history at Columbine High School on April 20, 1999. The attack resulted in the deaths of 12 students and a teacher, with over 20 others suffering injuries. Their meticulously planned assault, which they had dubbed "Judgment Day," was driven by a deep-seated anger toward the school and its culture, a sentiment they shared as social outcasts. Harris and Klebold's actions shocked the nation, raising profound questions about gun violence, bullying, and mental health in schools.

The attack was preceded by a year of planning, during which the pair developed the skills to create bombs and acquire firearms. Despite being involved in a diversion program after a previous criminal incident, Harris was seen as a bright student. Yet, his schoolwork often reflected violent themes, and he took to his online platform to express his rage against those he felt wronged him. The killings were meticulously timed and executed, with the intent of terrorizing not just the students at the school, but also the larger community, aiming for notoriety as part of their twisted revenge fantasy.

Aftermath and Impact

The Columbine High School shooting on April 20, 1999, had an immediate and profound impact on American society. In its wake, questions arose regarding school safety, mental health resources, and warning signs of violent behavior among students. Schools nationwide implemented new security measures, including surveillance systems, controlled access points, and emergency response protocols, striving to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again. The event also sparked discussions about the role of media, violence in video games, and the influence of extremist ideologies, as Harris and Klebold's fascination with Nazis and Hitler was highlighted in subsequent analyses.

Moreover, the legacy of Harris and Klebold has continued to influence at-risk youth, with their actions often cited by future school shooters as a motive or inspiration. This grim trend led to increasing efforts to improve communication and mental health support in educational institutions. The phrase "Columbine effect" emerged, referring to the phenomenon of school shootings mimicking the events at Columbine High School. The tragedy has spurred ongoing research into school violence prevention, urging parents, educators, and communities to be vigilant about signs of distress and aggression in young people while fostering an environment that promotes inclusiveness and mental well-being.

Personal Life: No known wife or partner

Eric Harris, born on April 9, 1981, had no known relationships or partners that were documented throughout his life. The son of an Air Force pilot, Harris moved frequently during his childhood, which may have contributed to feelings of isolation and social disconnection. After relocating to Littleton, Colorado, in 1993, he struggled to fit in at school, despite being a decent athlete and having once displayed a friendly demeanor. His friendships were largely limited to a small group, most notably his close bond with Dylan Klebold, an equally isolated classmate who would later become his accomplice in the tragic events at Columbine High School.

As a teenager, Eric developed a passionate interest in computers and violent video games, often channeling his frustrations through these platforms. While he was depicted as a bright student with a potential for success, his personal life was marred by aggressive behaviors and an affinity for dark themes. Ultimately, his deepening rage and feelings of victimization culminated in the horrific actions of April 20, 1999, overshadowing any semblance of typical teenage life or relationships. Harris's life trajectory is a stark reminder of the complexities surrounding mental health and the societal factors that can lead to tragic outcomes.

Net Worth and Earning: Unknown

Eric Harris was a notable figure due to the tragic event that unfolded on April 20, 1999, when he and his friend Dylan Klebold carried out a shooting at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado. Born on April 9, 1981, in Wichita, Kansas, Eric was the son of an Air Force pilot, and his family moved frequently due to his father's military career. After relocating to Littleton in 1993, Harris experienced a shift in his social standing and began to struggle with feelings of alienation. By the time he entered high school at Columbine, he had developed a close bond with Klebold, bonding over their shared disdain for their peers and the school, ultimately culminating in their deadly actions that shocked the nation.

Harris was described as a bright student with a keen interest in computers and online gaming, often gravitating towards violent video games which may have shaped his worldview. However, beneath the surface, he harbored intense feelings of rage and resentment, which he expressed through violent writings and aggressive behavior. His connection with Klebold, the duo's fascination with Nazi ideology, and their troubling online activities contributed to a growing narrative that suggested premeditation in their attack. Despite participating in counseling after a juvenile arrest for theft, Harris's psychological struggles intensified, leading to dangerous consequences during what they termed "Judgment Day."

Ultimately, Eric Harris serves as a chilling reminder of the complexities surrounding youth violence, mental health issues, and societal pressures that may lead individuals to commit such tragic acts. The Columbine massacre, resulting in the deaths of 13 and injuries to over 20 individuals, initiated rigorous investigations into both the motives behind the shooting and the response of law enforcement, prompting discussions about preventive measures in schools across the country.