Ex-Columbine student faces charge he helped broker sale of handgun

By Dan Luzadder
and Kevin Vaughan Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writers

JEFFERSON COUNTY -- A co-worker of Columbine High killers Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold turned himself in Thursday to face charges he helped broker the sale of a handgun used in the shooting.

Former Columbine student Philip J. Duran, 22, also faces a separate charge that accuses him of firing a sawed-off shotgun that later was used in the April 20 assault on the school that ended with 15 deaths and more than 20 injuries.

The more serious charge accuses him of helping arrange the sale of a TEC-DC9 semiautomatic pistol to Harris and Klebold.

"His actions assisted -- in some way -- Harris and Klebold getting the weapon," said sheriff's Deputy Steve Davis.

Authorities had been preparing the charges for some time, Davis said, but could not arrest Duran because he was out of town.

He turned himself in about 3:45 p.m.

He was booked into the county jail, posted a $15,000 bond and negotiated a phalanx of reporters and photographers as he headed to a car with his father, Rueben Duran. Neither answered any questions.

Duran's attorney, Matt DePetro, did not return phone calls.

Philip Duran is the second person charged in the sale of the TEC-DC9. Earlier, Mark Manes, 22, was charged in the sale. Manes, a friend of Duran's and also a former Columbine student, actually sold the handgun to Harris and Klebold in January, according to court documents.

That semiautomatic handgun, along with two sawed-off shotguns and a 9mm carbine rifle, were used in the attack.

An affidavit filed by sheriff's investigator Kate Battan shed new light on the purchase of the handgun, which could hold ammunition clips of more than 30 rounds.

Manes admitted that he bought the gun at an Aug. 2, 1998, Tanner Gun Show, according to the affidavit. Later, Duran -- who worked with Harris and Klebold at a pizza parlor -- said he knew "two guys" who wanted to buy a TEC-DC9.

At a Jan. 23 Tanner show, Duran introduced Manes to Harris and Klebold.

Manes said he'd be willing to sell the gun for $500, the affidavit said. Later that night, Klebold called Manes and made the deal, according to the affidavit.

The document also said that Klebold made a $300 down payment, and later gave $125 to Duran to pass along to Manes.

On March 6, according to the affidavit, Harris and Klebold, practiced at a shooting range in Douglas County. They used the two sawed-off shotguns and the TEC-DC9. Manes told authorities he, his girlfriend and Duran all were there, the affidavit said.

They videotaped themselves firing the weapons, and Harris later showed the tape to other Columbine students, a friend told investigators. The affidavit said the tape showed all five firing the shotguns.

Duran was formally charged with "unlawfully providing or permitting a juvenile to posses a handgun," and possession of a "dangerous" weapon.

It is illegal to use a shotgun with a barrel shorter than 18 inches.

Klebold's prom date, Robyn Anderson, 18, bought the shotguns and the carbine rifle at another gun show.

Duran admitted his role in the sale of the TEC-DC9, according to the affidavit.

According to the Colorado Bureau of Investigation, Duran has no prior arrests.

His driving record shows he has been ticketed four times since 1994 on violations such as speeding, operating an unsafe vehicle and failure to stop.

A woman who answered the door at the family's home on West Alder Avenue refused to answer questions about Duran.

A truck in the driveway had a We Are Columbine sticker, the saying that's come to symbolize the community's unity in the wake of the killings.

A neighbor said two of Duran's siblings were Columbine students at the time of the attack. Julia Duran graduated this year. Simon Duran is a 10th grader.

Neighbor Kevin Schoenecker, 46, said he spoke with Rueben Duran several weeks ago when Philip Duran's name first surfaced in connection with the guns.

"He does his best to control his kids," said Schoenecker, 46. "When both parents are gone, the kids get kind of wild."

Duran no longer works at the Blackjack Pizza shop where Harris and Klebold also were employed.

New owner Christopher Lau said he barely knew Duran. Lau bought the West Ottawa Place store March 8. Harris, Klebold and Duran already worked there.

Duran worked as a delivery driver until March 26, then quit for another job, Lau said.

For that time, Lau said, "he was a fine employee -- no disciplinary problems whatsoever."

Additional reporting by Carla Crowder and Burt Hubbard.