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'I'm afraid that he might be involved,' Eric Harris' dad says
By Jeff KassDenver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
Callers to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office during the Columbine shooting included reporters from Japan, online tipsters from Puerto Rico and law enforcement officers from across the country. Callers also included the fathers of the two shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. "This is Wayne Harris, my son is Eric Harris, and I'm afraid that he might be involved in the shooting at Columbine High School," the call begins. "Involved how?" the dispatcher asks. "He's a member of what they're calling the Trenchcoat Mafia," Harris says. An attorney for the Harris family did not return phone calls seeking comment. But the 911 call, apparently coming not long into the rampage, indicates an early concern by the elder Harris. As the conversation continues, the dispatcher says, "Have you spoke with your son today, Mr. Harris?" "No, I haven't. ... Have they picked up anybody yet?" he says. "They're still looking for suspects," the dispatcher says. She adds: "Your son is with who; what gang?" Harris replies, "They're calling them the Trenchcoat Mafia. ... I just heard that term on television." A woman representing the Harrises, Jennifer Gedde, calls in later on the tapes. Gedde is unsure with whom she needs to speak, and leaves her name and number. Contacted last week, Gedde said she was working for the investigative firm of H. Ellis Armistead and Associates in Denver, which had been hired by the Harrises' attorney, Benjamin Colkitt. Gedde declined to discuss her work that day. Later in the tapes, a call comes in from an attorney. It appears to be Gary Lozow, who represents the Klebolds. "I represent the family of the young man who is one of the suspects in the shooting who is passed away. The family ... has been asked to leave the home, which they have done. And I'm anxious to try and get in touch with the person in the sheriff's office who is running that part of the investigation." A short time later on the tapes, Tom Klebold calls in. The issue is not serious, but the way he is treated is telling. "This is Tom Klebold," he says. "They just kicked us out of our house a little while ago. And my wife left her suitcase there." The dispatcher checks in with another official and is dismissive of Klebold in a call with another officer. "His wife left a suitcase at his house, and since he (the officer) forced him out of the house, he wants the suitcase NOW," the dispatcher says. "OK, well, he can't have it," the official replies. "I just figured I'll have you call him back," the dispatcher says. "He's not a very friendly guy." Klebold, however, sounded calm and levelheaded throughout the call. August 7, 2000
Callers to the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office during the Columbine shooting included reporters from Japan, online tipsters from Puerto Rico and law enforcement officers from across the country.
Callers also included the fathers of the two shooters, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold.
"This is Wayne Harris, my son is Eric Harris, and I'm afraid that he might be involved in the shooting at Columbine High School," the call begins.
"Involved how?" the dispatcher asks.
"He's a member of what they're calling the Trenchcoat Mafia," Harris says.
An attorney for the Harris family did not return phone calls seeking comment. But the 911 call, apparently coming not long into the rampage, indicates an early concern by the elder Harris.
As the conversation continues, the dispatcher says, "Have you spoke with your son today, Mr. Harris?"
"No, I haven't. ... Have they picked up anybody yet?" he says.
"They're still looking for suspects," the dispatcher says. She adds: "Your son is with who; what gang?"
Harris replies, "They're calling them the Trenchcoat Mafia. ... I just heard that term on television."
A woman representing the Harrises, Jennifer Gedde, calls in later on the tapes. Gedde is unsure with whom she needs to speak, and leaves her name and number.
Contacted last week, Gedde said she was working for the investigative firm of H. Ellis Armistead and Associates in Denver, which had been hired by the Harrises' attorney, Benjamin Colkitt. Gedde declined to discuss her work that day.
Later in the tapes, a call comes in from an attorney. It appears to be Gary Lozow, who represents the Klebolds.
"I represent the family of the young man who is one of the suspects in the shooting who is passed away. The family ... has been asked to leave the home, which they have done. And I'm anxious to try and get in touch with the person in the sheriff's office who is running that part of the investigation."
A short time later on the tapes, Tom Klebold calls in. The issue is not serious, but the way he is treated is telling.
"This is Tom Klebold," he says. "They just kicked us out of our house a little while ago. And my wife left her suitcase there."
The dispatcher checks in with another official and is dismissive of Klebold in a call with another officer.
"His wife left a suitcase at his house, and since he (the officer) forced him out of the house, he wants the suitcase NOW," the dispatcher says.
"OK, well, he can't have it," the official replies.
"I just figured I'll have you call him back," the dispatcher says. "He's not a very friendly guy."
Klebold, however, sounded calm and levelheaded throughout the call.
August 7, 2000
