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School shooting expert from FBI on schedule
By Jeff KassDenver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer
The FBI agent who authored a study of school shootings will testify Friday at the Columbine Review Commission. Special agent Mary Ellen O'Toole will be one of four people testifying on topics that include school shootings, other forms of school violence and bullying, which has become a prominent issue for the governor's commission. O'Toole works for the FBI's National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, which profiles those involved in serial rape, murder and arson, said agency spokeswoman Jule Miller. The center is also involved in threat assessment. O'Toole will be joined by Denver FBI agent Dwayne Fuselier, whose son attended Columbine and who has worked on the shooting investigation. Lakewood police psycholgist John Nicoletti, who studies workplace and school violence, also will testify. Nicoletti said students involved in school shootings usually partake in "practice sessions" involving violent behavior to see what they can get away with and to sharpen their skills and courage. Recognizing practice sessions or warning signs can help head off major incidents, he said. The fourth speaker will be Del Elliott, director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado. In August, Columbine High School Principal Frank DeAngelis testified that he was unaware of widespread bullying at the school. But earlier this month, a former school employee and the families of some victims testified that bullying was occurring. Students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and a teacher on April 19, 1999 before shooting themselves. Also Friday, the commission will hold a closed session to meet with its legal counsel. Also, Bill Kowalski, an attorney for the Jefferson County School District, said about a half dozen Columbine staff are interested in testifying. The commission meeting is at 10 a.m. at the Jefferson County Courts and Administration Building, 100 Jefferson County Pkwy., in Golden. Contact Jeff Kass at (303) 892-2751 or kassj@RockyMountainNews.com. October 26, 2000
The FBI agent who authored a study of school shootings will testify Friday at the Columbine Review Commission.
Special agent Mary Ellen O'Toole will be one of four people testifying on topics that include school shootings, other forms of school violence and bullying, which has become a prominent issue for the governor's commission.
O'Toole works for the FBI's National Center for the Analysis of Violent Crime, which profiles those involved in serial rape, murder and arson, said agency spokeswoman Jule Miller. The center is also involved in threat assessment.
O'Toole will be joined by Denver FBI agent Dwayne Fuselier, whose son attended Columbine and who has worked on the shooting investigation.
Lakewood police psycholgist John Nicoletti, who studies workplace and school violence, also will testify.
Nicoletti said students involved in school shootings usually partake in "practice sessions" involving violent behavior to see what they can get away with and to sharpen their skills and courage. Recognizing practice sessions or warning signs can help head off major incidents, he said.
The fourth speaker will be Del Elliott, director of the Center for the Study and Prevention of Violence at the University of Colorado.
In August, Columbine High School Principal Frank DeAngelis testified that he was unaware of widespread bullying at the school. But earlier this month, a former school employee and the families of some victims testified that bullying was occurring.
Students Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold killed 12 students and a teacher on April 19, 1999 before shooting themselves.
Also Friday, the commission will hold a closed session to meet with its legal counsel.
Also, Bill Kowalski, an attorney for the Jefferson County School District, said about a half dozen Columbine staff are interested in testifying.
The commission meeting is at 10 a.m. at the Jefferson County Courts and Administration Building, 100 Jefferson County Pkwy., in Golden.
Contact Jeff Kass at (303) 892-2751 or kassj@RockyMountainNews.com.
October 26, 2000
