Writings from the Columbine Killers

Columbine represents the abyss in our collective memories -- what happens when the unspeakable occurs in unsuspecting families and communities. Today, the Jefferson County Sheriff's office released more than 930 pages of documents that further illustrate what happened at Columbine High School in 1999, when two students massacred 12 other students and a teacher before killing themselves.

The documents include journal entries written by the perpetrators and their parents, their school papers and calendar notations. NPR reporter Jeff Brady has read through much of the material. He says it is sometimes difficult to tell who wrote what, but he says he believes that this line came from the journal of gunman Eric Harris:

"I am full of hate and I love it. I hate people and they better f------ fear me if they know what's good for them."

Jeff says the writings depict Harris as an emotional person whose "thought processes are really deep but really disturbing at the same time."

The documents are posted here (PDF format).