It wasn’t long after Frank DeAngelis heard the news of the Aurora theater shooting early Friday morning that — sadly and predictably — his phone began to ring.
The principal at Columbine High School, site of what was the deadliest school shooting in U.S. history in 1999, has been a sought-after source for commentary whenever similar violence has flared. On Friday, he fielded calls from around the world.
And while there are many differences in the circumstances between this tragedy and the rampage that killed 12 students and a teacher at Columbine, DeAngelis noted parallels in the two incidents that could raise familiar reactions in the community.
Both attacks appear to have been the result of careful planning and stockpiling of weapons, and produced similar death tolls. Both unfolded in places where many young people were likely to be victims — in places that are so much a part of everyday life that, until something horrible happens, people give little thought to safety.
“As a society, we were all violated by what happened last night just as we were in Columbine ,” DeAngelis said — and just as society at large was violated after other shootings and even the 9/11 attacks. “Everybody questioned, geez, is it safe to get on an airplane? I’m sure now, many of these theaters are going to question, what do we do? Do we continue with these midnight screenings or premieres?”
And as with Columbine, a variety of issues will emerge and prompt debate.
“I think there’ll be a reaction on what to do,” DeAngelis said. “Listening to some of the talk shows already, they’re talking about concealed weapons, should people take the law into their own hands. Anytime a shooting occurs, whether it be at a school or church or a movie theater, these questions come to the surface. What it does, I think, is make members of society realize how vulnerable we are — and how precious life is.
“Hopefully, we come together.”
On a personal level, DeAngelis noted another heart-wrenching similarity between the two mass shootings.
Gateway High School in Aurora became the gathering area and clearinghouse for information on victims and survivors from the theater shootings. During the Columbine attack, Leawood Elementary in Jefferson County served such a role as surviving students were bused to the school.
“That’s one of the lasting memories I have on that evening, when there were no longer buses bringing kids to reunite with parents,” he said. “There were several parents left, but no buses arriving. They realized there was a chance their child did not survive.
“I’m sure the people at Gateway were waiting to get notification that their child or loved one was safe. I can’t imagine as a parent or loved one what that would be like.”
The manner of the attacks — the apparent preparation — prompts speculation about motivation behind them. The Aurora tragedy has one thing Columbine never had — a living suspect.
“The major difference is while at Columbine the two murderers took their own lives, this one is still alive,” DeAngelis said. Hopefully, answers will be provided as far as what provoked him to commit such a horrific act.”
Kevin Simpson: 303-954-1739, ksimpson@denverpost.com or twitter.com/ksimpsondp