Columbine: Dustin Gorton's Untold Story & The Shooters' Identity
How does one reconcile friendship with unimaginable horror? Dustin Gorton's story is a chilling reminder that evil can reside in the most unexpected places, forever altering the lives of those connected to it.
Dustin Allen Gorton, a name perhaps unfamiliar to many, is inextricably linked to one of the most infamous tragedies in American history: the Columbine High School massacre. Gorton was a student at Columbine, present in the cafeteria when the horrific events of April 20, 1999, unfolded. But his connection runs deeper than mere presence; he was a friend, an acquaintance, someone who shared classes and even lighthearted moments with the perpetrators, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. The weight of that connection, the agonizing realization that the faces he knew were the faces of unimaginable violence, is a burden he has carried ever since.
| Category | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Dustin Allen Gorton |
| Date of Birth | (Information not publicly available) |
| Place of Birth | (Information not publicly available) |
| High School | Columbine High School, Littleton, Colorado |
| Connection to Columbine Massacre | Friend and acquaintance of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold |
| Last Saw Dylan Klebold | April 19, 1999, during 3rd hour (9:30 AM) |
| Activity on April 19, 1999 | Filmed "Breakfast Run" video with Dylan Klebold |
| Video Project Title | "American Dream" |
| Car Driven in Video | 1972 Chevy Chevelle |
| Other Acquaintances | Nate Dykeman, Chris Morris, Zachary Heckler |
| University | University of Wyoming College of Business |
| Location (LinkedIn) | Littleton |
| LinkedIn Connections | 100+ |
| Professional Community | View Dustin Gortons Profile on LinkedIn |
The morning of April 19th, 1999, was unremarkable. Dustin Gorton spent it working on a school project, a video titled "American Dream," with his 3rd-period video production partner, Dylan Klebold. The footage, now hauntingly preserved, shows a seemingly normal day. Gorton, behind the wheel of his 1972 Chevy Chevelle, drives with Klebold and Eric Jackson (the cameraman) to a Burger King. They order food, share some laughs, and eat in the student parking lot of Columbine High School. Unbeknownst to Gorton, this ordinary breakfast run would become a chilling prelude to unimaginable horror.
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Gorton remembers Klebold acting normally that day. They spoke, Klebold wanted to smoke, and there was nothing to suggest the darkness that lay beneath the surface. Gorton described the video shoot at Eric Jackson's residence, noting Harris and Klebold were late, but even that seemed like typical teenage tardiness. It's the banality of the interaction, the utter normalcy of the preceding day, that makes the subsequent massacre all the more incomprehensible.
The aftermath of the Columbine massacre is etched in the collective memory. The images of students fleeing the school, the sounds of sirens, and the sheer terror are unforgettable. But among the chaos and grief, one photograph stands out: a picture of Dustin Gorton outside the school on April 20th. The look on his face is not just fear, it's devastation. It's the look of someone who has had their world irrevocably shattered, who is grappling with the betrayal of friendship and the incomprehensible reality of evil. You can see the raw pain, the shock, and the dawning realization that his friends were responsible for this carnage.
Gorton knew Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold. He considered them friends. He also knew Nate Dykeman, Chris Morris, and Zachary Heckler and considered them all part of his wider circle of acquaintances. While he didn't socialize with Harris and Klebold outside of school, he did play the computer game Doom with them online. This connection, however tenuous, became a source of profound anguish and confusion. How could people he knew, people he shared common interests with, be capable of such brutality? The question continues to resonate for Gorton and for all those affected by the Columbine tragedy.
In the wake of the shooting, Gorton, like many others, struggled to make sense of the senseless. He grappled with the knowledge that he had been in close proximity to Harris and Klebold in the days leading up to the attack, unaware of their sinister plans. He had shared a meal with them, worked on a project with them, and engaged in the casual camaraderie of high school life. Now, he was forced to confront the horrifying truth: the individuals he knew were mass murderers.
The "Breakfast Run" video, intended as a simple class project, took on a disturbing new meaning after the massacre. It became a chilling testament to the deceptive normalcy that can mask unspeakable evil. The carefree teenagers grabbing burgers and fries, the casual conversation, the laughter all of it stands in stark contrast to the horror that would unfold just hours later. The video is a painful reminder that appearances can be deceiving, and that the line between ordinary and monstrous can be terrifyingly thin.
Gorton recounted seeing Dylan Klebold during 3rd hour on April 19, 1999, starting at 9:30 am, just hours before the planned attack. He stated that Klebold seemed normal, wanting to smoke, offering no hint of the impending violence. This detail underscores the difficulty in detecting and preventing such tragedies. Even those closest to the perpetrators can be blindsided by the darkness within.
Reports indicate that in the initial shock and grief following the massacre, Dustin Gorton expressed outrage and disbelief. His reaction, understandably, was one of intense emotion and a struggle to reconcile the image of his friends with the perpetrators of such a heinous act. He, along with countless others in the Columbine community, were left to grapple with the profound trauma and the lingering question of "why."
A seemingly trivial anecdote reveals the complexities of teenage relationships and the dark humor that can sometimes pervade them. Reportedly, Gorton, in a moment of youthful jest, suggested that it would be "really funny" to tell Harris and Klebold's girlfriends that they were gay. This comment, viewed in the context of the subsequent tragedy, underscores the immaturity and lack of awareness that can exist even within close friendships. It also serves as a reminder that even seemingly innocuous interactions can be reinterpreted and amplified in the shadow of horrific events.
The "Breakfast Run" video provides a glimpse into the dynamics of the group. Dylan Klebold sat in the front passenger seat, Dustin Gorton drove, and Eric Harris occupied a seat in the back. Eric Jackson filmed the entire event. This seemingly insignificant seating arrangement becomes a haunting detail in retrospect, a snapshot of the individuals who would soon become synonymous with unimaginable violence.
Following the Columbine massacre, Gorton, along with other students, sought solace and support. Mixon, a church youth worker, invited Gorton, then 18, and his friend, Charlie Simmons, 17, to participate in church activities. This reflects the community's efforts to provide comfort and guidance to those struggling to cope with the trauma.
Dustin Gorton's life was forever altered by the events of April 20, 1999. He became an unwilling participant in a tragedy that captured the world's attention. The photograph of him outside Columbine High School, the look of devastation etched on his face, serves as a powerful reminder of the human cost of violence and the enduring impact of trauma. He is forever linked to that day, not as a perpetrator, but as a victim of circumstance, a friend betrayed, and a symbol of the profound loss and grief that continue to resonate within the Columbine community.
Today, Dustin Gorton's profile on LinkedIn lists his location as Littleton and notes his attendance at the University of Wyoming College of Business. He maintains over 100 connections on the professional networking site. While he has largely remained out of the public eye, his story serves as a potent reminder of the far-reaching consequences of violence and the enduring power of human resilience in the face of unimaginable tragedy.
Dustin Gorton's experience underscores the importance of understanding the complexities of human behavior, the insidious nature of evil, and the lasting impact of trauma on individuals and communities. He is a reminder that even in the face of unimaginable horror, the human spirit can endure, and that even those touched by tragedy can find a way to move forward, carrying the weight of the past while striving for a brighter future.
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![[Image] Columbine High School student Dustin Gorton moments after being](https://i.redd.it/6iy5m2pv1op61.jpg)
[Image] Columbine High School student Dustin Gorton moments after being
💭 Columbine High School student Dustin Gorton moments after being
Dustin Gorton, Nathan Dykeman, Christopher Morris March 4, 1999 March 4
