High Scool Shooting: Website boasted of fatal attack
Internet
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.THE "TRENCHCOAT Mafia" of Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold may have used the Internet to predict and boast about when the massacre would take place.
On one website, a person identifying himself as a member of "The Mafia" declared: "Preparin' for the big april 20!! You'll all be sorry that day!" The date is that of Hitler's birthday, and the group were vocal admirers of Hitler.
Another message, from somebody using the name AzMstr17, warned about a war against the Power Boyz, believed to be a reference to "jocks", or sportsmen - and declares that "Columbine High School sucks". Harris and Klebold hated athletes, believing that they rode roughshod over people like them and were "mean" to them.
The "Mafia" were avid readers of the website for the "Shock Goth" singer Marilyn Manson, a 6ft 6in transvestite who sells himself as "the most evil man in America". Manson, who propagates racist and "satanist" views, has received several death threats.
Another alleged member of the "Mafia", calling himself "Asriel Abiss", stated on the Internet that his hobbies were "Listening to Manson, killing high school students, carrying guns and bombs around, hurting those who hurt me".
Yesterday investigators were examining the Internet for other messages that may have been posted by the killers ortheir friends. Such messages, they believe, may point towards accomplices in the massacre.
Tricia Primrose, a spokeswoman for the Internet service provider America Online (AOL), said: "We have no knowledge at the moment that those involved in the shooting actually posted any advanced warning on AOL. It's something we will continue to monitor."
AOL has contacted the FBI and preserved content posted by its members, in case it is tied to the massacre, but there was no evidence that anyone had posted warnings before the rampage. AOL acknowledged that hoaxes were common after big news events.
Last night the "Trenchcoat Mafia" website had been abruptly shut off, after a flurry of messages including threats of revenge for what had happened, attempts by allies to explain the gunmen's motives and others simply asking: "Why?"
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments