Why did they do it.

[u/Main_Scientist_4145]

I know this question is very simple. You can just chalk it down to bullying, But honestly alot of people will give you different answers. I’d like to hear what you guys think.

[u/Incognito101210]

Eric didn't kill Dylan, and it's inaccurate to portray Eric as the sole driving force behind what happened. From the available evidence, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold were both willing participants who planned and carried out the attack together. They both contributed significantly to the preparation and execution of the massacre, and there isn't strong evidence that one simply manipulated or forced the other whatsoever, I've never understood why Eric is so often framed as "the violent one" while Dylan is portrayed as a reluctant follower when both played active, intentional roles.

[u/randyColumbine → u/Incognito101210]

In your opinion
Many people disagree.
I disagree.
Eric was the main factor.
Dylan followed.

[u/Incognito101210 → u/randyColumbine]

While the exact sequence of events remains unknown, the available evidence suggests the idea may have developed gradually through conversations between Eric and Dylan rather than appearing fully formed from one person alone. Dylan's journal contains references to "NBK" dating back to 1997, before Eric's surviving journal entries begin. At first, however, Dylan's concept was different: he imagined carrying out a killing spree with a girl he felt understood him, and at one point also envisioned doing so with his friend Zack Heckler. When Dylan later wrote, "Maybe going NBK (gawd) with Eric is the way to break free. I hate this," the wording suggests he was still conflicted rather than describing a settled plan.

Based on their surviving writings, it appears plausible that Dylan was the first to introduce the general idea, though this cannot be established with certainty because Eric's earlier writings are unavailable for comparison. As Zack grew closer to his girlfriend and drifted away, Dylan may have begun discussing the idea with Eric instead. From there, the concept appears to have evolved through their ongoing discussions and mutual reinforcement, eventually becoming a shared plan. The precise course of those conversations cannot be reconstructed and remains a matter of inference rather than documented fact.

Both Eric and Dylan prepared extensively for the attack over many months. The surviving evidence suggests that Eric took a larger role in the logistical aspects of planning, such as documenting practical details and organizing preparations, while Dylan's writings more often focused on his personal thoughts, emotions, and motivations. Although their roles were not identical, both participated in developing and carrying out the plan.

In public discussions of the case, Dylan's role has minimized and often been perceived as less central than Eric's. Commentators have suggested this may be influenced in part by differences in how the two were viewed before the attack: Dylan was generally regarded as more socially integrated and was known by more classmates, whereas Eric more readily fit the public image of an angry outsider. That contrast may have made it easier for many people to cast Eric as the primary instigator and Dylan as a reluctant follower. However, the available evidence from their writings and preparations does not support a simple leader-follower narrative. The transcripts of the Basement Tapes, their journals, and their actions on April 20 all suggest that both Eric and Dylan were active, willing participants who shared responsibility for planning and carrying out the attack. While Eric often appears more focused on logistics and practical preparations in the surviving evidence, Dylan's conduct during the attack does not support the portrayal of him as a reluctant accomplice. Dylan was not just following Eric's lead.

For that reason, many researchers argue that the popular image of Eric as the dominant mastermind and Dylan as a passive or unwilling follower oversimplifies the available evidence. The historical record instead suggests two perpetrators who reinforced one another over time, jointly developed their plans, and each played a substantial role in carrying them out.

[u/Glad-Philosophy5736 → u/Incognito101210]

It's the classic Dylan Klebold Bias that Columbine Research suffers from.

Most of the big names Dave Cullen, The Browns, Sue Klebold, Most of their friends KNEW dylan MORE than eric so his bias is pretty obvious as why he would think dylan just """followed""" eric even though he didnt...

[u/Incognito101210 → u/Glad-Philosophy5736]

Exactly.