Killing of two Columbine students reopens old wounds

February 14, 2000
Web posted at: 8:22 p.m. EST (0122 GMT)

In this story: Grief counselors back at school No clear motive for slayings Principal visits crime scene RELATED STORIES, SITES

From staff and wire reports

LITTLETON, Colorado -- Students at Columbine High School are dealing with yet another deadly tragedy, less than a year after the worst school shooting in U.S. history.

Two students, reportedly boyfriend and girlfriend, were found dead early Valentine's Day morning inside a Subway sandwich shop within sight of the high school.

The victims were discovered by a restaurant employee who was driving by the shop, according to Jefferson County sheriff's spokesman Steve Davis.

The woman stopped, went inside and found the bodies of a 15-year-old boy who also worked there, and a 16-year-old girl, Davis said.

The victims were identified as Nicholas Kunselman and Stephanie Hart, according to Courtney Scott , an 18-year-old cousin of Hart's.

"Nicholas and Stephanie were boyfriend and girlfriend. They were dating, going out together," Scott said.

Scott placed a heart-shaped bouquet of flowers with a banner reading "I love you" outside the shop at midmorning.

Grief counselors back at school

The community "hasn't even had time from the first wounds to heal before we're pouring salt right back into that wound," said Davis. "It's as traumatic for me as I'm sure a lot of you and a lot of this community."

Grief counselors visited classes at the school Monday to help students shaken by the news of yet another act of violence close to home.

"At this point, there is absolutely no reason to believe this is related to anything that went on at Columbine a year ago," Davis said. "Other than the fact that the two are students ... it is a completely separate incident."

Davis said both victims suffered apparent gunshot wounds but could not say if the wounds were the cause of death. He did not know whether investigators had recovered a weapon.

Davis said authorities are looking to question a man seen walking away from the shop just before the bodies were discovered.

No clear motive for killings

Investigators could not offer a motive but ruled out murder-suicide. A videotape from a surveillance camera inside the restaurant was being reviewed for clues.

J.J. Hodack, a 22-year-old store employee, said Kunselman often was assigned to close the restaurant at night.

Hodack said Hart often came by the store near closing time. He said it wasn't unusual for employees to let friends or other employees in after hours.

The shop is in a small strip mall within sight of the school where two teen-age students killed 12 students and a teacher, and wounded more than two dozen others, on April 20. The killers, Eric Harris and Dylan Klebold, then committed suicide.

Principal visits crime scene

Columbine Principal Frank DeAngelis went to the sandwich shop early Monday and then went back to the school. Davis said he and DeAngelis spoke, but he would not say what they talked about.

Acquaintances of the victims, some crying, gathered near the shop, where about one-third of the parking lot was cordoned off with yellow police tape.

A spokeswoman for the Subway chain of sandwich shops released a statement: "We are saddened by the loss of these two young lives. Our thoughts and prayers are with their families, friends and co-workers and, of course, the entire community during this difficult time."

The Associated Press and Reuters contributed to this report.

Fatalities at Columbine High
April 28, 1999
Mourning continues in Littleton, as investigators scrutinize gunmen
April 27, 1999
Investigators: Gun traced to shooter's girlfriend
April 26, 1999
Columbine investigation turns to parents' role
April 25, 1999
Police release 911 tapes of school shooting
April 24, 1999
Students mourn coach who died helping others escape
April 22, 1999

Violence Policy Center
  • Fact Sheet on Littleton, Colorado School Shooting
Jefferson County Sheriff's Office
GUN-FREE SCHOOLS ACT OF 1994
CDC: Facts About Violence Among Youth and Violence in Schools

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