Columbine Killer’s Parents Offer Apology

The parents of Dylan Klebold, one of the teen-age gunmen responsible for the shooting rampage at Columbine High School, apologized Friday to victims of last year’s massacre.

“There are no words to convey how sorry we are for the pain that has been brought upon the community as a result of our son’s actions,” Thomas and Susan Klebold said in a statement. “The pain of others compounds our own as we struggle to live without the son we cherished.”

Dylan Klebold and classmate Eric Harris killed 12 students and a teacher, and wounded dozens more at the school April 20 before committing suicide.

Both gunmen’s families had apologized after the shootings.

Connie Michalik, whose son, Richard Castaldo, remains paralyzed from wounds suffered in the attack, said she was touched by Friday’s statement.

“As a parent, it makes me really sorry for what they’ve gone through. I don’t think they had a clue what their son was doing,” she said. “It doesn’t mean I’m not angry at their son. But it’s a nice gesture. My heart goes out to them.”

Pat Ireland, whose dramatic rescue from a library window of the school was televised, has mixed feelings about the upcoming anniversary.

“It’s going to be a tough time. But I’m going to hit it straight on and get through it,” he said. “On that day, the support of my friends and family will make the difference.”