Shoot Team Interviews.

On April 20, 1999, interviews were conducted with deputies Neil Gardner, Paul Smoker, and George Gray regarding their involvement in the shooting as law enforcement officers.

1. Neil Gardner

2. Paul Smoker

3. George Gray

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Columbine Shoot Team Interviews

1. Neil Gardner

Neil Gardner was Columbine's School Resource Officer (SRO) and girls' softball coach. He was one of several officers who fired their weapons during the incident. Gardner engaged in a shootout with one of the suspects at the West doors while taking cover behind a white Bronco in the school's parking lot and claims that was the extent of his engagement. However, library ballistics evidence points to Gardner also chasing the suspects into the school

Neil Gardner Controversies

Why was he in the library?

Gardner claimed he never entered the school and never fired into the library. However, according to the ballistics evidence, Gardner fired a few times into the library and cleared his .45 Sig Sauer P220 pistol in the library - the live bullet was found on the floor and was traced to his weapon. It appears he was told to lie. When interviewed about the missing live round from one of his magazines, Gardner claimed he didn't know where it went.

Gardner knew both suspects

Gardner also initially claimed he had no idea who Harris or Klebold were and was never told Harris was making bombs. It was later revealed that police specifically told Gardner that Harris was detonating pipe bombs in the area and he knew who they both were.

Who did Gardner have a shootout with?

According to the official story, Gardner had a shootout with Eric Harris at the West doors. However, Gardner described the suspect as taller than Harris, wearing a dark colored hat, a white t-shirt, and a blue flak jacket.

Neil Gardner's audio interview:

Read Neil Gardner's interview transcript online

NEIL GARDNER TRANSCRIPT
pp.11158-11251 JCSO Page Number(s)
Gardner, Neil 11158, 11159, 11160, 11161, 11162, 11163, 11164, 11165, 11166, 11167, 11168, 11169, 11170, 11171, 11172, 11173, 11174, 11175, 11176, 11177, 11178, 11179, 11180, 11181, 11182, 11183, 11184, 11185, 11186, 11187, 11188, 11189, 11190, 11191, 11192, 11193, 11194, 11195, 11196, 11197, 11198, 11199, 11200, 11201, 11202, 11203, 11204, 11205, 11206, 11207, 11208, 11209, 11210, 11211, 11212, 11213, 11214, 11215, 11216, 11217, 11218, 11219, 11220, 11221, 11222, 11223, 11224, 11225, 11226, 11227, 11228, 11229, 11230, 11231, 11232, 11233, 11234, 11235, 11236, 11237, 11238, 11239, 11240, 11241, 11242, 11243, 11244, 11245, 11246, 11247, 11248, 11249, 11250, 11251


3. Paul Smoker

Paul Smoker's audio interview:

2. George Gray

George Gray's audio interview: