When news broke, he rushed home to check on Dylan

By Lynn Bartels
Denver Rocky Mountain News Staff Writer

When news of the Columbine shootings broke, Byron Klebold raced home from work to see if his brother and friends had escaped the gunmen.

"I've got to see if everybody's OK," Klebold, a 1997 graduate of Columbine, told co-workers at Ralph Schomp Automotive.

Other employees who also had ties to Columbine left to check on family and friends as well, personnel director Jim Biner said.

Those workers have since returned to their jobs at the Littleton car dealership.

Byron Klebold, 20, is still grieving.

The gunmen attacking Columbine turned out to be Byron Klebold's brother, Dylan, 17, and Dylan Klebold's best friend, Eric Harris, 18.

"It's really been shocking for everyone. We're a family here and we look out for each other. Our hearts go out to Byron," Biner said. "This kid's great."

Byron Klebold has worked at the Littleton car dealership since last August. He was a "lot technician," meaning he washed and moved cars, shoveled snow and did similar duties.

"It was an entry-level job, but man, he's good," Biner said.

He said he did not know the family, including parents Tom and Sue Klebold, who live in Deer Creek Canyon in Jefferson County.

Friends have described the Klebolds as down-to-earth, concerned and caring parents who had no idea their son Dylan had a dark side.

The family celebrated Tom Klebold's 52nd birthday only five days before the shootings.