Eric visits the Texaco to buy propane on April 20
I have been seriously remiss in my posts latelyâŚ
Anyway, next on our Tour of Littleton/Columbine isâŚthe gas station/convenience store at 6798 W. Ottawa where Eric bought a propane tank for $49.99 at 9:12 AM on the 20th of April, 1999, less than 180 minutes before he blew his own brains out.
At the time, it was a Texaco (see receipt) but now itâs a Circle K/Shell station.
Receipt from JC-001-025955:
Eric caught on the storeâs surveillance camera (note that the time is off):
Interview with the clerk, Tammy McGinnis (JC-001-0013346-0013347):
Ms. McGinnis stated that on the morning of April 20, 1999, she was on duty at the Texaco Gas Station, 6796 West Ottawa, Littleton, Colorado. She also stated that during this period of time, she was the only person on duty. She stated that about 9:00 am on that date, a white male about 18-20 years of age came into her gas station and asked to buy a propane tank. She further described the white male as being tall and thin, very clean cut looking, with no facial hair and wearing jeans and a tee shirt. She stated that the white male was very quiet and reserved. She also stated that he was not smiling and seemed very serious.
Ms. McGinnis stated that she asked the white male if he had a propane tank to trade in he responded, ânoâ. The white male then gave cash to Ms. McGinnis in the form of three (3) $20 bills. Ms. McGinnis stated that she then gave the white male his change and the cash receipt for the purchase of the propane tank.
Ms. McGinnis stated that she then exited her store and went to the propane tank caged area which is kept locked. She stated that she unlocked the caged area and asked the white male if he knew what type of connection he needed. The white male responded by saying, âyesâ, at which time he reached into the caged area and took a âBlue Rhino" propane tank from the top rack of the propane cage. Ms. McGinnis stated that she then locked the propane cage and went back into her store. She stated that the white male was alone and she did not see what type of vehicle he was driving.
On April 26, 1999, Ms. McGinnis stated that she released the tape recording of sales made at the Texaco Gas Station on April 20, 1999, to S/A William Petoskey, FBI. She added that she does not know how to reset the timing mechanism on the recorder therefore the recording times will be off the actual time by about one hour and twenty minutes.
Itâs right down the street from Columbine High School, and next to the shopping center where the Blackjack Pizza (where Eric and Dylan worked) used to be.
As seen from Pierce Street:
The store itself is pretty tiny:
The cage where the propane tanks are (still!) located:
There isnât a heck of a lot to seeâŚ
Ah, the joys of suburban American strip malls and convenience storesâŚ
Well, thatâs about it for nowâŚpick something up from the store to eat or drink while you walk around the parking lot and consider what happened in this very spot 15 years ago.
annaxmalina
germansingergirl
kianamaiart
izzy806
