THE LATEST ON THE FLORIDA HIGH SCHOOL SHOOTING:
- 17 victims identified, see photos here
- Suspect ID'd as Nikolas Cruz, charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder, held without bond
- Suspect is former student who had been expelled
- Cruz said he heard voices telling him to carry out shooting
- President Trump will visit with those affected by the school shooting in Parkland on Friday afternoon/evening
- A GoFundMe has been created for the victims' families
- Court hearing held for Parkland shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz
A gunman opened fire at a Broward County high school Wednesday, killing 17 people and sending students running for their lives, according to the Broward County Sheriff.
The suspected gunman, Nikolas Cruz, 19, has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder. On Thursday a Judge ordered Cruz to be held without bond.
Governor Scott and Superintendent Robert Runce of Broward Schools joined the Broward County Sheriff to update the incident Thursday morning, watch below:
Shortly following the press conference, President Trump addressed the nation and spoke directly to the families and schoolchildren of the country. He announced his plans to visit Parkland to meet with the families and local officials.
Watch the President's address below:
The shooting took place just before 3:00 p.m. on Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.
The shooting began in the school during dismissal, according to Superintendent Runce. Several media outlets report that Cruz pulled the fire alarm causing students to exit their classrooms, that's when the shooting began. 12 people lost their lives inside the school, and three outside it, including someone standing on a street corner, according to Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel.
The Broward Sheriff's Office says at that 17 victims were transported to local hospitals, two of which passed away from their injuries.
Attorney General Pam Bondi said the state will pay for the funeral costs of the victims and do anything else they can to help. Additionally, the Broward Education Foundation created a GoFundMe to provide relief and financial support to the victims and families of the horrific shooting.
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- Local schools and students react to the shooting
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- FBI was warned about alleged Parkland shooter nearly 5 months ago, tipster says
- Teen charged with 17 murders in Florida school shooting legally bought AR-15
- Coach dies after heroically shielding students from gunfire in Florida school shooting
- DCF releases records on Parkland school shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz
Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward County says the 19-year-old suspect is in custody and that investigators are beginning to “dissect” what happened in the attack.
After the arrest
Cruz was transported to the hospital after being arrested. The male suspect was checked out at a hospital before he was transported to a secure location in a public building.
He was booked into the Broward County jail early Thursday morning:
Cruz was charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder.
Israel said Cruz was a former student who had been expelled for disciplinary reasons.
The sheriff also said Cruz had at least one rifle and multiple magazines.
"We believe he had one AR-15 rifle... he had countless magazines." —Sheriff Scott Israel
Cruz bought the AR-15 legally about a year ago, a law enforcement official who is familiar with the investigation told The Associated Press.
Video captures shots inside school
Students at the school reacted later in the night, giving us insight into how they saw the incident unfold.
"I was like praying saying please God don't let him kill me," sophomore Travon Telfair said.
"We were all getting pushed into one area and that's why I had to hop the fence, I had to get out of there," senior Hector Navarro said.
Earlier Wednesday, a view from helicopters above showed people on stretchers and being placed into the back of ambulances. Rescuers also appeared to be setting up a triage unit in a tent outside the school.
Areeb, a Marjory Stoneman Douglas High senior, describes the moment he knew he had to run for safety. @abcactionnews #ParklandShooting #stonemanshooting pic.twitter.com/psRALaOlsj
— Ryan Smith (@RyanReports) February 15, 2018
Police and deputies were seen surrounding the school with their guns drawn as they guided students outside of the school to safety.
President Donald Trump, Governor Rick Scott and Senator Bill Nelson were just a few of many who reacted to the shooting on social media:
My prayers and condolences to the families of the victims of the terrible Florida shooting. No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2018
Just spoke with @POTUS about shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. My thoughts and prayers are with the students, their families and the entire community. We will continue to receive briefings from law enforcement and issue updates.
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) February 14, 2018
Our worst fears are being realized. It looks like it’s a number of fatalities. Praying for all those students, families and school members affected at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
— Bill Nelson (@SenBillNelson) February 14, 2018
The FBI and ATF are investigating the incident.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is listed as the 33rd best traditional high school out of 478 in Florida in 2017, based on the state's school grade ranking.
Broward Schools announced that the high school will be closed for the remainder of the week.
Click here for a link to free school resources on active shooter situations and how to handle them.
