A suspected shooter is in custody and at least 17 people are dead after a shooting at a Parkland high school, Broward Sheriff’s Office confirmed. Twelve of the victims have been identified, and officials are working to notify their parents.
The suspected shooter was been taken into custody after the mass shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.
A senior official said the shooter used a rifle but may have also had a handgun.
“From what I understand, there was a time where he did attend the school. I don’t know why he left”, said Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Israel while giving an update Wednesday evening.
The suspected shooter has been identified as Nicolas Cruz, 19. He is a former student at the school.
Officers arrested Cruz around 4 p.m., in a community near the school located at 11735 NW 47th Drive.
Police then put him on a stretcher and rushed him to Broward North hospital with a police escort. It is not clear why the suspected gunman was taken to the hospital. A witness told CBS4 in Miami that the suspect did not appear to be injured.
At last check, medical examiners were still walking through the building, looking for anyone else, said Broward Mayor Beam Furr, who was a teacher for 25 years.
Officers arrested the suspected shooter around 4 p.m., in a community near the school located at 11735 NW 47th Drive. Police later rushed to Broward North hospital with a police escort. It is why the suspected gunman was taken to the hospital. A witness told CBS4’s Ted Scouten, he did not appear to be injured and he was compliant when police were arresting him.
The father of a student at the school says the shooter was allegedly “wearing a black vest with a red shirt…and supposedly he pulled the fire alarm and planned it”, according to CBS This Morning.
The school was placed on lockdown for a few hours after the call which came in around 2 p.m., but students were trickling out slowly, many with their hands up and tears in their eyes. When they came out, students were leaving their backpacks in a pile outside of the school.
President Donald Trump has been made aware of the school shooting.
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
Florida Gov. Rick Scott issued a statement on the shooting.
I’ve spoken with @BrowardSheriff Scott Israel, @browardschools Superintendent Robert Runcie and FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen regarding Stoneman Douglas High School. We’ll continue to receive updates from law enforcement.
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) February 14, 2018
