Suspect in Custody Is 19-Year-Old Former Student, Sheriff Says
AMN
At least 17 people have been killed in a shooting incident at a high school in Parkland, Florida. Officials said the sound of gunfire ripped through the air shortly before the students were to be dismissed for the day. Hundreds of students fled onto the streets and some were evacuated. A number of people are also reported injured.
Broward County Sheriff said the shooting spree began outside the school where three people were killed.
The Sheriff said, the shooter later entered the building and killed 12 people, adding that two others succumbed to their injuries after being taken to a hospital.
The suspect, identified as a former student of the school, has been taken into custody.
“It is a horrific situation,” Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie said. “It is a horrible day for us.”
The suspect, named as Nikolas Cruz, was arrested off campus without incident about an hour after the shooting. He is a 19-year-old former student, who had a troubled history and was expelled from the school, Sheriff Israel said.
Cruz was found with multiple ammunition magazines and an AR-15-style rifle, Israel said.
“Oh my God! Oh my God!” one student yelled over and over in one video circulating on social media, as more than 40 gunshots boomed in the background.