The teenage gunman claimed he heard voices in his head that instructed him to pull off Florida school shooting, ‘ABC News’ reports. Days after the deadly shootout at Marjory Stoneman…
The teenage gunman claimed he heard voices in his head that instructed him to pull off Florida school shooting, ‚ABC News‘ reports.
Days after the deadly shootout at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, new details have been revealed about the 19-year-old suspect, Nikolas Cruz. The troubled teenager, who was arrested shortly after the attack, reportedly told investigators that he heard “demonic voices” in his head, pushing him to carry out the massacre.
According to public defender Melisa McNeil, Cruz suffers from psychological problems, depression, and autism, which could possibly cause the alleged demon voices in his head.
Authorities also revealed that they were called to the teen’s family home 39 times in the past. Police records stated that they have received multiple emergency calls, including “mentally ill person,” “child/elderly abuse,” “domestic abuse,” “missing person,” and several others.
Broward County Public Defender Howard Finkelstein said in a statement that they are overwhelmingly saddened by the incident, but pointed out that “every system failed.”
“Because we failed to stop it, and we could have, we should not kill the person who behaved as we feared but ignored.”
And while Cruz has already admitted to the crime, his lawyers said he was deeply troubled and remorseful over his actions.
Finkelstein said he is unsure if the prosecutors will agree to drop the death penalty, but he’s hopeful that they will consider it.
However, Florida Attorney general Pam Bondi said Friday that prosecutors are likely to seek the death penalty against Cruz, given that he executed a well thought out plan.
“Anyone who, in general, is cold, calculated, premeditated, something that is so well thought out, something that is planned, something that is organized in advance, those all weigh very heavily.”
Meanwhile, the State Attorney’s Office for Broward County told the outlet that it’s still too early in the investigation to discuss death penalty.
During his first court appearance on Thursday, Cruz kept his eyes down and didn’t speak much. Wearing his orange jumpsuit and shackles on his wrists and ankles, the troubled teenager appeared remorseful.
McNeil, who accompanied the suspect in court, revealed that Cruz is currently on suicide watch, adding that he is fully aware of the magnitude of his actions. She also claimed that Cruz was “filled with regret” and “broken” after the incident.
“He’s sad. He’s mournful. He’s remorseful. He is fully aware of what is going on, and he’s just a broken human being.”
