Seventeen people were killed and more than a dozen others were taken to area hospitals after a shooting Wednesday at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Broward County Sheriff Scott…
The lone shooter was taken into custody off campus without incident.
Israel told reporters that Nikolaus Cruz, 19, was previously expelled from the high school.
Israel said Cruz used an AR-15 rifle in the shooting and was equipped with multiple magazines. The sheriff said 12 people were found dead inside the school, two just outside the building and one on Pine Island Road. Israel said two other victims died at the hospital.
Dr. Evan Boyar, medical director of Broward Health North’s Department of Emergency Medicine, said 17 patients were taken to area hospitals, including nine to Broward Health North, seven to Broward Health Medical Center and one to Broward Health Coral Springs.
He said the suspect was among those treated at Broward Health North before he was released back to police.
Cruz was seen walking into the BSO’s headquarters in a hospital gown, where he would be questioned by detectives before being taken to jail.
Two law enforcement officials and a witness said Cruz was able to leave the school after the shooting by blending in with other students who were trying to escape.
Broward Sheriff’s Office spokeswoman Keyla Concepcion said deputies were initially called to an active shooter at the school shortly before 3 p.m.
A view from Sky 10 showed the SWAT team converging on the school with their guns drawn.
At least two people were seen on stretchers. One of them was placed into the back of the ambulance.
Rescuers appeared to have a triage unit set up under a tent outside the school.
Students could be seen being guided off campus. Some of them had their hands in the air and others were walking out with their hands on each other’s shoulders in a human chain.
It appeared that students were dropping their backpacks in the middle of the street as they were being guided to safety. A crowd of students could be seen sitting on the grass next to the road.
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A parent of a ninth-grade student told Local 10 that she was speaking to her daughter via text message.
« She’s telling me that she is OK, » the woman said. « The teacher has them in the back of the classroom. He locked the door. They know what to do. They’re doing the proper procedure, but she’s terrified. »
The woman said her daughter heard at least one gunshot.
« I’ll be relieved when she comes out and I can give her a hug, » she said.
A junior at the school told Local 10 he heard the shots and took off running.
« This is a terrible day for Parkland, Broward County, the state of Florida and the United States, » Israel said. « My very own triplets went to that school and graduated from Stoneman Douglas. They played football and lacrosse at that school, so it’s just catastrophic. There really are no words. »
Israel said the shooter « was outside and inside at varying times. »
Deputies and Coral Springs police on Twitter were asking parents to pick up their students at the Marriott on Heron Bay Boulevard.
Parents of children who attend nearby Westglades Middle School were able to pick up their children shortly before 6 p.m. at the school. Pine Island Road remained blocked, but parents could enter from Coral Ridge Drive via Holmberg Road.
Authorities cleared out the high school hours after the shooting.
« It’s one of the biggest schools in Broward County. It’s huge. It’s a huge campus, so we have multiple SWAT teams clearing every building to make sure that there are no other shooters, » Israel said before the scene was cleared.
Gov. Rick Scott was traveling to Broward County to be briefed by law enforcement officials.
Israel said he also spoke to President Donald Trump, who « offered the full power of the United States of America to help us get through this. »
The shooting was the 19th at a U. S. school so far in 2018.
The FBI has established a tipline following the shooting. Anyone with information about the Parkland school massacre is asked to call 1-800-Call-FBI.
AVOID AREA OF DOUGLAS HS for ACTIVE POLICE SCENE. Do not call 911 unless an emergency. Nothing further.
— Coral Springs Police (@CoralSpringsPD) February 14,2018
Students/Teachers #Douglas High School Remain barricaded inside until police reach you.
— Coral Springs Police (@CoralSpringsPD) February 14,2018
Police are working an active shooter scene, and ask that if you are in touch with your student you ask that they remain calm and barricaded until police come to their room, this is for everyone’s safety. Do NOT call our 911 or non-emergency number unless it is an emergency.
— Coral Springs Police (@CoralSpringsPD) February 14,2018
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