Instagram/WSVN
Nikolas Cruz.
A 19-year-old former scholar has been recognized because the suspect in a capturing at a Florida highschool that has left a number of individuals lifeless and wounded.
Nicolas Cruz, who was beforehand recognized as a menace to college students at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty was arrested after the capturing, the Miami Herald stories.
At the very least 14 victims have been taken to native hospitals after the capturing on the Parkland faculty, the Broward County Sheriff’s Workplace stated. The varsity district’s superintendent stated there are quite a few fatalities and Florida Senator Invoice Nelson stated there have been “many deaths,” however the actual variety of these killed has not been launched.
The motive for the capturing just isn't but recognized. Cruz, whose full identify is Nicolas de Jesus Cruz, in accordance to the Herald, used the identify Nikolas Cruz on social media and in addition goes by Nick Cruz.
Right here’s what you want to know:
- He Was Taken Into Custody at a House Not Far From the Faculty After Fleeing From the Scene
Nick Cruz was taken into custody at a Parkland residence not removed from the varsity about about four p.m. The capturing was first reported about 2:30 p.m. It isn't clear how Cruz escaped from the varsity, however he probably fled with college students through the chaos.
Video confirmed Cruz on the bottom being handcuffed after which being ledd right into a Broward County Sheriff’s Workplace car.
Cruz was taken to an area hospital, however it isn't clear if he was wounded or if he's being taken to the hospital for a precautionary examination.
“It’s a day that you pray every day when you get up that you will never have to see. It is in front of us,” Broward Superintendent Robert Runcie stated at a press briefing. “I ask the community for prayers and their support for the children and their families,” Runcie, showing at a media staging space close to the varsity, advised WSVN Channel 7. “We received no warning… Potentially there could have been signs out there. But we didn’t have any warning or phone calls or threats that were made.”
Broward Sheriff Scott Israel informed reporters, “the shooter was not a current student.” He added,” it’s catastrophic. There actually are not any phrases.”
- A Instructor on the Faculty Stated Cruz Was Not Allowed on Campus With a Backpack After He Threatened Different College students
WSVN/ScreengrabThe suspect is taken into custody outdoors of a house.
Nick Cruz was a former scholar on the faculty and was reported for making threats to college students prior to now, the Miami Herald studies.
“We were told last year that he wasn’t allowed on campus with a backpack on him,” Jim Gard, a math instructor who had the suspected shooter in his class final yr, advised the newspaper. “There were problems with him last year threatening students, and I guess he was asked to leave campus.”
Gard stated the varsity administration despatched out an e-mail warning academics that the scholar had made threats towards others up to now and shouldn't be allowed on the campus with a backpack.
three. He Posted Photographs of Weapons & Knives on Instagram Alongside With a Message About Capturing Being ‘Group Therapy’
A photograph posted on Instagram by the suspect.
Utilizing the identify Nikolas Cruz, the suspect posted a number of photographs in 2016 and 2015 on his Instagram web page of weapons and made statements about wanting to purchase weapons. The web page has since been deleted, however Heavy confirmed with sources who know Cruz that the web page belonged to him.
In 2016, he posted a photograph of a shotgun he stated he needed to purchase.
“I plan on getting this but I need more information on it so if someone could give advice on how much I’m spending and background cheeks please to god let me know,” he wrote in 2016.
A photograph posted by Nikolas Cruz in 2016.
He additionally posted a number of pictures in January 2016 of himself holding knives.
Nikolas Cruz.
Nikolas Cruz
In 2015, he posted a screenshot of a Google seek for the phrase, “what does allahu akbar.” He then wrote within the caption, “Well at least we now know what it means when a sand durka says “allahu Akbar” ??????”
InstagramA photograph posted by Cruz.
Additionally in 2015, he posted a meme of a goal with bullet holes in it with the phrases “Group therapy, sometimes it works.” He added within the caption, “It really does f*cking work give it a try ;).”
A photograph posted by Nikolas Cruz.
four. A Scholar Says ‘Everyone Predicted’ the Suspect Would Be the Shooter
Nick Cruz.
In 2015, Nicolas Cruz posted a photograph of himself giving the center finger with the caption, “F*ck youuuuuuuuuuuu allllll.”
A scholar on the faculty informed WJXT-TV’s Vic Micolucci that college students thought Cruz can be the suspect.
“Honestly a lot of people were saying it was going to be him,” the scholar stated. “A lot of kids threw jokes around like that, saying that he’s the one to shoot up the school, but it turns out, you know, everyone predicted it. That’s crazy. He was on the third floor, he knows the school layout. He knows where everyone would be at. He’s been in fire drills, he’s prepared for this stuff.”
College students have stated that fireplace alarms went off earlier than the capturing they usually initially thought it was a drill. It isn't clear if a drill was deliberate or if somebody pulled the alarm.
Police acquired a tip that the suspect was probably watching movies on Youtube about how to make bombs, in accordance to police scanner transmissions. Police have been looking the constructing as a precaution after studying about that info, however it isn't recognized if there have been any bombs left within the faculty.
The one that gave police the tip additionally had messages exchanged with the suspect.
Police have been on the suspect’s house looking for extra details about him. They have been additionally at his employer.
- College students Say There Heard a Loud Growth & A number of Photographs, Sending Them Into Hiding in Closets & Elsewhere within the Faculty
TwitterA photograph tweeted by a scholar from inside Douglas Excessive Faculty.
A scholar who's inside the varsity informed CBS Miami by means of textual content message, “All of a sudden there was a really loud noise…..people are crying” and hiding in “the closet.”
You can watch reside protection from the scene right here:
College students have taken to Twitter to present updates concerning the state of affairs, saying they’ve heard a number of photographs and are hiding within the faculty.
Jay Golden, of Parkland, whose daughter, Rachel is a senior at the highschool. She continues to be inside the varsity, Golden advised the Solar-Sentinel.
“She was crying, she’s scared. She’s been texting back and forth. She’s OK at the moment,” he informed the newspaper. “I’m freaking out. This is crazy, this stuff shouldn’t be going on in these schools. People are crazy. I don’t know what goes on through these people’s minds these days, it’s a scary thing. It’s one of those things – you don’t want to put a metal protector and treat them like prisoners but they have to figure something out. You put your kids in school and it’s supposed to be a safe place and this stuff happens all the time.”
Federal authorities are responding to the scene, together with the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, which is typical in lively shooter incidents.
“ATF agents from the Miami Field Division are responding to reports of a school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla. The investigation is ongoing and active,” the ATF tweeted.
The Coral Springs Police tweeted, “Worried parents of Douglas HS students, while this is Parkland scene (handled by BSO) we are assisting. We understand you are worried for your children (and nearby Middle School children, which was put on lock down as a precaution). 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.”
“AVOID AREA OF DOUGLAS HS for ACTIVE POLICE SCENE. Do not call 911 unless an emergency. Nothing further,” the Coral Springs Police Division, one of many businesses to reply, tweeted.
College students/Academics #Douglas Excessive Faculty Stay barricaded inside till police attain you.
— Coral Springs Police (@CoralSpringsPD) February 14, 2018
The division added, “Students/Teachers #Douglas High School Remain barricaded inside until police reach you.”
Mother and father are being informed to go to a lodge close to the varsity:
About 2,900 college students are enrolled at Marjory Stoneman Douglas Excessive Faculty in Parkland, Florida, in accordance to its web site.
The varsity is a part of the Broward County Public Faculties system.
I’ve spoken with @BrowardSheriff Scott Israel, 
— Rick Scott (@FLGovScott) February 14, 2018
“I’ve spoken with @BrowardSheriff Scott Israel,
President Donald Trump has been made conscious of the state of affairs, the White Home says.
“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,” Trump tweeted. “Just spoke to Governor Rick Scott. We are working closely with law enforcement on the terrible Florida school shooting.”
Parkland Mayor Philip Levine tweeted, “Keeping the children, faculty and first responders at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in our thoughts as we learn more about the horrible incident unfolding.”
Florida Congresswoman Fredrica Wilson tweeted, “My thoughts and prayers are with the victims of the horrific shooting taking place at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. It is heartbreaking that these violent incidents continue to take place in schools, a place where our children should feel and be the most safe!”