Florida School Shooting: Marjory Stoneman Douglas school in Florida had been on a "code red" lockdown
An ex-student opened fire at a Florida high school today, killing at least 17 people and injuring around 14. The sheriff of Broward County, Florida says that the shooter is in custody. Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, 72 km north of Miami, had been placed on a "code red" lockdown. At least 17 people were killed before the gunman, identified as Nikolaus Cruz, 19, was taken into custody. Students hid in classrooms until they were rescued by police.
"There are numerous fatalities. It's a horrific situation," Broward Country Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie told reporters. He said the school district had got no warning of a potential shooter and that there was no evidence of more than one shooter.
Live television showed dozens of students, weaving their way between law enforcement officers with heavy weapons and helmets, and large numbers of emergency vehicles including police cars, ambulances and fire trucks.
President Donald Trump, Melania Trump, Senator Marco Rubio and the Governor of Florida Rick Scott tweeted condolences for the victims and assured that rescue operations are underway.
The shooting was the latest in a deadly series of attacks at US schools. A 15-year-old gunman in January killed two students at a high school in US' Benton, Kentucky.
Here are the updates from the Florida school shooting:
The Broward Sheriff's Office in its press realease say, "Seventeen victims were transported to Broward Health Coral Springs, Broward Health North, Broward Health Medical Center and Boca West Medical Center. Two of the 17 victims who were transported died at the hospital.
Fifteen victims died at the school." The release further read investigators are working to identify all the victims.
The next media briefing of the sheriff's office is expected to be around 9PM (IST) tonight.
Broward Schools Twitter handle announced that Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School will be closed Thursday, February 15 and Friday, February 16, 2018. All school activities have also been cancelled.
Senator Marco Rubio tweets attack was designed to maximize loss of life.
The suspect Nikolaus Cruz, 19, was a former student at the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School who had been expelled for "disciplinary reasons."
"We have already begun to dissect his websites and things on social media," Sheriff Israel said, calling some of the posts "very, very disturbing."
Broward County Sheriff Steve Israel said the victims were a mix of students and adults, though he could not confirm if the adults were teachers.
Sheriff Scott Israel is addressing the public now. Here the main developments:
- "I'm saddened to say that 17 people lost their lives." he says.
- Suspect Nikolaus Cruz, 19, who was an ex student of the school, is in custody.
Broward County Sheriff Israel to brief the public shortly.
The school had recently held a meeting to discuss what to do in such an attack, Ryan Gott, a 15-year-old freshman told a news channel.
Senator Marco Rubio says the school shooting scene is still active.
The shooter is an ex-student and surrendered quietly to police, says Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel. He is 18 years old.
First Lady Melania Trump also tweeted expressing grief over the shooting.
Parents looking for their children are instructed by the Sheriff's office to go the staging area.
"There are numerous fatalities. It's a horrific situation," Broward Country Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie told reporters. He said the school district had gotten no warning of a potential shooter and that there was no evidence of more than one shooter.
President Donald Trump tweeted his condolences to the victims of families and that work is being closely done with the law enforcement agencies.
Florida Governor Rick Scott said on Twitter that had he had been in touch with local officials about the incident as well as President Donald Trump.
"It's catastrophic. There really are no words.": Sheriff Israel
Live television showed dozens of students, weaving their way between law enforcement officers with heavy weapons and helmets, and large numbers of emergency vehicles including police cars, ambulances and fire trucks.
A person who identified herself as the sister of a student at the school described the scene in a text message to Reuters: "She heard him shooting through the windows of classrooms and two students were shot."
Panicked parents checked on their children.
"My daughter, as of right now, she's still trapped in a closet. She's afraid to speak," a man who identified himself as Caesar Figueroa and said his daughter was inside the school, told CBS News.
SWAT operations are underway.
Sheriff Israel says the shooter was not an existing student and SWAT was still clearing the school.
Senator Marco Rubio expressed his condolences and said the situation is being monitored.
The number of victims reported are at least 14 according to Broward County Sheriff's Twitter account. Victims are being transported to Broward Health Medical Center and Broward Health North hospital.
Broward county's sheriff tweeted that the shooter is in custody. The school went on lockdown during the shooting.
The shooting is been referred as the Stoneman Shooting, after the name of the school.
A person who identified herself as the sister of a student at the school described the scene in a text message to Reuters: "She heard him shooting through the windows of classrooms and two students were shot."
Broward County Sheriff's Twitter account says the shooter is now in custody. Multiple people died, says U.S. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida.
Shortly before the school got over and the students were to be dismissed, the sound of gunfire ripped through the air, Broward County school officials said on Twitter, adding that multiple people had been injured in the incident.