Parkland high school shooting#Victims
{{short description|2018 mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, US}}
{{pp|reason=Persistent disruptive editing; requested at WP:RfPP|small=yes}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2021}}
{{Use American English|date=March 2019}}
{{Infobox civilian attack
| title = Parkland high school shooting
| image = Cruz-floor2.jpg
| image_upright = 1.15
| alt =
| caption = Cruz on the second floor
| map = {{Location map | USA Florida # USA
| float = center
| width = 250
| label = Parkland
| background =
| coordinates = {{coord|26.3053|-80.2683}}
}}
| map_size =
| map_alt =
| map_caption =
| location = Parkland, Florida, U.S.
| coordinates = {{plainlist|
- {{Coord|26.3053|N|80.2683|W|type:event_region:US-FL|name=Shooting|display=inline,title}} (shooting)
- {{Coord|26.2897|N|80.2871|W|type:event_region:US-FL|name=Arrest|display=inline}} (arrest){{refn|group=note|4700 block of Wyndham Lakes Drive, Coral Springs.}}}}
| date = {{start date and age|February 14, 2018}}
| time-begin = 2:21
| time-end = 2:27 p.m.
| timezone = EST
| type = School shooting, mass murder, mass shooting
| fatalities = 17
| injuries = 18
| perpetrator = Nikolas Jacob Cruz
| target = Students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School
| victims =
| weapons = Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II semi-automatic rifle
| motive = Disputed:
- Revenge for perceived social rejection (prosecution)
- Brain dysfunctions caused from fetal alcohol spectrum disorder{{Cite web|url=https://apnews.com/article/shootings-education-florida-fort-lauderdale-parkland-school-shooting-045455fc875b7a91800468995c18dcf5 |title=School shooter chose Valentine's Day to ruin it forever |website=Associated Press News |date=October 6, 2022 }} (defense)
- Declining mental health and depression{{Cite web|url=https://www.wptv.com/news/parkland-shooting/parkland-school-shooter-nikolas-cruz-contemplated-massacre-for-years|title=Parkland school shooter Nikolas Cruz contemplated massacre for years|date=October 3, 2022 }} (defense)
- Attempt to ruin Valentine's Day (self-declared)
| convicted =
| verdict = *Cruz: Pleaded guilty
- Scot Peterson (school resource officer): found not guilty of 11 criminal charges{{efn|Acquitted of seven counts of child neglect, three counts of culpable negligence, and one count of perjury.}}
| convictions = 17 counts of premeditated first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder
{{Infobox event
| child = yes
| sentence = 34 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole
| litigation = Four lawsuits by families of victims settled
- Lawsuit against school district settled for $25 million
- Lawsuit against federal government settled for $125 to $130 million
- Two lawsuits against Cruz settled for $5 and $190 million respectively
}}
}}
On February 14, 2018, a mass shooting occurred when 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire on students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, part of the Miami metropolitan area, Parkland, Florida, killing 17 people{{refn|group=note|14 students and three staff members}} and injuring 18 others.{{Cite news |url=https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/14/florida-shooting-school-latest-news-stoneman-douglas |title=Florida school shooting: at least 17 people dead on 'horrific, horrific day' |last1=Laughland |first1=Oliver |last2=Luscombe |first2=Richard |last3=Yuhas |first3=Alan |date=February 15, 2018 |work=The Guardian |access-date=February 15, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215075616/https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/feb/14/florida-shooting-school-latest-news-stoneman-douglas |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }}{{cite news |last1=Earl |first1=Jennifer |title=Florida school shooting among 10 deadliest in modern US history |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-school-shooting-among-10-deadliest-in-modern-us-history |access-date=February 15, 2018 |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=February 14, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215021549/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/14/florida-school-shooting-among-10-deadliest-in-modern-us-history.html |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }}{{Cite news |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-shooting-bso-perimeter-20180302-story.html |title=Captain in Parkland school shooting was brought onto force by Sheriff Israel |last1=Fleshler |first1=David |last2=Hobbs |first2=Stephen |last3=Huriash |first3=Lisa J. |last4=Trischitta |first4=Linda |date=March 2, 2018 |work=Sun-Sentinel |access-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307001232/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-shooting-bso-perimeter-20180302-story.html |url-status=live }} Cruz, a former student at the school, fled the scene on foot by blending in with other students and was arrested without incident approximately one hour and twenty minutes later in nearby Coral Springs.{{cite news|url=https://cbs12.com/news/local/gunman-went-to-subway-walmart-and-mcdonalds-after-school-shooting-sheriff|title=Gunman went to Walmart and McDonald's after school shooting: Sheriff|last=Detman|first=Gary|date=February 15, 2018|access-date=March 26, 2019|publisher=WPEC|location=West Palm Beach, Florida|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327090200/https://cbs12.com/news/local/gunman-went-to-subway-walmart-and-mcdonalds-after-school-shooting-sheriff|url-status=live}} Police and prosecutors investigated "a pattern of disciplinary issues and unnerving behavior".{{Cite news |url= https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/02/15/florida-school-shooting-suspect-booked-on-17-counts-of-murder-premeditated/ |title='A day of mourning': Florida school shooting suspect denied bond, charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder |last1=Rozsa |first1=Lori |date=February 15, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 15, 2018 |last2=Berman |first2=Mark |last3=Barrett |first3=Devlin |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180215154905/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/02/15/florida-school-shooting-suspect-booked-on-17-counts-of-murder-premeditated/ |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }}
The incident is the deadliest mass shooting at a high school in U.S. history. The shooting came at a period of heightened public support for gun control that followed mass shootings in Paradise, Nevada, and in Sutherland Springs, Texas, in October and November 2017.
Students at Parkland founded Never Again MSD, an advocacy group that lobbies for gun control. On {{nowrap|March 9}}, Governor Rick Scott signed a bill that implemented new restrictions to Florida's gun laws and also allowed for the arming of teachers who were properly trained and the hiring of more school resource officers.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/09/us/florida-gov-scott-gun-bill/index.html |title=Florida Gov. Rick Scott signs gun bill |last1=Sanchez |first1=Ray |last2=Yan |first2=Holly |date=March 9, 2018 |publisher=CNN |access-date=March 10, 2018 |archive-date=March 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309225741/https://www.cnn.com/2018/03/09/us/florida-gov-scott-gun-bill/index.html |url-status=live }}
The Broward County Sheriff's Office received widespread criticism for its handling of the police response, both for not following up on multiple warnings about Cruz despite a lengthy record of threatening behavior and for staying outside the school instead of immediately confronting him.{{cite news|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sheriff-scott-israel-removed-office-after-criticism-parkland-school-shooting-n957916|title=Sheriff Scott Israel removed from office after criticism of Parkland school shooting response|last=Li|first=David K.|date=January 11, 2019|access-date=March 26, 2019|publisher=NBC News|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327231445/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sheriff-scott-israel-removed-office-after-criticism-parkland-school-shooting-n957916|url-status=live}} This led to the resignations of several police officers who responded to the scene, and the removal of Sheriff Scott Israel. A commission appointed by then-Governor Scott to investigate the shooting condemned the police inaction and urged school districts across the state to adopt greater measures of security.{{cite news|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-ne-florida-school-shooting-commission-day-2-story.html|title=Broward Sheriff's sergeant called 'an absolute, total failure' as Parkland shooting panel slams agency|last=Fleshler|first=David|date=December 13, 2018|work=Sun-Sentinel|access-date=March 26, 2019|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091156/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-ne-florida-school-shooting-commission-day-2-story.html|url-status=live}}
On October 20, 2021, Cruz pleaded guilty to all charges and apologized for his crimes. The prosecution sought the death penalty, and a four-month death penalty trial was expected to commence in January 2022.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/parkland-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-guilty-plea-1bad323e22fe4517cf851395b252bd4b|title=Nikolas Cruz pleads guilty to 2018 Parkland school massacre|first=Terry|last=Spencer|work=AP NEWS|date=October 20, 2021|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109064458/https://apnews.com/article/parkland-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-guilty-plea-1bad323e22fe4517cf851395b252bd4b|url-status=live}} After suffering numerous delays, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial commenced on July 18, 2022.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/nikolas-cruz-parkland-shooting-trial-e8a15846f345b12e320e3f7b723086ff|title=Prosecutor recalls coldness, cruelty of Parkland gunman|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=July 20, 2022|last=Spencer|first=Terry|date=July 18, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/education-florida-fort-lauderdale-parkland-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-da4adabf12abd070d3e3e59d20105674|title=Jury is chosen to decide Florida school shooter's sentence|publisher=Associated Press|access-date=July 20, 2022|date=June 28, 2022|last=Spencer|first=Terry}} On October 13, 2022, a jury unanimously agreed that Cruz was eligible for the death penalty, but deadlocked on whether it should be imposed, resulting in a recommendation to sentence him to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole.{{Cite news |last=Wamsley |first=Laurel |date=2022-10-13 |title=A jury recommends life in prison for Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz |language=en |work=NPR |url=https://www.npr.org/2022/10/13/1128216085/parkland-shooter-nikolas-cruz-sentenced |access-date=2022-10-13}} On November 2, 2022, Cruz was sentenced to life without parole, in accordance with a Florida law requiring the court not to depart from the jury's recommendation.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/shootings-education-florida-fort-lauderdale-parkland-school-shooting-343ad047ce2904328a3310a0714e6274|title=Parkland school killer formally sentenced to life in prison|work=AP NEWS|access-date=November 2, 2022}}{{cite news|url=https://www.straitstimes.com/world/united-states/florida-high-school-mass-shooter-sentenced-to-life-in-prison|title=Florida high school mass shooter sentenced to life in prison|work=The Straits Times|date=November 3, 2022|location=Singapore|access-date=November 3, 2022}} The unanimity required to impose the death penalty has since been overturned by a bill signed by Governor Ron DeSantis, partly as a result of Cruz's sentencing.
Shooting
The shooting took place during the afternoon of {{nowrap|February 14}}, 2018, at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, an affluent suburb about {{convert|30|mi}} northwest of Fort Lauderdale and {{convert|45|mi}} northwest of Miami.{{cite news |last1=Burch |first1=Audra D. S. |last2=Mazzei |first2=Patricia |title=Death Toll Is at 17 and Could Rise in Shooting |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/14/us/parkland-school-shooting.html |access-date=March 3, 2018 |work=The New York Times |date=February 14, 2018 |archive-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302212303/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/14/us/parkland-school-shooting.html |url-status=live }} The shooter, Nikolas Cruz, was dropped off at the school by an Uber driver{{cite news |first=David J. |last=Neal |title=Uber driver says Nikolas Cruz told her: 'I am going to my music class' |date=February 28, 2018 |access-date=February 28, 2018 |work=Miami Herald |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article202565414.html |archive-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301044301/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article202565414.html |url-status=live }} at 2:19 p.m.,{{cite news |title=Florida school shooting suspect hid among students after massacre |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2018 |publisher=CBS News |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/parkland-florida-shooting-nikolas-cruz-continued-coverage-2018-02-15-live-updates/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215205917/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/parkland-florida-shooting-nikolas-cruz-continued-coverage-2018-02-15-live-updates/ |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }} 20 minutes before dismissal time.{{Cite news |url=http://projects.sun-sentinel.com/2018/sfl-parkland-school-shooting-critical-moments |title=Unprepared and Overwhelmed |date=December 28, 2018 |work=Sun-Sentinel |access-date=December 30, 2018 |archive-date=December 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230073033/http://projects.sun-sentinel.com/2018/sfl-parkland-school-shooting-critical-moments/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/officers-searched-florida-school-shooting-suspect-was-shopping-campus-authorities-n848501 |title=As officers searched Florida school, shooting suspect was shopping, authorities say |first=Alex |last=Johnson |publisher=NBC News |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180216003646/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/officers-searched-florida-school-shooting-suspect-was-shopping-campus-authorities-n848501 |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }} According to a police report, Cruz was carrying a rifle case{{Cite web|url=https://www.ammoland.com/2018/12/cowardice-at-parkland-shooting-security-recognized-shooter-rifle-case-video/|title=Cowardice at Parkland Shooting: "Security" Recognized Shooter, Rifle Case|last=Weingarten|first=Dean|date=December 4, 2018|website=AmmoLand.com|access-date=March 26, 2019|archive-date=March 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190327091822/https://www.ammoland.com/2018/12/cowardice-at-parkland-shooting-security-recognized-shooter-rifle-case-video/|url-status=live}} and a backpack.{{cite news |publisher=CBS News |date=February 16, 2018 |title=Teacher told students to run after encountering Florida school shooting suspect |access-date=March 14, 2018 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-fatal-rampage-marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-school/ |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315153043/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-fatal-rampage-marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-school/ |url-status=live }} An AR-15–style semi-automatic rifle{{refn|group=note|Smith & Wesson M&P15.{{cite news |title=A city that makes guns confronts its role in the Parkland mass shooting |first=Todd C. |last=Frankel |date=March 22, 2018 |access-date=July 31, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/a-city-that-makes-guns-confronts-its-role-in-the-parkland-mass-shooting/2018/03/22/529d9874-2bc0-11e8-b0b0-f706877db618_story.html |quote=The gun was a Smith & Wesson M&P15, a version of the controversial AR-15 military-style rifle. |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612144153/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/economy/a-city-that-makes-guns-confronts-its-role-in-the-parkland-mass-shooting/2018/03/22/529d9874-2bc0-11e8-b0b0-f706877db618_story.html |url-status=live }}}} and multiple magazines were concealed.{{cite news |work=Miami Herald |date=February 27, 2018 |first1=Nicholas |last1=Nehamas |first2=David |last2=Smiley |title=Florida school shooter's AR-15 may have jammed, saving lives, report says |access-date=March 2, 2018 |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article202486304.html |archive-date=March 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180302142620/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article202486304.html |url-status=live }} He was spotted and recognized by a campus monitor who radioed a colleague that he was walking "purposefully" toward Building 12.{{cite news |publisher=CNN |date=March 8, 2018 |first1=Nicole |last1=Chavez |first2=Steve |last2=Almasy |title=What happened, moment by moment, in the Florida school massacre |access-date=March 14, 2018 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/15/us/florida-school-shooting-timeline/index.html |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315134156/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/15/us/florida-school-shooting-timeline/index.html |url-status=live }} The campus monitor did not declare a Code Red lockdown and sent a radio message to a colleague inside Building 12, which Cruz had entered. The school's policies did not specify clearly who could order a lockdown, and staff had been trained not to order a lockdown unless they saw a gun or heard shots being fired.{{refn|group=note|The campus monitor who received the radio warning hid inside a janitor's closet after hearing shots being fired, and survived the attack.{{Cite news |title=Unprepared and Overwhelmed|last1=Alanez |first1=Tonya |last2=Fleshler |first2=David |last3=Hobbs |first3=Stephen |last4=Huriash |first4=Lisa J. |last5=McMahon |first5=Paula |last6=O'Matz |first6=Megan |last7=Travis |first7=Scott |newspaper=South Florida Sun-Sentinel |date=December 28, 2018|url= https://projects.sun-sentinel.com/2018/sfl-parkland-school-shooting-critical-moments/|archive-date=December 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181230073033/http://projects.sun-sentinel.com/2018/sfl-parkland-school-shooting-critical-moments/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |first1=Tonya |last1=Alanez |first2=Paula |last2=McMahon |first3=Anne |last3=Geggis |title="That's crazy boy." School watchman recognized but didn't stop shooter before Parkland massacre. |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/crime/fl-florida-school-shooting-campus-monitor-20180619-htmlstory.html |access-date=June 29, 2018 |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=June 1, 2018 |archive-date=June 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629102220/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/news/crime/fl-florida-school-hshooting-campus-monitor-20180619-htmlstory.html |url-status=live }}}} Cruz entered Building 12,{{refn|group=note|Also known as the "freshman building" because it was originally built for use only by freshmen, it later became used for other grades as well.}} a three-story structure containing 30 classrooms typically occupied by about 900 students and 30 teachers, at approximately 2:21 p.m.{{cite news |first1=Sarah |last1=Almukhtar |first2=K. K. Rebecca |last2=Lai |first3=Anjali |last3=Singvhi |first4=Karen |last4=Yourish |title=What Happened Inside the Florida School Shooting |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=February 19, 2018 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/15/us/florida-school-shooting-map.html |archive-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218200608/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/15/us/florida-school-shooting-map.html |url-status=live }}
Upon entering the building, Cruz rapidly assembled his weapon at the base of a stairwell adjacent to the first floor classrooms. As he did so, he was interrupted by a student named Christopher McKenna, whom Cruz informed: "[You'd] better get out of here, something bad's about to happen." McKenna fled the building and notified staff members of the unfolding threat.{{cite magazine|last=Barton|first=Eric|url=https://www.menshealth.com/trending-news/a39927553/scot-peterson-parkland-shooting/ |title=Scot Peterson Sleeps at Night |magazine=Men's Health |date=May 19, 2022 |access-date=June 30, 2024}} Cruz then entered the first floor hallway, where he observed three students—Martin Anguiano, Gina Montalto, and Luke Hoyer—who were in the hallway outside room 1215. He killed all three in the hallway at 2:21 p.m.,{{Cite news |url= http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-guns-20180215-story.html |title=Nikolas Cruz passed background check, including mental health questions, to get AR-15 rifle |first1=Skyler |last1=Swisher |first2=Paula |last2=McMahon |work=Sun-Sentinel |access-date=February 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180216013513/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-guns-20180215-story.html |archive-date=February 16, 2018}} with another student within the hallway, 15-year-old Ashley Baez, wounded once in her upper leg.{{cite news |url=https://www.wptv.com/parkland-shooting/nikolas-cruz-sentencing-trial-7-20-22 |title=Former Parkland students, teacher describe being 'ambushed' by Nikolas Cruz during school shooting |date=July 20, 2022 |publisher=WPTV-TV |access-date=June 30, 2024 }} He then fired through the windows of four closed classroom doors, killing six more students and wounding thirteen others. Two staff members were also killed on the first floor of the building.{{cite news |url= https://www.foxnews.com/us/parkland-high-school-shooting-at-least-17-killed-suspect-in-custody-florida-sheriff-says/ |title=Parkland high school shooting: At least 17 killed, suspect in custody, Florida sheriff says |first=Elizabeth |last=Zwirz |date=February 14, 2018 |publisher=Fox News Channel |access-date=February 14, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180214205431/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/14/florida-high-school-under-lockdown-after-reports-shooter-victims-police-say.html |archive-date=February 14, 2018 }}{{cite news|url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/school-shooting-at-marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-in-florida-live-updates/|title=Suspect, Nikolas Cruz, in custody in Parkland school shooting in Florida|publisher=CBS News|date=February 14, 2018|access-date=February 14, 2018|archive-date=February 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180214230822/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/school-shooting-at-marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-in-florida-live-updates/|url-status=live}}
Due to gunshot reverberation within the hallways, the fire alarm within the building activated, causing confusion because there had been a fire drill earlier in the day.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/today-was-different-florida-high-school-teacher-describes-confusion-then-n848221 |title=Florida school shooting: Teachers describe chaos as students fled gunman |publisher=NBC News |first=Alex |last=Johnson |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224065543/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/today-was-different-florida-high-school-teacher-describes-confusion-then-n848221 |url-status=live }} Students were unable to seek shelter at "hard corners"—areas of a classroom that people could safely hide at if a gunman peered through the window of a door—because many of the classrooms in Building 12 lacked one, and furniture otherwise obstructed potential safe spaces.
File:BCSO deputy Scot Peterson outside as gunman murders students inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.jpg deputy Scot Peterson outside Building 12 during the shooting]]
As the shooting unfolded, a "Code Red" was still not called due to confusion among school employees over who had the authority to do so. At about 2:21 p.m., a staff member eventually activated a lockdown, but only after discovering the body of a victim and hearing gunfire.{{cite news |url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-82-minutes-florida-shooting-20180215-story.html |title=What happened in the 82 minutes between Nikolas Cruz's arrival and arrest during Florida shooting |last1=Fahrenthold |first1=David A. |last2=Sullivan |first2=Kevin |last3=Schmidt |first3=Samantha |date=February 15, 2018 |work=Chicago Tribune |access-date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216052514/http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/ct-82-minutes-florida-shooting-20180215-story.html |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }}{{cite news |last1=Fleshler |first1=David |last2=Chokey |first2=Aric |last3=Huriash |first3=Lisa J. |last4=Trischitta |first4=Linda |title=Florida school shooting leaves 17 dead as gunman stalked halls |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/fl-sb-active-shooter-marjory-stoneman-high-20180214-story.html |work=Sun-Sentinel |access-date=February 14, 2018 |date=February 14, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180214221817/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/fl-sb-active-shooter-marjory-stoneman-high-20180214-story.html |archive-date=February 14, 2018 }} An armed school resource officer of the Broward County Sheriff's Office was on campus when the shooting broke out, and he remained outside between Building 12 and the adjacent Building 7.{{cite web |url=http://www.sheriff.org/PIO/News/Pages/STONEMAN-DOUGLAS-SHOOTING-TIMELINE-OF-EVENTS-.aspx |title=Stoneman Douglas shooting timeline of events |date=February 15, 2018 |publisher=Broward County Sheriff's Office |access-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219040539/http://www.sheriff.org/PIO/News/Pages/STONEMAN-DOUGLAS-SHOOTING-TIMELINE-OF-EVENTS-.aspx |url-status=dead }}
After killing two staff members near the first floor stairwell, Cruz proceeded to the second floor, where he fired into two empty classrooms. On the third floor, he shot and killed five students and another staff member, who all had been stranded in the hallway; three other students and two teachers were injured. Next, he went into a teachers' lounge where he attempted to shoot out the hurricane-resistant windows facing the yard in order to target students and staff fleeing below, but failed.
After he stopped shooting (possibly due to a weapon malfunction), Cruz dropped his rifle on the third floor of the building and left the scene by blending in with fleeing students. He then walked to a fast-food restaurant, stopping at a mall to get a soda on the way, and lingered before leaving on foot at 3:01 p.m.
Of the seventeen fatalities, fourteen were students while three were faculty members. Two of those killed were students in Ivy Schamis' Holocaust History class; Schamis was teaching a class lesson on combating hate when Cruz fired shots into her classroom.{{cite news|url=https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/parkland-anniversary-ivy-schamis-teacher-791083/|title=Parkland, One Year Later: Ivy Schamis, a Teacher of Hope|last=Stuart|first=Tessa|date=February 12, 2019|magazine=Rolling Stone|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417202311/https://www.rollingstone.com/politics/politics-features/parkland-anniversary-ivy-schamis-teacher-791083/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-holocaust-teacher-20180320-story.html|title=Stoneman Douglas teacher gets $1,000 to keep Holocaust lessons alive|last=Solomon|first=Lois K.|date=March 20, 2018|work=Sun-Sentinel|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=July 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210701034942/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-holocaust-teacher-20180320-story.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/04/26/holocaust-history-parkland-shooting/|title=Holocaust History Came Alive In Parkland Shooting|last=|first=|date=April 26, 2018|work=CBS 4 Miami|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=April 17, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210417205620/https://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/04/26/holocaust-history-parkland-shooting/|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://sfi.usc.edu/news/2019/02/24386-parkland-mass-shooting-one-year-later|title=Parkland mass shooting: One year later|last=|first=|date=February 13, 2019|work=USC Shoah Foundation|access-date=February 10, 2021|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110011702/https://sfi.usc.edu/news/2019/02/24386-parkland-mass-shooting-one-year-later|url-status=live}} Four students from Schamis' class were injured. According to Schamis, Cruz was unaware he was shooting into a class on the Holocaust, even though he had scrawled swastikas onto the ammunition magazines that he left at the school.
Cruz fired 139 shots during the shooting: 70 on the first floor, 2 in the stairwell, 6 on the second floor, and 61 on the third floor.{{Cite web |last=Andone |first=Eric Levenson,Dakin |date=2022-07-18 |title=Parkland school shooter was 'cold, calculative, manipulative and deadly,' prosecutors say in death penalty trial |url=https://www.cnn.com/2022/07/18/us/nikolas-cruz-parkland-shooter-penalty-phase/index.html |access-date=2024-10-11 |website=CNN |language=en}}
=Arrest=
File:Nikolas J. Cruz being arrested by police in Florida, February 14, 2018.jpg
At about 3:41 p.m., police stopped Cruz {{convert|2|mi|km}} from the school in the Wyndham Lakes neighborhood of Coral Springs and arrested him as the suspected shooter.{{cite news |last=Karimi |first=Faith |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/16/us/florida-police-dispatch-log/index.html |title=Police calls reveal frantic search to find Florida gunman |publisher=CNN |date=February 17, 2018 |access-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-date=February 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225210414/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/16/us/florida-police-dispatch-log/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Blaskey |first=Sarah |url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/breaking-news/he-turned-school-into-slaughterhouse-then-stopped-at-mcdonalds/ar-BBJcgib |title=He turned school into slaughterhouse, then stopped at McDonald's |work=Miami Herald |publisher=MSN |date=February 16, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219090343/https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/breaking-news/he-turned-school-into-slaughterhouse-then-stopped-at-mcdonalds/ar-BBJcgib |archive-date=February 19, 2018 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news |first=Andrea |last=Torres |title=Timeline of shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=February 19, 2018 |publisher=WPLG |location=Miami, Florida |url=https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/timeline-of-the-shooting-at-marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-school |archive-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218041211/https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/timeline-of-the-shooting-at-marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-school |url-status=live }} He was then taken to a hospital emergency room with "labored breathing."{{refn|group=note|Called in as a gunshot wound, according to an emergency room doctor.}} After 40 minutes, Cruz was released back into police custody and booked into the Broward County Jail.{{cite news |first=Sheri |last=Fink |title=Treating the Victims, and the Teenager Accused of Gunning Them Down |date=February 20, 2018 |access-date=February 21, 2018 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/us/shooting-medical-treatment-victims-suspect.html |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220210658/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/us/shooting-medical-treatment-victims-suspect.html |url-status=live }}
The shooting lasted for about six minutes in total,{{cite news |first1=Richard |last1=Fausset |first2=Serge F. |last2=Kovaleski |first3=Patricia |last3=Mazzei |title=On a Day Like Any Other at a Florida School, 6 Minutes of Death and Chaos |date=February 16, 2018 |access-date= February 17, 2018 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/stoneman-douglas-shooting.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217032614/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/stoneman-douglas-shooting.html |archive-date=February 17, 2018 }} and all of the victims were shot within just under four minutes.Initial Report, January 2, 2019, p. 25, 33 (first rounds fired 2:21:38; last victim shot 2:25:20) School surveillance camera video showed Cruz as the shooter,{{cite news |first=Ashley M. |last=Slayton |publisher=KLTV |location=Tyler, Texas |date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 14, 2018 |title=Doctor: Hospitals treating 16 shooting victims; 17 fatalities also confirmed |url=http://www.kltv.com/story/37507419/officials-suspect-in-fl-school-shooting-escaped-by-blending-in-with-fleeing-students |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215092445/http://www.kltv.com/story/37507419/officials-suspect-in-fl-school-shooting-escaped-by-blending-in-with-fleeing-students |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }}{{Cite news |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/school-police-florida-school-shooting/story?id=53111478 |title=What the school, police did right in Florida school shooting |last=Keneally |first=Meghan |date=February 15, 2018 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217012011/http://abcnews.go.com/US/school-police-florida-school-shooting/story?id=53111478 |url-status=live }} and he was also recognized by eyewitnesses. While SWAT paramedics were inside the building, additional paramedics from the local Fire-Rescue department repeatedly asked to enter the building. These requests were denied by the Broward Sheriff's Office, even after the suspect was arrested.{{cite news |first=Nicholas |last=Nehamas |title=Paramedics wanted to enter Parkland school where kids were dying. BSO said no. |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article212296004.html |access-date=June 1, 2018 |work=Miami Herald |date=May 31, 2018 |quote=every time McNally asked to deploy the two Rescue Task Force teams—each made up of three paramedics and three to four law enforcement officers—the Broward Sheriff's Office captain in charge of the scene, Jan Jordan, said no. |archive-date=June 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602131027/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article212296004.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Megan O'Matz |last2=Lisa J. Huriash |title=More medics kept asking to go in and rescue wounded at Stoneman Douglas. They kept being told no. |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-school-shooting-paramedics-entry-20180531-story.html |access-date=June 1, 2018 |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=May 31, 2018 |quote=Inside Marjory Stoneman Douglas High children lay dying. Outside, the Coral Springs deputy fire chief repeatedly asked a Broward sheriff's commander for permission to send his medics inside the school but was rebuffed. "The incident commander advised me: 'She would have to check,{{' "}} |archive-date=June 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602022346/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-school-shooting-paramedics-entry-20180531-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Finn |title=Florida emergency medical teams frustrated over 'delay' in Parkland school shooting response |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-emergency-medical-teams-frustrated-over-delay-in-parkland-school-shooting-response |access-date=June 1, 2018 |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=February 27, 2018 |quote=Two separate sources told Fox News some of the EMS teams who requested to enter the school were told they could not. One source said it was the Broward County Sheriff's Office – which was the commanding office – that ordered some of the EMS crews not to go into the school when they requested to enter. |archive-date=June 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180602103625/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/26/florida-emergency-medical-teams-frustrated-over-delay-in-parkland-school-shooting-response.html |url-status=live }}
Victims
Seventeen people were killed, and eighteen more were wounded.{{Cite news |last1=Fleshler |first1=David |last2=Valys |first2=Phillip |date=March 7, 2018 |title=Named for the first time: All 17 who survived Nikolas Cruz's bullets |work=Sun-Sentinel |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-wounded-list-20180307-story.html |access-date=March 7, 2018 }}{{cite news |publisher=WPLG |location=Miami, Florida |first1=Peter |last1=Burke |first2=Amanda |last2=Batchelor |first3=Carlos |last3=Suarez |first4=Neki |last4=Mohan |first5=Michael |last5=Seiden |date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 14, 2018 |title=17 killed in shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School |url= https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/shooting-marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-school |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180215092445/https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/shooting-marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-school |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }} Three of the wounded remained in critical condition the day after the shooting,{{Cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43066226|title=Florida shooting: At least 17 dead in high school attack|work=BBC News|date=February 15, 2018|access-date=November 22, 2020|archive-date=December 4, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201204160141/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43066226|url-status=live}} and one remained by the second day.{{cite news |first=Aric |last=Chokey |title=Two more people wounded in Florida school shooting released from hospital |date=February 16, 2018 |access-date=February 20, 2018 |work=Sun-Sentinel |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-hospital-patients-20180216-story.html |archive-date=February 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200222042816/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-hospital-patients-20180216-story.html |url-status=live }}
{{quote box
| align = right
| width = 36%
| title = Casualties
| quote = Killed on first floor:
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
- Alyssa Miriam Alhadeff (14)
- Martin Duque Anguiano (14)
- Nicholas Paul Dworet (17)
- Aaron Louis Feis (37)
- Christopher Brent Hixon (49)
- Luke Thomas Hoyer (15)
{{Col-break}}
- Gina Rose Montalto (14)
- Alaina Joann Petty (14)
- Helena Freja Ramsay (17)
- Alexander Logan Schachter (14)
- Carmen Marie Schentrup (16)
{{Col-end}}
Killed on third floor:
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
- Scott J. Beigel (35)
- Jaime Taylor Guttenberg (14)
- Cara Marie Loughran (14)
{{Col-break}}
- Joaquin Oliver (17)
- Meadow Jade Pollack (18)
- Peter Wang (15)
{{Col-end}}
Injured:
{{Col-begin}}
{{Col-break}}
- Ashley Baez (15)
- Anthony Borges (15)
- Isabel Chequer (16)
- Justin Colton (14)
- Alexander Dworet (15)
- Samantha Fuentes (18)
- Samantha Grady (17)
- Marian Kabachenko (14)
- Kyle Laman (15)
{{Col-break}}
- Samantha Mayor (17)
- William Olson (14)
- Stacey Lynn Lippel (50)
- Kheshava Mangapuram (14)
- Daniela Menescal (17)
- Ernest Rospierski (37)
- Genesis Valentin (15)
- Benjamin Wikander (17)
- Madeleine Wilford (17)
{{Col-end}}
}}
= Fatalities =
Fourteen of the fatalities died inside the building; three others died in or en route to the hospital.{{cite news |work=Miami Herald |date=February 21, 2018 |title=The 17 lives lost at Douglas High |access-date=March 1, 2018 |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article201139254.html |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228223031/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article201139254.html |url-status=live }}
Geography teacher Scott Beigel was killed after he unlocked a classroom for students to enter and hide from Cruz.{{cite news |title=Student Describes Hearing Her Teacher Being Fatally Shot in Florida School Shooting: 'It Haunts Me' |url= http://ktla.com/2018/02/16/it-haunts-me-student-describes-hearing-her-teacher-being-fatally-shot-in-florida-school-shooting/ |publisher=KTLA |location=Los Angeles, California |access-date=February 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180216221120/http://ktla.com/2018/02/16/it-haunts-me-student-describes-hearing-her-teacher-being-fatally-shot-in-florida-school-shooting/ |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }}{{cite news |last1=Dusenbury |first1=Wells |last2=Diaz |first2=Johnny |title=Scott Beigel, Florida school shooting victim: A hero teacher who saved students was among 17 deaths in Parkland |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-reg-florida-school-shooting-scott-beigel-obit-20180215-story.html |work=Sun-Sentinel |access-date=February 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180216000127/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-reg-florida-school-shooting-scott-beigel-obit-20180215-story.html |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }} Aaron Feis, an assistant football coach and security guard, was killed as he entered the building in response to reports of the ongoing shooting.{{cite news |last1=Chuck |first1=Elizabeth |title=Parkland school shooting: Football coach Aaron Feis died shielding students |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/parkland-school-shooting-hero-football-coach-aaron-feis-died-shielding-n848311 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=February 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217041841/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/parkland-school-shooting-hero-football-coach-aaron-feis-died-shielding-n848311 |archive-date=February 17, 2018 }} Chris Hixon, the school's athletic director, was killed as he ran toward the sound of the gunfire and tried to help fleeing students.{{cite news |last1=Harris |first1=Chris |title=Wife of Florida School Shooting Hero Knew Husband Would Run Toward Gunfire: 'I'm Beyond Proud' |url=http://people.com/crime/florida-school-shooting-chris-hixon-wife-speaks-out/ |work=People |access-date=February 17, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217001035/http://people.com/crime/florida-school-shooting-chris-hixon-wife-speaks-out/ |archive-date=February 17, 2018 }}
Student Peter Wang was last seen in his Junior Reserve Officers' Training Corps (JROTC) uniform, holding doors open so others could get out more quickly; Wang was unable to flee with the students when Cruz appeared and fatally shot him. Commentators commended his actions and described him as a hero. A White House petition was circulated, calling for him to be buried with full military honors.{{cite news |last=Hussain |first=Selima |url=http://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Petition-JROTC-Cadet-Killed-In-Stoneman-Shooting-Deserves-Full-Honors-Military-Burial-474417123.html |title=Petition: JROTC Cadet Killed In Stoneman Shooting Deserves Full Honors Military Burial |publisher=WTVJ |location=Miami, Florida |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220152020/https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Petition-JROTC-Cadet-Killed-In-Stoneman-Shooting-Deserves-Full-Honors-Military-Burial-474417123.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last=Swift |first=Tim |url=https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/friends-petition-for-military-funeral-for-stoneman-douglas-student-hailed-as-hero |title=Friends petition for military funeral for Stoneman Douglas student hailed as hero |publisher=WPLG |location=Miami, Florida |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220092300/https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/friends-petition-for-military-funeral-for-stoneman-douglas-student-hailed-as-hero |url-status=live }} At their respective funerals, Wang, Alaina Petty, and Martin Duque were all posthumously honored by the U.S. Army with the ROTC Medal for Heroism, and Wang was buried in his JROTC Blues uniform. On {{nowrap|February 20}}, he was given a rare posthumous admission to the United States Military Academy.{{cite news |last1=Tavss |first1=Jeff |title=Parkland cadet victims to receive JROTC heroism medals |url=https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/parkland-cadet-victims-to-receive-jrotc-heroism-medals |access-date=February 20, 2018 |publisher=WPLG |location=Miami, Florida |date=February 20, 2018 |archive-date=February 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221100750/https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/parkland-cadet-victims-to-receive-jrotc-heroism-medals |url-status=live }}
Alyssa Alhadeff was the captain of the Parkland Soccer Club. On {{nowrap|March 7}}, 2018—nearly three weeks after the shooting—she was honored by the United States women's national soccer team prior to a game in Orlando. Her teammates and family were invited to the game and presented with official jerseys that featured her name.{{cite news |last1=Hays |first1=Graham |title=For grieving family and friends of Alyssa Alhadeff, U.S. women's soccer provides joyous interlude |url=https://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/story/_/id/22681814/for-grieving-family-friends-alyssa-alhadeff-us-women-national-soccer-team-provides-joyous-interlude |access-date=March 8, 2018 |publisher=ESPN |location=Orlando, Florida |date=March 8, 2018 |archive-date=March 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309092746/http://www.espn.com/espnw/sports/article/22681814/for-grieving-family-friends-alyssa-alhadeff-us-women-national-soccer-team-provides-joyous-interlude |url-status=live }}
Meadow Pollack was a senior who was shot four times; upon being initially wounded seconds after the perpetrator had fatally shot Scott Beigel, Pollack crawled toward a classroom door, where a 14-year-old freshman named Cara Loughran—also wounded in the perpetrator's salvo—had also sought refuge. Pollack attempted to shield Loughran with her own body, although approximately thirty-nine seconds after both girls had been wounded, the perpetrator located Pollack and Loughran and discharged his weapon five more times—killing both girls.{{Cite news |url=https://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/local/parkland-shooting-hair-club-founder-helps-father-passionate-pitch/1jRs2WyTzebBJeoSLfGieI/ |title=Parkland shooting: Hair Club founder helps a father's passionate pitch |work=The Palm Beach Post |access-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-date=May 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180502164939/https://www.mypalmbeachpost.com/news/local/parkland-shooting-hair-club-founder-helps-father-passionate-pitch/1jRs2WyTzebBJeoSLfGieI/ |url-status=live }}
= Injuries and survivors =
File:Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel visits Parkland shooting survivor Anthony Borges in the hospital on Feb. 18, 2018.jpg |first=John |last=Bacon |date=February 19, 2018 |access-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301165624/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation/2018/02/19/hero-teen-gets-hospital-visit-broward-sheriff/350456002/ |url-status=live }}]]
Sixteen students and two teachers were wounded in the shooting. The last victim to remain hospitalized, {{nowrap|15-year-old}} Anthony Borges, was discharged from hospital on {{nowrap|April 4}}.{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/04/599442268/i-feel-good-final-parkland-shooting-survivor-released-from-hospital |title='I Feel Good': Final Parkland Shooting Survivor Released From Hospital |last=Held |first=Amy |date=April 4, 2018 |work=NPR |access-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-date=October 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211020105224/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/04/599442268/i-feel-good-final-parkland-shooting-survivor-released-from-hospital |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/10/school-shooting-survivors.html/ |title=The Class of 1946–2018: Twenty-seven school-shooting survivors bear their scars, and bear witness |last1=Soule |first1=Jared |last2=Schonbek |first2=Amelia |date=October 28, 2018 |work=New York |access-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-date=August 11, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210811044543/https://nymag.com/intelligencer/2018/10/school-shooting-survivors.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |title=Alumnus 'Unsung Hero' of School Shooting {{!}} Northern Today |url=https://news.nmu.edu/alumnus-unsung-hero-school-shooting |access-date=2025-03-06 |website=news.nmu.edu}} Dubbed "the real Iron Man", Borges was shot five times after he used his body to barricade the door of a classroom where twenty students were inside.{{cite news |publisher=CNN |date=April 4, 2018 |first1=Eric |last1=Levenson |first2=Jennifer |last2=Henderson |title=Final Parkland shooting survivor released from the hospital |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/04/us/parkland-shooting-survivor-hospital/index.html |access-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406163959/https://www.cnn.com/2018/04/04/us/parkland-shooting-survivor-hospital/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |work=Vice News |date=April 4, 2018 |first=Alex |last=Lubben |title=Parkland "hero" who took 5 bullets for his friends is finally out of the hospital |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/parkland-hero-who-took-5-bullets-for-his-friends-is-finally-out-of-the-hospital/ |access-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406163659/https://news.vice.com/en_ca/article/gymjz3/parkland-hero-who-took-5-bullets-for-his-friends-is-finally-out-of-the-hospital |url-status=live }} Upon his release, Borges issued a statement that criticized the actions of Broward Sheriff's deputies, Sheriff Scott Israel, and School Superintendent Robert Runcie. His family has filed notice of its intent to sue the school district for personal injury to cover costs related to his recovery.{{Cite news |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-hero-parents-20180405-story.html |title=Parkland shooting victim Anthony Borges criticizes Sheriff's Office and School District |last=Fleshler |first=David |date=April 6, 2018 |work=Sun-Sentinel |access-date=April 7, 2018 |archive-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406230152/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-hero-parents-20180405-story.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/04/06/florida-school-shooting-hero-blames-sheriff-superintendent/ |title='Both Of You Failed Us': Florida School Shooting Hero Blames Sheriff, Superintendent |date=April 6, 2018 |publisher=WFOR-TV |location=Miami, Florida |access-date=April 7, 2018 |archive-date=April 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407042042/http://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/04/06/florida-school-shooting-hero-blames-sheriff-superintendent/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Attorney-for-Anthony-Borges-Stoneman-Douglas-Shooting-Hero-to-Speak-479013903.html |title=Anthony Borges, Stoneman Douglas Shooting Hero, Calls Out Broward Sheriff |date=April 6, 2018 |publisher=WTVJ |location=Miami, Florida |access-date=April 7, 2018 |archive-date=April 8, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180408073547/https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/Attorney-for-Anthony-Borges-Stoneman-Douglas-Shooting-Hero-to-Speak-479013903.html |url-status=live }} Borges was honored with a humanitarian award at the 2018 BET Awards.{{cite news |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-reg-parkland-student-anthony-borges-bet-awards-20180625-story.html |title=Parkland student Anthony Borges honored at BET Awards |last=Diaz |first=Johnny |date=June 25, 2018 |work=Sun Sentinel |access-date=February 26, 2021 |archive-date=October 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211002091650/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-reg-parkland-student-anthony-borges-bet-awards-20180625-story.html |url-status=live }}
Survivors of the shooting, teachers and students alike, have struggled with survivor's guilt and other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).{{cite web|url=https://www.nbcwashington.com/multimedia/MSD-Teachers-Reflect-1-Year-After-Shooting_Miami-505690652.html|title=MSD Teachers Reflect 1 Year After Shooting|website=NBC4 Washington|access-date=March 23, 2019|archive-date=March 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323004050/https://www.nbcwashington.com/multimedia/MSD-Teachers-Reflect-1-Year-After-Shooting_Miami-505690652.html|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://people.com/crime/parkland-student-maia-hebron-18-survivor-guilt/|title=Parkland Student Maia Hebron, 18, on Survivor's Guilt: 'It's Unreal ... to Keep On Living'|website=People|access-date=March 23, 2019|archive-date=March 23, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323004048/https://people.com/crime/parkland-student-maia-hebron-18-survivor-guilt/|url-status=live}} On March 17, 2019, thirteen months after the shooting, 19-year-old Sydney Aiello, who survived and whose friend Meadow Pollack had been killed during the shooting, died by suicide after struggling to attend college. She was terrified of being in a classroom and also had been treated for survivor's guilt and PTSD.{{cite news |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/parkland-shooting-survivor-sydney-aiello-takes-her-own-life/ |title=Parkland shooting survivor Sydney Aiello takes her own life |publisher=CBS News |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-date=March 23, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323012406/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/parkland-shooting-survivor-sydney-aiello-takes-her-own-life/ |url-status=live}}{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/survivor-parkland-school-shooting-sydney-aiello-kills-herself-n986266 |title=Sydney Aiello, a Parkland school shooting survivor, kills herself |publisher=NBC News |access-date=February 5, 2022 |archive-date=March 22, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190322233822/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/survivor-parkland-school-shooting-sydney-aiello-kills-herself-n986266 |url-status=live}} Less than one week later, on March 23, 2019, 16-year-old Calvin Desir, another survivor of the shooting, also died by suicide.{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/24/us/parkland-suicide-marjory-stoneman-douglas.html |title=Parkland Grieves Again After Two Apparent Teenage Suicides |work=The New York Times |date=March 24, 2019 |access-date=March 24, 2019 |first=Patricia |last=Mazzei |archive-date=March 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190324180708/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/03/24/us/parkland-suicide-marjory-stoneman-douglas.html |url-status=live}}
Teacher Ivy Schamis was presented with USC Shoah Foundation's inaugural Stronger Than Hate Educator Award in 2019. During her acceptance speech at the award ceremony, Schamis honored victims Nicholas Dworet and Helena Ramsay, who died in her class during the shooting.
Perpetrator
File:Nikolas Cruz.pngNikolas Jacob Cruz was born on September 24, 1998, in Margate, Florida,{{cite news |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-life-20180220-story.html |title=School shooter Nikolas Cruz: A lost and lonely killer |first1=Brittany |last1=Wallman |first2=Paula |last2=McMahon |first3=Megan |last3=O'Matz |first4=Susannah |last4=Bryan |work=Sun-Sentinel |access-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-date=December 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181215223631/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-life-20180220-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Carol Marbin |last1=Miller |first2=Kyra |last2=Gurney |title=Parkland shooter always in trouble, never expelled. Could school system have done more? |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article201216104.html |access-date=March 1, 2018 |work=Miami Herald |date=February 20, 2018 |quote=Contrary to early reports, Cruz was never expelled from Broward schools. Legally, he couldn't be. Under federal law, Nikolas Cruz had a right to a 'free and appropriate' education at a public school near him. |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303040902/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/article201216104.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url= http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article200094039.html |title=17 dead, 15 wounded after expelled student shoots up Stoneman Douglas High in Broward |last1=Teproff |first1=Carli |date=February 14, 2018 |work=Miami Herald |access-date=February 15, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180214223127/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/education/article200094039.html |archive-date= February 14, 2018 |url-status=live |last2=Herrera |first2=Chabeli |last3=Smiley |first3=David }} and was adopted at birth by Lynda and Roger Cruz.{{Cite news |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-life-20180220-story.html |title=School shooter Nikolas Cruz: An unending saga of disturbed behavior and red flags |date=February 24, 2018 |first1=Brittany |last1=Wallman |first2=Paula |last2=McMahon |first3=Megan |last3=O'Matz |first4=Susannah |last4=Bryan |work=Sun-Sentinel |access-date=February 26, 2018 |archive-date=February 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225230037/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-life-20180220-story.html |url-status=live }} Both his adoptive parents died: Roger at age 67 on August 11, 2004, and Lynda at age 68 on November 1, 2017, leaving Cruz orphaned three months before the shooting.{{cite news |first1=Bill |last1=Hutchinson |first2=James |last2=Hill |title=School shooting suspect could lose public defender after reports of $800K inheritance |date=February 21, 2018 |access-date=February 26, 2018 |publisher=ABC News |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/school-shooting-suspect-lose-public-defender-reports-800k/story?id=53217992 |archive-date=February 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225144306/http://abcnews.go.com/US/school-shooting-suspect-lose-public-defender-reports-800k/story?id=53217992 |url-status=live }}{{Cite news|date=March 10, 2018|title=Red flags: The troubled path of accused Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/national/timeline-parkland-shooter-nikolas-cruz/|access-date=May 28, 2021|archive-date=October 13, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211013010008/https://www.washingtonpost.com/graphics/2018/national/timeline-parkland-shooter-nikolas-cruz/|url-status=live}} Since his mother's death, he had been living with relatives and friends.{{cite news |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-school-shooting-cruz-20180214-story.html |title=Nikolas Cruz: Troubled suspect had been expelled from Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School |work=Sun-Sentinel |first1=Stephen |last1=Hobbs |first2=Paula |last2=McMahon |first3=Anne |last3=Geggis |first4=Scott |last4=Travis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215045458/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-school-shooting-cruz-20180214-story.html |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }} At the time of the shooting, he was enrolled in a GED program and employed at a local Dollar Tree.{{cite news |publisher=CNN |date=February 16, 2018 |first1=Drew |last1=Griffin |first2=Scott |last2=Glover |first3=Jose |last3=Pagliery |first4=Kyung |last4=Lah |title=From 'broken child' to mass killer |access-date=April 3, 2018 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/16/us/shooter-profile-invs/index.html |archive-date=April 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180403173812/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/16/us/shooter-profile-invs/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 15, 2018 |first1=William |last1=Wan |first2=Kevin |last2=Sullivan |first3=David |last3=Weingrad |first4=Mark |last4=Berman |title=Florida shooting suspect Nikolas Cruz: Guns, depression and a life in trouble |access-date=April 3, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/15/florida-shooting-suspect-nikolas-cruz-guns-depression-and-a-life-in-free-fall/ |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402112141/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/15/florida-shooting-suspect-nikolas-cruz-guns-depression-and-a-life-in-free-fall/ |url-status=live }}
Cruz had behavioral issues since preschool,{{cite web | url=https://www.local10.com/news/local/2022/08/23/parkland-school-shooters-defense-teacher-says-animal-fantasy-behaviors-were-problem-in-pre-k/ | title=Parkland school shooter's defense: Teacher says 'animal fantasy' behaviors were problem in pre-K | date=August 23, 2022 }} and was eligible for special education services alongside a tailor-made Individualized Education Program. According to The Washington Post he was "entrenched in the process for getting students help rather than referring them to law enforcement".{{cite news |first1=Tim |last1=Craig |first2=Emma |last2=Brown |first3=Sarah |last3=Larimer |first4=Moriah |last4=Balingit |title=Teachers say Florida suspect's problems started in middle school, and the system tried to help him |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/teachers-say-florida-shooters-problems-started-in-middle-school-and-the-system-tried-to-help-him/2018/02/18/cdff7aa6-1413-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html |access-date=March 1, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 18, 2018 |quote=interviews with teachers, administrators and those who knew Cruz – along with other records and accounts – show that he was well-known to school and mental health authorities and was entrenched in the process for getting students help rather than referring them to law enforcement. |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228080446/https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/education/teachers-say-florida-shooters-problems-started-in-middle-school-and-the-system-tried-to-help-him/2018/02/18/cdff7aa6-1413-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html |url-status=live }} He was transferred between schools six times in three years in an effort to deal with these problems.{{cite news |first=Katie |last=Zezima |date=March 24, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/anti-gun-marches-planned-for-cities-throughout-the-us-world/2018/03/24/a7365514-2f59-11e8-b0b0-f706877db618_story.html |title='People need to listen to us': Demonstrators gather around the U.S. to protest gun violence |access-date=March 25, 2018 |archive-date=March 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180324202109/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/anti-gun-marches-planned-for-cities-throughout-the-us-world/2018/03/24/a7365514-2f59-11e8-b0b0-f706877db618_story.html |url-status=live }} Cruz returned to Stoneman Douglas High School two years later but was expelled in 2017 for disciplinary reasons. As he could not be expelled from the Broward County School system completely, he was transferred to alternative placement. A former classmate said Cruz had anger management issues and often joked about guns and gun violence, which included threats of shooting up establishments.{{cite news |title='I'm sick to my stomach': 17 dead in Florida high school shooting; former student in custody |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/02/14/injuries-reported-after-shooting-florida-high-school/338217002/ |date=February 14, 2018 |first1=Christal |last1=Hayes |first2=Emily |last2=Bohatch |work=USA Today |access-date=February 15, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180215055404/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/02/14/injuries-reported-after-shooting-florida-high-school/338217002/ |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }}
The Florida Department of Children and Families investigated him in September 2016 for Snapchat posts in which he cut both his arms and said he planned to buy a gun. At this time, a school resource officer suggested{{cite news |first=Eli |last=Saslow |title='It was my job, and I didn't find him': Stoneman Douglas resource officer remains haunted by massacre |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/it-was-my-job-and-i-didnt-find-him-stoneman-douglas-resource-officer-remains-haunted-by-massacre/2018/06/04/796f1c16-679d-11e8-9e38-24e693b38637_story.html |access-date=June 5, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=June 4, 2018 |quote=He had even suggested that counselors use Florida's Baker Act to have Cruz involuntarily committed, but a health expert wrote that Cruz "did not meet criteria for further assessment." |archive-date=June 5, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180605011810/https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/it-was-my-job-and-i-didnt-find-him-stoneman-douglas-resource-officer-remains-haunted-by-massacre/2018/06/04/796f1c16-679d-11e8-9e38-24e693b38637_story.html |url-status=live }} he undergo an involuntary psychiatric examination under the provisions of the Baker Act. Two guidance counselors agreed, but a mental institution did not.{{cite news |title=Stoneman Douglas' resource officer recommended committing Nikolas Cruz for mental health issues |url=http://fox43.com/2018/03/19/stoneman-douglas-resource-officer-recommended-committing-nikolas-cruz-for-mental-health-issues/ |access-date=March 20, 2018 |publisher=WPMT |location=York, Pennsylvania |agency=CNN Wire |date=March 19, 2018 |quote=[a] school resource officer [...] wanted to use the Baker Act on {{nowrap|September 28}}, 2016, after the then-student allegedly made threats against himself and others. Although two guidance counselors initially agreed with [the officer], two mental health professionals from Henderson Behavioral Health said Cruz didn't meet the criteria |archive-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180320054342/http://fox43.com/2018/03/19/stoneman-douglas-resource-officer-recommended-committing-nikolas-cruz-for-mental-health-issues/ |url-status=live }} State investigators reported he had depression, autism, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). However, psychologist Frederick M. Kravitz later testified that Cruz was never diagnosed with autism.{{cite web | url=https://www.local10.com/news/local/2022/08/24/watch-live-parkland-school-shooters-defense-to-continue-calling-witnesses/ | title=Psychologist says Parkland school shooter was a child who 'stuck out like a sore thumb' | date=August 24, 2022 }} In their assessment, they concluded he was "at low risk of harming himself or others".{{cite news |last1=Burch |first1=Audra D. S. |last2=Robles |first2=Frances |last3=Mazzei |first3=Patricia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/us/nikolas-cruz-florida-shooting.html |title=Florida Agency Investigated Nikolas Cruz After Violent Social Media Posts |date=February 17, 2018 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217225800/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/us/nikolas-cruz-florida-shooting.html |url-status=live }} He had previously received mental health treatment, but had not received treatment in the year leading up to the shooting.{{Cite news |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/14/us/nikolas-cruz-florida-shooting-suspect/index.html |title=Social media paints picture of racist 'professional school shooter' |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Eliott C. |date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216085130/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/14/us/nikolas-cruz-florida-shooting-suspect/index.html |archive-date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live |publisher=CNN |last2=Park |first2=Madison }}
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel described Cruz's online profiles and accounts as "very, very disturbing". They contained pictures and posts of him with a variety of weapons, including long knives, a shotgun, a pistol, and a BB gun. Police said that he held "extremist" views; social media accounts that were thought to be linked to him contained anti-black and anti-Muslim slurs. Items recovered by police at the scene included gun magazines with swastikas carved in them.{{cite news |work=Daily News |location=New York |date=February 27, 2018 |first=Janon |last=Fisher |title=Florida school gunman carved swastikas into rifle magazines, had 180 rounds remaining |access-date=March 22, 2018 |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/florida-school-gunman-carved-swastikas-rifle-magazines-article-1.3845630 |archive-date=March 23, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180323092643/http://www.nydailynews.com/news/national/florida-school-gunman-carved-swastikas-rifle-magazines-article-1.3845630 |url-status=live }}
In February 2017, Cruz legally purchased an AR-15-style semi-automatic rifle from a Coral Springs gun store, after having passed the required background check. Prior to the purchase he had similarly obtained several other firearms, including at least one shotgun and several other rifles.{{Cite web |last1=Date |first1=Jack |last2=Margolin |first2=Josh |title=Florida school shooting suspect had access to 10 firearms, including AK-47 variant |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-school-shooting-suspect-access-10-firearms-including/story?id=53198625 |access-date=March 29, 2021 |website=ABC News |language=en |archive-date=October 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211022133520/https://abcnews.go.com/US/florida-school-shooting-suspect-access-10-firearms-including/story?id=53198625 |url-status=live }} At the time of the shooting, in Florida, it was legal for people as young as 18 to purchase guns from federally licensed dealers, including the rifle allegedly used in the shooting. The minimum age requirement has since been raised to 21.{{cite news |first=Chabeli |last=Herrera |url= http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article200434884.html |title=Gun shop owners distraught over firearm sold to teen now held in school massacre |work=Miami Herald |date=February 15, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180217015852/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article200434884.html |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |last1=Detman |first1=Gary |title=Gov. Scott signs Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act |url=https://cbs12.com/news/local/suspected-school-gunman-in-court-for-bond-hearin |website=WPEC |access-date=26 May 2022 |language=en |date=9 March 2018}}
= Earlier warnings to law enforcement =
Sheriff Scott Israel said that his office received 23 calls about Cruz during the previous decade, but this figure is in dispute. CNN used a public records request to obtain a sheriff's office log, which showed that from 2008 to 2017, at least 45 calls were made in reference to Cruz, his brother, or the family home.{{cite news |last1=Devine |first1=Curt |last2=Pagliery |first2=Jose |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/27/us/parkland-shooter-cruz-sheriff-calls-invs/index.html |title=Sheriff says he got 23 calls about shooter's family, but records show more |publisher=CNN |date=February 27, 2018 |access-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303041259/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/27/us/parkland-shooter-cruz-sheriff-calls-invs/index.html |url-status=live }} On {{nowrap|February 5}}, 2016, the calls included an anonymous tip that Cruz had threatened to shoot up the school, and a tip on {{nowrap|November 30}}, 2017, that he might be a "school shooter in the making" and that he collected knives and guns. On {{nowrap|September 23}}, 2016, a peer counselor notified the school resource officer of his suicide attempt and intent to buy a gun, and the school indicated it would do a "threat assessment".{{cite news |work=Miami Herald |date=February 22, 2018 |first=Nicholas |last=Nehamas |title='School shooter in the making': All the times authorities were warned about Nikolas Cruz |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article201684874.html |access-date=February 23, 2018 |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110105508/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article201684874.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |first1=Stephen |last1=Hobbs |first2=Scott |last2=Travis |first3=Lisa J. |last3=Huriash |title=Stoneman Douglas cop resigns; sheriff says he should have 'killed the killer' |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-shooting-sro-20180222-story.html |access-date=February 23, 2018 |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=February 23, 2018 |quote=deputies were under review for how they handled two calls, including the one from November where the caller also said Cruz "was collecting guns and knives," according to documents released by the sheriff's office. A deputy followed up with the caller but did not create a report documenting it. A separate incident, from February 2016, was also under review. The sheriff's office said a deputy responded to a tip that Cruz planned to shoot up a school and that the information was forwarded to Peterson, the school resource officer. |archive-date=January 10, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110105428/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-shooting-sro-20180222-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |work=USA Today |date=February 23, 2018 |first1=Brett |last1=Murphy |first2=Maria |last2=Perez |title=Florida school shooting: Sheriff got 18 calls about Nikolas Cruz's violence, threats, guns |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/23/florida-school-shooting-sheriff-got-18-calls-cruzs-violence-threats-guns/366165002/ |access-date=February 23, 2018 |archive-date=January 9, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210109053357/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/23/florida-school-shooting-sheriff-got-18-calls-cruzs-violence-threats-guns/366165002/ |url-status=live }}
On {{nowrap|September 24}}, 2017, a person with the username "nikolas cruz" posted a comment to a YouTube video that read, "Im {{sic}} going to be a professional school shooter." The person who uploaded the video to YouTube reported the comment to the FBI. According to agent Robert Lasky, the agency conducted database reviews but was unable to track down the individual who made the threatening comment.{{cite news |last1=Goldman |first1=Adam |last2=Mazzei |first2=Patricia |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/us/politics/nikolas-cruz-youtube-comment-fbi.html |title=YouTube Comment Seen as Early Warning in Shooting Left Little for F.B.I. to Investigate |date=February 15, 2018 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180216031027/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/15/us/politics/nikolas-cruz-youtube-comment-fbi.html |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.buzzfeed.com/briannasacks/the-fbi-was-warned-about-a-school-shooting-threat-from |title=The FBI Was Warned About A School Shooting Threat From A YouTube User Named Nikolas Cruz in September |date=February 15, 2018 |first=Brianna |last=Sacks |publisher=BuzzFeed |access-date=February 15, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215122128/https://www.buzzfeed.com/briannasacks/the-fbi-was-warned-about-a-school-shooting-threat-from |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }}
On {{nowrap|January 5}}, 2018, less than one month before the shooting, the FBI received a tip on its Public Access Line from a person who was close to Cruz. On {{nowrap|February 16}}, two days after the shooting, the agency released a statement that detailed this information. According to the statement, "The caller provided information about Cruz's gun ownership, desire to kill people, erratic behavior, and disturbing social media posts, as well as the potential of him conducting a school shooting." After conducting an investigation, the FBI said the tip line did not follow protocol when the information was not forwarded to the Miami Field Office, where investigative steps would have been taken.{{cite news |first1=Katie |last1=Benner |first2=Patricia |last2=Mazzei |first3=Adam |last3=Goldman |title=F.B.I. Was Warned of Florida Suspect's Desire to Kill but Did Not Act |date=February 16, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/fbi-nikolas-cruz-shooting.html |archive-date=January 14, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210114160959/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/fbi-nikolas-cruz-shooting.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=FBI Statement on the Shooting in Parkland, Florida |url=https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-statement-on-the-shooting-in-parkland-florida |publisher=Federal Bureau of Investigation |date=February 16, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180217004949/https://www.fbi.gov/news/pressrel/press-releases/fbi-statement-on-the-shooting-in-parkland-florida |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |url-status=live}} The FBI opened a probe into the tip line's operations.{{cite news |last1=Wilber |first1=Del Quentin |last2=Viswanatha |first2=Aruna |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/fbi-probes-tip-line-operations-after-missed-florida-shooting-warning-1519170464 |title=FBI Probes Tip-Line Operations After Missed Florida-Shooting Warning |date=February 20, 2018 |work=The Wall Street Journal |access-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-date=December 14, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201214040822/https://www.wsj.com/articles/fbi-probes-tip-line-operations-after-missed-florida-shooting-warning-1519170464 |url-status=live }}{{subscription required}}
The lack of response by Israel and other members of the Broward County Sheriff's Office to the numerous red flags and warnings about Cruz has been the subject of scrutiny.{{cite news |publisher=NPR |date=February 26, 2018 |first=Laurel |last=Wamsley |title=Broward Sheriff Under Scrutiny For Handling Of Parkland Shooting |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/26/588900401/broward-sheriff-under-scrutiny-for-handling-of-parkland-shooting |access-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-date=March 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321130420/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/26/588900401/broward-sheriff-under-scrutiny-for-handling-of-parkland-shooting |url-status=live }} In the days following the shooting, calls for Israel’s resignation intensified as more information that alluded to the department's inaction was revealed.{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 26, 2018 |first1=Michael |last1=Scherer |first2=Aaron C. |last2=Davis |first3=Mark |last3=Berman |title=Florida sheriff faces intensifying political scrutiny, calls to resign in wake of school shooting |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/florida-sheriff-faces-intensifying-political-scrutiny-calls-to-resign-in-wake-of-school-shooting/2018/02/26/8bb12a74-1b2e-11e8-b2d9-08e748f892c0_story.html |access-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-date=March 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180318122418/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/florida-sheriff-faces-intensifying-political-scrutiny-calls-to-resign-in-wake-of-school-shooting/2018/02/26/8bb12a74-1b2e-11e8-b2d9-08e748f892c0_story.html |url-status=live }} Israel refused to resign in the immediate aftermath of the shooting, saying during an interview with CNN, "I've given amazing leadership to this agency" while denying responsibility for the actions of his deputies.{{cite news |work=The New York Times |date=February 25, 2018 |first=Patricia |last=Mazzei |title=Under Pressure, Florida Sheriff Defends 'Amazing Leadership' |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/25/us/sheriff-parkland-shooting.html |access-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-date=March 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321132211/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/25/us/sheriff-parkland-shooting.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |work=New York |date=February 25, 2018 |first=Benjamin |last=Hart |title=Broward County Sheriff Brags About 'Amazing Leadership' in Wake of School-Shooting Failures |url=https://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/02/broward-county-sheriff-boasts-of-amazing-leadership.html |access-date=February 20, 2020 |archive-date=June 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180629235946/http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2018/02/broward-county-sheriff-boasts-of-amazing-leadership.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |work=Forbes |date=March 7, 2018 |first=Jeff |last=Boss |title=This Is What 'Amazing Leadership' Doesn't Look Like |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffboss/2018/03/07/this-is-what-amazing-leadership-doesnt-look-like/ |access-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-date=March 22, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180322082850/https://www.forbes.com/sites/jeffboss/2018/03/07/this-is-what-amazing-leadership-doesnt-look-like/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |work=Miami Herald |date=February 28, 2018 |first1=David |last1=Smiley |first2=Nicholas |last2=Nehamas |first3=Charles |last3=Rabin |title=As Broward sheriff touts 'amazing leadership,' a low grumble builds in the ranks |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article202758764.html |access-date=March 20, 2018 |archive-date=March 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321130259/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article202758764.html |url-status=live }} This culminated in Governor Ron DeSantis removing Israel from his role as Sheriff and replacing him with Gregory Tony.
Legal proceedings
= Criminal case =
{{further|Nikolas Cruz#Legal proceedings}}
On October 20, 2021, Cruz pleaded guilty to all charges and apologized for his crimes. The prosecution sought the death penalty, and a four-month death penalty trial was expected to commence in January 2022.{{cite news|url=https://apnews.com/article/parkland-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-guilty-plea-1bad323e22fe4517cf851395b252bd4b|title=Nikolas Cruz pleads guilty to 2018 Parkland school massacre|first=Terry|last=Spencer|work=AP NEWS|date=October 20, 2021|access-date=October 20, 2021|archive-date=November 9, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211109064458/https://apnews.com/article/parkland-school-shooting-nikolas-cruz-guilty-plea-1bad323e22fe4517cf851395b252bd4b|url-status=live}} After numerous delays, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial commenced on July 18, 2022. On October 13, 2022, a jury unanimously agreed that Cruz was eligible for the death penalty, but deadlocked on whether it should be imposed, resulting in a recommendation to sentence him to life imprisonment without the possibility of parole. On November 2, 2022, Cruz was sentenced to life without parole, in accordance with a Florida law requiring the court not to depart from the jury's recommendation. The unanimity required to impose the death penalty has since been overturned by a bill signed by Governor DeSantis, partly as a result of Cruz's sentencing.{{cite web |last1=Izaguirre |first1=Anthony |title=Florida eases path for death penalty after Parkland school shooter verdict |url=https://www.wptv.com/news/state/florida-eases-path-for-death-penalty-after-parkland-school-shooter-verdict |publisher=WPTV |access-date=August 17, 2023 |date=April 20, 2023}}
= Civil lawsuits =
On May 23, 2018, the parents of victims Jaime Guttenberg and Alex Schachter sued firearm manufacturer American Outdoor Brands Corporation, formerly known as Smith & Wesson, the manufacturer of the rifle used by Cruz, and distributor Sunrise Tactical Supply, the retailer who sold Cruz the rifle, claiming damages due to "the defendant's complicity in the entirely foreseeable, deadly use of the assault-style weapons that they place on the market".{{cite news |last=Shayanian |first=Sara |date=May 24, 2018 |title=Families of Parkland victims sue maker, seller of gun used in shooting |work=United Press International |url=https://www.upi.com/Families-of-Parkland-victims-sue-maker-seller-of-gun-used-in-shooting/1141527164290/ |url-status=live |access-date=July 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180731213145/https://www.upi.com/Families-of-Parkland-victims-sue-maker-seller-of-gun-used-in-shooting/1141527164290/ |archive-date=July 31, 2018}}
Fifteen survivors sued the county, sheriff, and school officials for failing to protect them, contending that the government's inadequate response to the shooting violated their Fourteenth Amendment right to due process. This lawsuit was dismissed in December 2018, with the judge citing prior case law in ruling that the government did not have a duty to protect the defendants from the actions of the shooter.{{cite news |date=December 18, 2018 |title=Judge rejects Parkland lawsuit, saying failure to stop shooting didn't violate 14th Amendment rights |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/18/us/florida-parkland-shooting-lawsuit/index.html |url-status=live |access-date=March 22, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200604210526/https://www.cnn.com/2018/12/18/us/florida-parkland-shooting-lawsuit/index.html |archive-date=June 4, 2020}}
In October 2021, the families of the victims of the shooting were awarded a $25 million settlement from Broward County School District, after a civil lawsuit was filed by the families of the 52 victims alleging the school district's negligence was to blame. The money will be paid in three installments and settles 52 of the 53 lawsuits filed against the school district for negligence, although the specified amounts for each family were not released.{{Cite web |last=Wright |first=Christian De La Rosa, Madeleine |date=2021-10-18 |title=Parkland shooting victims' families, Broward schools reach $25M settlement |url=https://www.local10.com/news/local/2021/10/18/parkland-shooting-victims-families-broward-schools-reach-25m-settlement/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102080936/https://www.local10.com/news/local/2021/10/18/parkland-shooting-victims-families-broward-schools-reach-25m-settlement/ |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |access-date=2021-10-19 |website=WPLG |language=en}}{{Cite news |last=Prang |first=Allison |date=2021-10-19 |title=Parkland School Shooting Victims, Families Reach $25 Million Settlement With District |language=en-US |work=The Wall Street Journal |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/parkland-school-shooting-victims-families-reach-25-million-settlement-with-district-11634653500 |url-status=live |access-date=2021-10-19 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211102145656/https://www.wsj.com/articles/parkland-school-shooting-victims-families-reach-25-million-settlement-with-district-11634653500 |archive-date=November 2, 2021 |issn=0099-9660}}
In November 2021 it was announced that the families of the victims had reached a $125 to $130 million settlement with the federal government, due to the FBI's inactivity about tips on Cruz's stated desire to commit a school attack and the weapons cache that he had. The tip had been reported to the FBI tip line a month prior to the shooting and detailed Cruz's gun ownership, desire to kill others, erratic behavior, and social media posts, and was not followed up on by investigators.{{Cite news |date=2021-11-23 |title=Parkland shooting: Families involved in 2018 attack settle FBI lawsuit |language=en-GB |work=BBC News |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59382871 |url-status=live |access-date=2021-11-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211123193652/https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-59382871 |archive-date=November 23, 2021}}
In June 2024, Cruz settled a civil lawsuit with Anthony Borges granting him rights to Cruz's name so that Cruz cannot grant interviews or make any agreement with film producers or authors without Borges's permission. Borges's lawyer said the objective was to take power and control from Cruz so he cannot inflict further torture on his victims from jail. Cruz also agreed to donate his brain to science.{{cite news |last1=Olmeda |first1=Rafael |title=Parkland school shooter signs away rights to his name. Now, just one survivor owns it |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2024/06/27/parkland-shooting-survivor-owns-name-of-gunman-he-wants-to-prevent-the-convicted-killer-from-profiting/ |work=Sun Sentinel |date=27 June 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240629014147/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/2024/06/27/parkland-shooting-survivor-owns-name-of-gunman-he-wants-to-prevent-the-convicted-killer-from-profiting/ |archive-date=29 June 2024 |url-status=live}}
In August 2024, parents of murdered students Luke Hoyer, Alaina Petty, and Meadow Pollack, each reached $50 million settlements with Cruz while wounded student Maddy Wilford agreed to a $40 million settlement.{{Cite web |date=2024-08-08 |title=Parents of 3 students who died in Parkland massacre, survivor reach large settlement with shooter |url=https://apnews.com/article/parkland-school-shooting-lawsuit-57378f27889dd089a9a024a110b87a87 |access-date=2025-02-11 |website=AP News |language=en}}
Aftermath
File:Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School banner.jpg
On May 30, 2018, prosecutors released three videos that they claimed Cruz had recorded on his cellphone before the shooting. In the videos, Cruz appears to describe his personal feelings, his enthusiasm and plan for the shooting, his hatred of people, and how it would make him notorious.{{cite news|url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-reg-florida-school-shooting-phone-video-release-20180530-story.html|title=Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz brags on cellphone videos, 'I'm going to be the next school shooter'|last1=Olmeda|first1=Rafael|date=May 30, 2018|access-date=May 31, 2018|website=Sun-Sentinel|archive-date=May 30, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530211231/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-reg-florida-school-shooting-phone-video-release-20180530-story.html|url-status=live}}
= School response =
The school district provided grief counseling to students and their families. Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said that funeral and counseling fees would be paid for by the state.{{cite news |first=Richard |last=Gonzales |publisher=NPR |date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2018 |title=Sheriff's Office Reports 17 People Dead in South Florida High School Shooting |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/14/585835311/shooter-and-possible-injuries-reported-at-broward-county-fla-high-school |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215004317/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/14/585835311/shooter-and-possible-injuries-reported-at-broward-county-fla-high-school |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }}
On {{nowrap|February 15}}, police presence was increased at schools in at least two counties in Florida in response to the shooting.{{cite news |first=Amanda |last=Marino |publisher=WFTX-TV |location=Cape Coral, Florida |date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2018 |title=Collier County sheriff, superintendent announce increased security |url=https://www.fox4now.com/news/local-news/collier-county-sheriff-superintendent-announce-increased-security |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030627/https://www.fox4now.com/news/local-news/collier-county-sheriff-superintendent-announce-increased-security |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }}{{cite news |first=Sara |last=Nealeigh |work=The Bradenton Herald |location=Bradenton, Florida |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2018 |title=After mass shooting, more security at Manatee County schools |url=http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article200224334.html |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180216030724/http://www.bradenton.com/news/local/article200224334.html |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }}
On {{nowrap|February 16}}, Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie announced that the building where the shooting took place would be demolished.{{cite news |url= http://www.businessinsider.com/marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-school-freshman-building-torn-down-after-shooting-2018-2 |title=Florida high school building to be torn down after mass shooting |first=Michelle |last=Mark |work=Business Insider |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180217012007/http://www.businessinsider.com/marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-school-freshman-building-torn-down-after-shooting-2018-2|archive-date=February 17, 2018 |date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live}} On October 9, 2020, a replacement building was opened. The building where the shooting took place was ordered not to be demolished until the trial of Cruz ended, as it was declared a crime scene.{{cite news |last1=Baitinger |first1=Brooke |title=New freshman building unveiled at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-ne-stoneman-douglas-new-building-dedication-20201010-opnalrnjbrddfm2pdqafja6zli-story.html |access-date=January 19, 2021 |work=sun-sentinel.com |date=October 9, 2020 |archive-date=January 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125232034/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-ne-stoneman-douglas-new-building-dedication-20201010-opnalrnjbrddfm2pdqafja6zli-story.html |url-status=live }} The building began demolition on June 14, 2024.{{Cite web |last=Sanchez |first=Alaa Elassar, Carlos Suarez, Denise Royal, Ray |date=2024-06-14 |title='A symbol of failure': Demolition of Parkland high school massacre site begins as families of the victims look on |url=https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/14/us/parkland-demolish-stoneman-douglas-high-school-shooting/index.html |access-date=2024-11-20 |website=CNN |language=en}}
On {{nowrap|February 28}}, two weeks after the shooting, Stoneman Douglas reopened to students amid a heavy police presence. School principal Ty Thompson emphasized that the first week back would be focused on healing, with classes ending at 11:40 a.m. through {{nowrap|March 2}}. He tweeted "Remember our focus is on emotional readiness and comfort not curriculum: so there is no need for backpacks. Come ready to start the healing process and #RECLAIMTHENEST."{{cite tweet |user=PrincipalMSD |first=Ty |last=Thompson |date=February 27, 2018 |access-date=March 2, 2018 |title=Looking forward to tomorrow Eagles! Remember our focus is on emotional readiness and comfort not curriculum: so there is no need for backpacks. Come ready to start the healing process and #RECLAIMTHENEST |number=968612320510398464}} Extra counseling and emotional support dogs were provided to students upon their return.{{cite news |first=Jack |last=Healy |work=The New York Times |date=February 28, 2018 |access-date=March 2, 2018 |title=Scared but Resilient, Stoneman Douglas Students Return to Class |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/us/stoneman-douglas-parkland-shooting.html |archive-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301163347/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/28/us/stoneman-douglas-parkland-shooting.html |url-status=live }}
In early April, the school implemented several new safety rules and regulations. The changes included fewer entrances, law enforcement officers at each entrance, identification badges for students and staff, and the requirement that all book bags must be clear plastic. The use of metal detectors was under consideration. Several students criticized the new safety measures as ineffective and intrusive.{{cite news |publisher=NPR |date=April 3, 2018 |first=Alexis |last=Diao |title=Parkland Students Return To School Skeptical Of Clear Backpacks |access-date=April 4, 2018 |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/03/599112587/parkland-students-return-to-school-skeptical-of-clear-backpacks |archive-date=April 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180404063340/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/04/03/599112587/parkland-students-return-to-school-skeptical-of-clear-backpacks |url-status=live }}
On November 30, 2018, the Sun Sentinel reported that Broward County Public Schools, which runs Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, had spent about $185,000 attempting to obscure its role in not preventing the massacre. The district also spent an undisclosed sum on legal opposition to the releasing of records related to the school's treatment of Nikolas Cruz while he was a student, and the school security procedures. A company named CEN received a $60,000 payment to review Cruz's school records and to investigate if the Broward County Public Schools followed the law in its handling of Cruz as a troubled student. The final report omitted various details about the instability of Cruz.{{cite news |last1=Wallman |first1=Brittany |last2=O'Matz |first2=Megan |last3=McMahon |first3=Paula |url=https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-district-secrecy-20181112-story.html |title=Hide, deny, spin, threaten: How the school district tried to mask failures that led to Parkland shooting |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=November 30, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181203145421/https://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-district-secrecy-20181112-story.html |archive-date=December 3, 2018 |access-date=December 3, 2018 }}
== Graduation ceremony ==
The school held its graduation ceremony on June 3, 2018, and diplomas were presented to the families of Nicholas Dworet, Joaquin Oliver, Meadow Pollack, and Carmen Schentrup, four seniors who were killed in the attack.{{Cite news|url=http://time.com/5299679/majory-stoneman-douglas-2018-graduation/|title='Remember Those Not With Us.' A Somber Graduation at Parkland High School 4 Months After Shooting|last=Spencer|first=Terry|date=June 3, 2018|magazine=Time|archive-date=June 3, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180603225735/http://time.com/5299679/majory-stoneman-douglas-2018-graduation/|url-status=dead}} Stoneman Douglas principal Ty Thompson began by dedicating the ceremony to "those not with us".{{Cite news|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/parkland-high-school-offer-posthumous-diplomas-1st-graduation/story?id=55616932|title=Parkland high school honors 'those not with us' at first graduation since 17 killed|last1=Winsor|first1=Morgan|date=June 4, 2018|access-date=June 4, 2018|last2=Nestel|first2=M.L.|website=ABC News|archive-date=June 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604015246/https://abcnews.go.com/US/parkland-high-school-offer-posthumous-diplomas-1st-graduation/story?id=55616932|url-status=live}} Many graduates wore sashes that were emblazoned with #MSDStrong, or decorated their caps with references to the Never Again movement, while some dedicated their caps to their late classmates. Families of the victims also made statements; the mother of Joaquin Oliver accepted his diploma wearing a shirt saying "This should be my son".{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/03/us/symbols-parkland-graduation/index.html|title=Silent forms of protest make bold statements at Parkland graduation|last1=Grinberg|first1=Emanuella|date=June 4, 2018|publisher=CNN|access-date=June 4, 2018|last2=Jackson|first2=Amanda|archive-date=June 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604024157/https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/03/us/symbols-parkland-graduation/index.html|url-status=live}} Talk show host Jimmy Fallon made a surprise appearance and gave a commencement speech to the graduating class, thanking them for their courage and bravery.{{Cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/03/us/jimmy-fallon-parkland-graduation/index.html|title=Jimmy Fallon makes surprise appearance at Marjory Stoneman Douglas graduation|last=Andone|first=Dakin|date=June 4, 2018|publisher=CNN|access-date=June 5, 2018|archive-date=June 4, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180604225855/https://www.cnn.com/2018/06/03/us/jimmy-fallon-parkland-graduation/index.html|url-status=live}}
== First anniversary ==
On the first anniversary of the incident, the school opted to establish a voluntary attendance day, organizing a day of community service with early dismissal so that the school was closed at the time of the attack. A police line was created to shelter those students who chose to attend. The large, planned project for the day was to replace the memorial with a permanent memorial garden.{{Cite news |url=https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20190214/parkland-anniversary-a-day-for-peace-as-msd-students-honor-dead-with-service-projects |title=Parkland anniversary: 'A day for peace' as MSD students honor dead with service projects |last1=Ramadan |first1=Lulu|first2=Tom|last2=D'Angelo |website=The Palm Beach Post |date=February 14, 2019 |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201044636/https://www.palmbeachpost.com/news/20190214/a-day-for-peace-as-parkland-honors-dead-with-service-projects |url-status=dead}} A planned moment of silence at 10:17 am ET was held, with support provided from grief counselors and therapy dogs. An interfaith memorial service was planned in a separate location.{{Cite news |url=https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/families-friends-classmates-remember-victims-of-parkland-school-shooting |title=Families, friends, classmates remember victims of Parkland school shooting |last=Burke |first=Peter |date=February 14, 2019 |publisher=WPLG |location=Miami, Florida |access-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-date=February 14, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190214200102/https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/families-friends-classmates-remember-victims-of-parkland-school-shooting |url-status=live }}
= Officer inactivity =
{{See also|Trial of Scot Peterson}}
SRO Scot Peterson, who was armed, on-site, and in uniform{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/04/us/parkland-scot-peterson-actions/index.html |title=This is what Scot Peterson did during the Parkland school shooting |date=June 4, 2019 |first=Nicole |last=Chavez |publisher=CNN |access-date=June 6, 2019 |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201044633/https://www.cnn.com/2019/06/04/us/parkland-scot-peterson-actions/index.html |url-status=live }} as a Broward Sheriff's Office deputy, was accused of remaining outside Building 12 during the shooting. Eight days after the attack, he was suspended without pay by Sheriff Israel, and he immediately retired. Sheriff Israel said "Scot Peterson was absolutely on campus for this entire event", and that he should have "gone in, addressed the killer, [and] killed the killer".{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/22/us/nikolas-cruz-florida-shooting.html |title=As Gunman Rampaged Through Florida School, Armed Deputy 'Never Went In' |first1=Alan |last1=Blinder |first2=Patricia |last2=Mazzei |date=February 22, 2018 |work=The New York Times |access-date=February 23, 2018 |archive-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230015858/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/22/us/nikolas-cruz-florida-shooting.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/the-armed-school-resource-officer-at-stoneman-douglas-waited-outside-during-the-shooting/ |title=The armed school resource officer at Stoneman Douglas waited outside during the shooting |work=Vice News |first=Tess |last=Owen |date=February 22, 2018 |access-date=February 23, 2018 |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405144923/https://news.vice.com/en_us/article/gy88n4/the-armed-school-resource-officer-at-stoneman-douglas-waited-outside-during-the-shooting |url-status=live }}
In June 2019, following an investigation that included interviews with 184 witnesses, Peterson was arrested and then bonded out for the failing to protect the students during the shooting.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/04/us/parkland-scot-peterson.html |title=Deputy Who Stayed Outside During Parkland School Shooting Faces Criminal Charges |last=Burch |first=Audra D. S. |date=June 4, 2019 |work=The New York Times |access-date=June 4, 2019 |issn=0362-4331 |archive-date=June 4, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190604211038/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/04/us/parkland-scot-peterson.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Hassan |first1=Adeel |title=Scot Peterson Is Released on Bond. Here's How He's Explained His Actions During the Parkland Shooting |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/06/us/scot-peterson-parkland-shooting.html |work=The New York Times |date=June 6, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024153946/https://www.nytimes.com/2019/06/06/us/scot-peterson-parkland-shooting.html |url-status=live }} He faced 11 charges of neglect of a child, as well as culpable negligence and perjury. Peterson pleaded not guilty and filed a motion to have all charges dropped.{{cite news |last1=Viteri |first1=Amy |title=Scot Peterson pleads not guilty to felony charges related to Parkland school shooting |url=https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/scot-peterson-pleads-not-guilty-to-felony-charges-related-to-parkland-school-shooting |work=WPLG Local10 |date=July 22, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024153945/https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/scot-peterson-pleads-not-guilty-to-felony-charges-related-to-parkland-school-shooting |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Forney |first1=Terrell |title=Scot Peterson files petition to have charges dropped |url=https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/scot-peterson-files-petition-to-have-charges-dropped |work=WPLG Local10 |date=September 11, 2019 |access-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-date=October 24, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024153945/https://www.local10.com/news/parkland-school-shooting/scot-peterson-files-petition-to-have-charges-dropped |url-status=live }} However, the motion was denied and jury selection started on May 31, 2023.{{cite web | url=https://www.clickorlando.com/news/national/2023/05/30/florida-deputy-faces-trial-for-alleged-failure-to-confront-parkland-school-shooter/ | title=Florida deputy faces trial for alleged failure to confront Parkland school shooter | date=May 30, 2023 }}{{cite web | url=https://www.cbsnews.com/miami/video/jury-selection-set-to-begin-in-trial-of-former-parkland-bso-deputy-scot-peterson/ | title=Jury selection set to begin in trial of former Parkland BSO deputy Scot Peterson - CBS Miami | website=CBS News }}{{cite web | url=https://www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/parkland-school-tragedy/trial-for-scot-peterson-set-to-begin-heres-what-to-know-about-the-former-resource-deputy/3038736/ | title=Trial for Scot Peterson Set to Begin. Here's What to Know About the Former Resource Deputy | date=May 30, 2023 }} On June 29, 2023, Peterson was found not guilty on all charges.{{Cite news |last=Mazzei |first=Patricia |date=2023-06-29 |title=Jury Acquits Deputy Who Failed to Confront Parkland Gunman |language=en-US |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/29/us/parkland-shooting-scot-peterson-verdict.html |access-date=2023-06-30 |issn=0362-4331}}
A statement released by Peterson's lawyer before he was charged said that Peterson believed the shooting was happening outside the building. According to the lawyer, Peterson claimed he told this to the first Coral Springs police officer who arrived on scene. The statement also pointed to radio transmissions that indicated a gunshot victim near the football field.{{Cite news |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article202164039.html |title=I'm no coward, says deputy who didn't go inside Parkland school during massacre |last=Ovalle |first=David |date=February 26, 2018 |work=Miami Herald |access-date=February 26, 2018 |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226185630/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article202164039.html |url-status=live }}
The Miami Herald transcribed radio dispatches that Peterson said at 2:23 during the shooting, "Be advised we have possible, could be firecrackers. I think we have shots fired, possible shots fired—1200 building." Seconds later, Peterson radioed: "We're talking about the 1200 building it's going to be the building off Holmberg Road Get the school locked down, gentlemen!" At 2:25, he radioed that "We also heard it's by, inside the 1200." At an unspecified time, Peterson called for police to ensure that "no one comes inside the school." At 2:27, at Building 12, he radioed, "Stay at least 500 feet away at this point." At an unspecified time, Peterson ordered: "Do not approach the 12 or 1300 building, stay at least 500 feet away."{{cite news |last1=Ovalle |first1=David |last2=Rabin |first2=Charles |last3=Smiley |first3=David |last4=Teproff |first4=Carli |title=Disgraced Parkland deputy heard shots inside school building, told cops to stay away |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article204226584.html |work=Miami Herald |date=April 17, 2018 |archive-date=March 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180319151725/http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article204226584.html |url-status=live }}
On {{nowrap|March 15}}, the sheriff's office released video footage in compliance with a court order. The video was captured by school surveillance cameras and showed some of Peterson's movements during the shooting.{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 15, 2018 |first=Mark |last=Berman |title=Broward Sheriff's Office releases video showing deputy standing outside Parkland school during massacre |access-date=March 15, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/03/15/broward-sheriffs-office-releases-video-recording-of-deputy-during-parkland-school-massacre/ |archive-date=March 15, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180315182624/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/03/15/broward-sheriffs-office-releases-video-recording-of-deputy-during-parkland-school-massacre/ |url-status=live }}
Unnamed sources told CNN that Coral Springs police arrived at the scene and saw three Broward deputies behind their vehicles with pistols drawn.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/23/politics/parkland-school-shooting-broward-deputies/index.html |title=Sources: Coral Springs police upset at some Broward deputies for not entering school |last=Tapper |first=Jake |date=February 23, 2018 |publisher=CNN |access-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-date=January 16, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210116161737/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/23/politics/parkland-school-shooting-broward-deputies/index.html |url-status=live }} Broward Sheriff's Office captain Jan Jordan ordered deputies to form a perimeter instead of immediately confronting the shooter; this tactic was contrary to their training regarding active shooters. Based on time stamps of the police logs, the order was given some time after the shooting had stopped.{{cite news |work=Miami Herald |date=March 1, 2018 |first1=Wanda J. |last1=Demarzo |first2=Nicholas |last2=Nehamas |title=BSO captain told deputies to set up 'perimeter' around shooting. That's not the training. |access-date=March 2, 2018 |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article203015289.html |archive-date=February 1, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201044710/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article203015289.html |url-status=live }} Jordan was widely criticized for her actions, and she resigned, citing personal reasons, nine months after the shooting.{{cite news |work=Miami Herald |date=November 20, 2018 |first=Nicholas |last=Nehamas |title=After criticism, BSO captain in charge of Parkland shooting response resigns |access-date=November 30, 2018 |url=https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article221975890.html |archive-date=December 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181201051337/https://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/broward/article221975890.html |url-status=live }}
Sheriff Israel said that Coral Springs officers were the first to enter the building, about four minutes after Cruz had surreptitiously left the school. Due to a tape delay in viewing surveillance footage, officers believed that Cruz was still in the building.{{cite news |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=February 22, 2018 |first1=Lisa J. |last1=Huriash |first2=Stephen |last2=Hobbs |first3=Megan |last3=O'Matz |title=Video delays misled cops at Stoneman Douglas shooting |access-date=March 3, 2018 |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-response-20180221-story.html |archive-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180303164711/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-response-20180221-story.html |url-status=live }} {{As of|2018|03|alt=As of early March 2018}}, there were three investigations into the timeline of police response.{{cite news |first=Matt |last=Finn |title=Broward sheriff's captain who gave initial order to 'stage' not enter Stoneman Douglas is ID'd |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/broward-sheriffs-captain-who-gave-initial-order-to-stage-not-enter-stoneman-douglas-is-idd |access-date=March 7, 2018 |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=March 6, 2018 |quote=The policy did not appear to indicate a priority for staging or a perimeter. The Broward County Sheriff's office is performing its own investigation into the timeline of the day of the shooting. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement is also investigating BSO and the Florida Senate subpoenaed the Broward County Public Schools and responding law enforcement agencies for all records and information related to the shooting. |archive-date=March 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180306200814/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/03/05/broward-sheriffs-captain-who-gave-initial-order-to-stage-not-enter-stoneman-douglas-is-idd.html |url-status=live }}
President Trump criticized the officers who failed to enter the building during the shooting. On {{nowrap|February 26, 2018}}, he said that he would have entered "even if I didn't have a weapon, and I think most of the people in this room would have done that, too".{{cite news |first=Michael D. |last=Shear |title=Trump Says He Would Have Rushed in Unarmed to Stop School Shooting |date=February 26, 2018 |access-date=February 27, 2018 |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/us/politics/trump-school-shooter-florida.html |archive-date=February 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226235852/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/26/us/politics/trump-school-shooter-florida.html |url-status=live }}
=Building=
The building where the shooting occurred was permanently closed, and it served as evidence at the subsequent murder trial. Demolition of the structure began on June 14, 2024 and concluded by July 8. The site will be covered with sod until plans for the site are finalized. Debby Hixon, a school board member whose husband was among those killed told reporters "We would really like it to be a space where life flourishes." One option named in news reports is a "legacy field" for sports or band practice.{{Cite news |last=Spencer |first=Terry |date=June 13, 2024 |url=https://apnews.com/article/parkland-school-shooting-stoneman-douglas-a28c67a4beeff59d405fb84d7aea9c2b |title=Six years after the Parkland school massacre, the bloodstained building will finally be demolished |agency=AP |access-date=June 13, 2024 }}{{cite news |last1=Huriash |first1=Lisa |title=Demolition of Parkland school shooting site is complete. Here's what's next. |url=https://www.tampabay.com/news/florida/2024/07/09/marjory-stoneman-douglas-high-school-parkland-shooting-demolition/ |work=South Florida Sun Sentinel |agency=Tribune Content Agency LLC |date=July 9, 2024}}
Reactions
= Political reaction =
File:Photo of the Day- February 20, 2018 (39509493745).jpg, two days after the shooting.]]
President Trump offered his prayers and condolences to the victims' families, writing, "no child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school."{{cite news |url=https://splinternews.com/at-least-one-dead-dozens-injured-in-florida-high-schoo-1823009744 |title=At Least One Dead, Dozens Injured in Florida High School Shooting (DEVELOPING) |last=Schwartz |first=Rafi |date=February 14, 2018 |work=Splinter News |access-date=February 14, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180215092445/https://splinternews.com/at-least-one-dead-dozens-injured-in-florida-high-schoo-1823009744 |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }}{{cite tweet|user=realDonaldTrump|number=963878055969198080 |title=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. |last=Trump |first=Donald J. |author-link=Donald Trump |date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 14, 2018 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180215092445/https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/963878055969198080|archive-date=February 15, 2018 }}{{Cite web |date=2018-02-15 |title=Read Trump's speech addressing the Parkland school shooting {{!}} CNN Politics |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/15/politics/transcript-trump-parkland-shooting/index.html |access-date=2022-07-30 |website=CNN |language=en}} In a televised address, he mentioned school safety and mental health issues.{{cite news |last1=Lucey |first1=Catherine |title=Trump cites mental health _ not guns _ in speech on shooting |url=https://apnews.com/article/shootings-north-america-donald-trump-us-news-health-875dcc51d79043ccb28fc1adc928aac5 |access-date=26 December 2021 |work=AP News |date=15 February 2018 |language=en |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226183849/https://apnews.com/article/shootings-north-america-donald-trump-us-news-health-875dcc51d79043ccb28fc1adc928aac5 |url-status=live }} Florida Governor Rick Scott ordered that flags at state buildings be flown at half-staff.{{cite news |first1=David |last1=Flesher |first2=Aric |last2=Chokey |first3=Lisa J. |last3=Huriash |first4=Linda |last4=Trischitta |title=Seventeen killed in South Florida high school shooting |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-sb-active-shooter-marjory-stoneman-high-20180214-story.html |work=Sun-Sentinel |location=Broward County, Florida |date=February 14, 2018 |access-date=February 15, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180215003210/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-sb-active-shooter-marjory-stoneman-high-20180214-story.html |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }} Two days after the shooting, Trump and the first lady Melania visited Broward Health North, a hospital where eight of the shooting victims were admitted. They met with two victims and Trump praised doctors and law enforcement officials for their responses to the attack.{{cite news |work=The New York Times |date=February 16, 2018 |first=Katie |last=Rogers |title=Trump Visits Florida Hospital That Treated School Shooting Victims |access-date=March 20, 2018 |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/politics/trump-parkland.html |archive-date=March 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321065030/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/politics/trump-parkland.html |url-status=live }}
On {{nowrap|February 22}}, Trump met with students and others for a "listening session" at the White House. He suggested arming up to 20% of the teachers to stop "maniacs" from attacking students. The following day, he called a "gun-free" school a "magnet" for criminals and tweeted, "Highly trained, gun adept, teachers/coaches would solve the problem instantly, before police arrive."{{cite news |title='Gun free' schools are magnets for 'bad people': Trump |url=https://nz.news.yahoo.com/apos-gun-free-apos-schools-131408755.html |publisher=Yahoo! News |agency=Agence France-Presse |first=Andrew |last=Beatty |access-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-date=October 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031094709/https://nz.news.yahoo.com/apos-gun-free-apos-schools-131408755.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Trump suggests arming teachers as a solution to increase school safety |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/21/politics/trump-listening-sessions-parkland-students/index.html |publisher=CNN |first1=Dan |last1=Merica |first2=Betsy |last2=Klein |date=February 22, 2018 |access-date=February 22, 2018 |archive-date=December 16, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201216224255/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/21/politics/trump-listening-sessions-parkland-students/index.html |url-status=live }}
BBC News characterized Republican politicians' reactions as focusing on mental health issues while dodging debate on gun control, with the reasoning that it was either "too political or too soon."{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43079170 |title=Florida shooting: Two Americas speak in aftermath |date=February 15, 2018 |first=Anthony |last=Zurcher |publisher=BBC News|access-date=October 18, 2018 |archive-date=November 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181127201410/https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-43079170 |url-status=live }} Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan said that this was the time to "step back and count our blessings" instead of "taking sides and fighting each other politically."{{cite news |date=February 15, 2018 |last1=Spicuzza |first1=Mary |title=Paul Ryan on Florida shooting: 'This is not the time to jump to some conclusion' |url=https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/15/paul-ryan-florida-shooting-not-time-jump-some-conclusion/341703002/ |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |access-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-date=November 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181125123013/https://www.jsonline.com/story/news/politics/2018/02/15/paul-ryan-florida-shooting-not-time-jump-some-conclusion/341703002/ |url-status=live }} Republican Florida Senator Marco Rubio said that "most" proposals on stricter gun laws "would not have prevented" this shooting nor "any of those in recent history" and that lawmakers should take action with "focus on the violence part" alongside guns.{{cite news |last1=Vazquez |first1=Maegan |title=Rubio: Gun laws wouldn't have prevented Parkland |url=https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/15/politics/marco-rubio-senate-floor-florida-shooting/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180216000158/https://edition.cnn.com/2018/02/15/politics/marco-rubio-senate-floor-florida-shooting/index.html |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }} Republican Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin declared that the country should re-evaluate "the things being put in the hands of our young people,"{{cite news |last1=Wartman |first1=Scott |title=School shootings: Kentucky Gov. Matt Bevin blames violent video games and shows, not guns |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/02/16/school-shootings-kentucky-gov-matt-bevin-blames-violent-video-games-and-shows-not-guns/343364002/ |work=The Cincinnati Enquirer |access-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-date=January 9, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190109070418/https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2018/02/16/school-shootings-kentucky-gov-matt-bevin-blames-violent-video-games-and-shows-not-guns/343364002/ |url-status=live }} specifically "quote-unquote video games" that "have desensitized people to the value of human life."{{cite news |last1=Fogel |first1=Stefanie |title=Kentucky Governor Blames Video Games for Florida School Shooting |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/kentucky-gov-blames-video-games-for-florida-school-shooting-w516826 |magazine=Rolling Stone |access-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-date=April 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180417192229/https://www.rollingstone.com/glixel/news/kentucky-gov-blames-video-games-for-florida-school-shooting-w516826 |url-status=live }} Republican Senator Pat Roberts of Kansas said he supported age restrictions on the ownership of AR-15-style rifles, saying "Certainly nobody under 21 should have an AR-15."{{Cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/02/22/nra-backed-sen-pat-roberts-nobody-under-21-should-have-an-ar-15/ |title=NRA-backed Sen. Pat Roberts: 'Nobody under 21 should have an AR-15' |last=O'Keefe |first=Ed |date=February 22, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-date=June 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614094319/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2018/02/22/nra-backed-sen-pat-roberts-nobody-under-21-should-have-an-ar-15/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Is This the Moment for Gun Control? A Gridlocked Congress Is Under Pressure |first1=Sheryl Gay |last1=Stolberg |first2=Jonathan |last2=Martin |first3=Thomas |last3=Kaplan |date=February 25, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/25/us/politics/gun-control-congress-governors.html |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710230940/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/25/us/politics/gun-control-congress-governors.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Kansas Republican backs raising age to buy semiautomatic rifles |first=Sophie |last=Tatum |date=February 22, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/22/politics/pat-roberts-age-limits-guns/index.html |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711024848/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/22/politics/pat-roberts-age-limits-guns/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=The Latest: Ban Proposed on Young Buying Assault Rifles |date=February 23, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |agency=Associated Press |magazine=U.S. News & World Report |url=https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2018-02-22/the-latest-trump-says-guns-only-for-gun-adept-teachers |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711022019/https://www.usnews.com/news/politics/articles/2018-02-22/the-latest-trump-says-guns-only-for-gun-adept-teachers |url-status=live }} Republican Senator from Oklahoma James Lankford said on NBC News' Meet the Press he was open to requiring more comprehensive background checks for firearm purchases, saying "The problem is not owning an AR-15, it's the person who owns it."{{cite news |title=GOP Sen. Lankford has 'no issue' with stronger gun background checks |first=Kailani |last=Koenig |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |work=Meet the Press |publisher=NBC News |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/gop-sen-lankford-open-stronger-gun-background-checks-n849176 |archive-date=August 4, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804125338/https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/gop-sen-lankford-open-stronger-gun-background-checks-n849176 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Congress wonders if this time will be different for gun control |first=Lauren |last=Fox |publisher=CNN |date=February 21, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/politics/gun-control-congress-fight/index.html |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711024901/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/politics/gun-control-congress-fight/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |date=February 19, 2018 |title=Florida shooting sparks reactions from Republican senators on gun control |first=Kaitlyn |last=Schallhorn |publisher=Fox News Channel |access-date=July 18, 2018 |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/florida-shooting-sparks-reactions-from-republican-senators-on-gun-control |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711021845/http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2018/02/19/florida-shooting-sparks-reactions-from-republican-senators-on-gun-control.html |url-status=live }} Republican governor of Ohio John Kasich called for restrictions on the sales of AR-15-style rifles, saying on CNN "if all of a sudden, you couldn't buy an AR-15, what would you lose? Would you feel as though your Second Amendment rights would be eroded because you couldn't buy a God-darn AR-15?"{{cite news |work=State of the Union |publisher=CNN |title=Transcript |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=July 20, 2018 |url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1802/18/sotu.01.html |archive-date=August 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180810091505/http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1802/18/sotu.01.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Highlights: Students Call for Action Across Nation; Florida Lawmakers Fail to Take Up Assault Rifle Bill |first1=Julie |last1=Turkewitz |first2=Anemona |last2=Hartocollis |date=February 20, 2018 |access-date=July 20, 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/us/gun-control-florida-shooting.html |archive-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180721014231/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/us/gun-control-florida-shooting.html |url-status=live }} Republican Representative Brian Mast from Florida, a former resident of Parkland and an Army veteran, wrote in an op-ed in The New York Times that he supported a ban on the sale of civilian versions of military rifles, writing:
Most nights in Afghanistan, I wielded an M4 carbine. My rifle was very similar to the AR-15-style semiautomatic weapon used to kill students, teachers and a coach I knew at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., where I once lived...I cannot support the primary weapon I used to defend our people being used to kill children I swore to defend. The AR-15 is an excellent platform for recreational shooters to learn to be outstanding marksmen. Unfortunately, it is also an excellent platform for those who wish to kill the innocent.{{cite news |last=Mast |first=Brian |date=February 23, 2018 |title=I Appreciate Assault Weapons. And I Support a Ban |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/opinion/brian-mast-assault-weapons-ban.html |newspaper=The New York Times |location=New York City |access-date=July 18, 2018 |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710002255/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/23/opinion/brian-mast-assault-weapons-ban.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Republican, veteran and gun rights supporter Brian Mast says assault weapons should be banned |newspaper=Tampa Bay Times |first=Alex |last=Leary |date=February 24, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |url=https://www.tampabay.com/live-coverage/2018/02/24/republican-veteran-and-gun-rights-supporter-brian-mast-says-assault-weapons-should-be-banned/ |quote=Congressman Brian Mast, R-Palm City, has as much authority on guns as anyone, having served in the Army and losing both legs in Afghanistan. He says assault weapons such as the AR-15 should be banned. "I cannot support the primary weapon I used to defend our people being used to kill children I swore to defend," Mast, who represents a swing district and faces a tough re-election, writes in an op/ed for the New York Times. |archive-date=July 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180711022124/http://www.tampabay.com/live-coverage/2018/02/24/republican-veteran-and-gun-rights-supporter-brian-mast-says-assault-weapons-should-be-banned/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=With AR-15s, Mass Shooters Attack With the Rifle Firepower Typically Used by Infantry Troops |first1=C. J. |last1=Chivers |first2=Larry |last2=Buchanan |first3=Denise |last3=Lu |first4=Karen |last4=Yourish |date=February 28, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/28/us/ar-15-rifle-mass-shootings.html |quote=Representative Brian Mast of Florida, a Republican and an Army combat veteran, has called for a ban on the sale of AR-15-style rifles. "The exact definition of assault weapon will need to be determined," Mr. Mast said. "But we should all be able to agree that the civilian version of the very deadly weapon that the Army issued to me should certainly qualify." |archive-date=July 10, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180710225359/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2018/02/28/us/ar-15-rifle-mass-shootings.html |url-status=live }}
Democratic Senator from Florida Bill Nelson said "I have hunted all my life. But an AR-15 is not for hunting. It's for killing."{{cite news |first=Marc |last=Fisher |author-link=Marc Fisher |date=February 15, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |title=The AR-15: 'America's rifle' or illegitimate killing machine? |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-ar-15-americas-rifle-or-illegitimate-killing-machine/2018/02/15/743e66ca-1266-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html |quote="I have hunted all my life," Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) said on the Senate floor Thursday. "But an AR-15 is not for hunting. It's for killing." |archive-date=June 12, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180612140801/https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/the-ar-15-americas-rifle-or-illegitimate-killing-machine/2018/02/15/743e66ca-1266-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title='An AR-15 Is for Killing': Sen. Nelson Hopes FL Shooting Is the 'Turning Point' on Gun Control |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=February 16, 2018 |access-date=July 18, 2018 |url=http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/02/16/bill-nelson-florida-school-shooting-could-be-turning-point-gun-control |quote="I have hunted all my life. I still hunt with my son. But an AR-15 is not for hunting. It's for killing," Nelson said during an appearance in Parkland Friday morning. |archive-date=July 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180730192025/http://insider.foxnews.com/2018/02/16/bill-nelson-florida-school-shooting-could-be-turning-point-gun-control |url-status=live }}
Al Hoffman Jr., a Republican donor in Florida, pledged that he would no longer fund legislative groups or candidates who were not actively working to ban sales of military-style weapons to civilians. He said, "For how many years now have we been doing this—having these experiences of terrorism, mass killings—and how many years has it been that nothing's been done?"{{cite news |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/us/prominent-republican-donor-issues-ultimatum-on-assault-weapons.html |title=Prominent Republican Donor Issues Ultimatum on Assault Weapons |first=Alexander |last=Burns |date=February 17, 2018 |access-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217204132/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/17/us/prominent-republican-donor-issues-ultimatum-on-assault-weapons.html |url-status=live }}
Sheriff Israel called on lawmakers to amend the Baker Act to allow police to detain and hospitalize people who make disturbing posts—not just clear threats—on social media. "I'm talking about being around bombs, possibly talking about 'I want to be a serial killer,' talking about taking people's lives," he said. "Just taking a picture with a gun or a knife or a weapon—that in and of itself is clearly not even remotely something that we're concerned about."{{cite news |last=Silva |first=Daniella |title=Sheriff in Florida shooting calls for power to detain over social media |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sheriff-florida-shooting-calls-power-detain-over-social-media-n848486 |publisher=NBC News |access-date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216003723/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/sheriff-florida-shooting-calls-power-detain-over-social-media-n848486 |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }}
= Gun control debate =
{{Main|2018 United States gun violence protests|March for Our Lives}}
File:Thoughts and Prayers Don't Save Lives (40369207261) (cropped).jpg
Many student survivors criticized the response from politicians and asked them not to offer condolences but to take action to prevent more students from being killed in school shootings. These students have demanded stricter gun control measures.{{cite news |last1=Rossman |first1=Sean |title='We're children. You guys are the adults': Shooting survivor, 17, calls out lawmakers |url= https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/15/were-children-you-guys-adults-shooting-survivor-17-calls-out-lawmakers/341002002/ |work=USA Today |access-date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180215233725/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/nation-now/2018/02/15/were-children-you-guys-adults-shooting-survivor-17-calls-out-lawmakers/341002002/ |archive-date=February 15, 2018 }}{{cite news |last1=Ebbs |first1=Stephanie |title=Survivors of Florida high school shooting call for action on gun control |url= https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/survivors-florida-high-school-shooting-call-action-gun/story?id=53111278 |publisher=ABC News |access-date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20180216021638/http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/survivors-florida-high-school-shooting-call-action-gun/story?id=53111278 |archive-date=February 16, 2018 }} Survivor X González was noted for their speech that rebuked thoughts and prayers from politicians.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rally-parkland-shooting-survivors-rail-against-gun-laws-nra-trump-n849076 |title=At rally, Parkland shooting survivors rail against gun laws, NRA and Trump |publisher=NBC News |date=February 17, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |last=Bailey |first=Chelsea |archive-date=May 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190516165143/https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/rally-parkland-shooting-survivors-rail-against-gun-laws-nra-trump-n849076 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8174063/emma-gonzalez-speech-florida-school-shooting-twitter-reactions |title=Artists React to Florida School Shooting Survivor's Powerful Speech at Gun Control Rally |magazine=Billboard |date=February 17, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |last=Iasimone |first=Ashley |archive-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218063816/https://www.billboard.com/articles/news/8174063/emma-gonzalez-speech-florida-school-shooting-twitter-reactions |url-status=live }} They later helped lead a protest movement against gun violence in the United States.{{cite news |date=February 17, 2018 |first=Christal |last=Hayes |work=USA Today |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/02/17/student-emma-gonzalez-school-shooting-gives-passionate-speech-against-g/348357002/ |title=Emma Gonzalez survived the Florida shooting. Now she's taking on Trump and the NRA. |access-date=February 19, 2018 |quote=...passionate speech at an anti-gun rally... |archive-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218150415/https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2018/02/17/student-emma-gonzalez-school-shooting-gives-passionate-speech-against-g/348357002/ |url-status=live }} Broward County Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie said, "now is the time to have a real conversation about gun control legislation."{{cite news |title=Florida high school shooting suspect confesses to 17 counts of murder |url=http://www.wtxl.com/ap/militia-says-school-shooting-suspect-was-member-of-the-republic/article_07ce197c-127a-11e8-a16a-5f8261e1570e.html |publisher=WTXL-TV |location=Tallahassee, Florida |agency=Associated Press |access-date=February 16, 2018 |archive-date=March 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180321041000/http://www.wtxl.com/ap/militia-says-school-shooting-suspect-was-member-of-the-republic/article_07ce197c-127a-11e8-a16a-5f8261e1570e.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=Roosevelt grad Robert Runcie leads Florida district after shooting |url=https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/2018/02/15/roosevelt-grad-robert-runcie-leads-florida-district-after-shooting/341115002/ |date=February 15, 2018 |work=Poughkeepsie Journal |location=Poughkeepsie, New York |access-date=February 16, 2018 |archive-date=December 10, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201210040930/https://www.poughkeepsiejournal.com/story/news/2018/02/15/roosevelt-grad-robert-runcie-leads-florida-district-after-shooting/341115002/ |url-status=live }} Lori Alhadeff, whose daughter was killed in the shooting, implored Trump to do something to improve school safety.{{cite news |magazine=The New Yorker |date=February 16, 2018 |first=John |last=Cassidy |title=What Does Donald Trump Have to Say to the Parkland Parent Lori Alhadeff? |access-date=March 13, 2018 |quote=...So far, the reaction to the shooting from the White House and congressional Republicans has been predictably pathetic... |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/what-does-donald-trump-have-to-say-to-the-parkland-parent-lori-alhadeff |archive-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313214242/https://www.newyorker.com/news/our-columnists/what-does-donald-trump-have-to-say-to-the-parkland-parent-lori-alhadeff |url-status=live }}
In the aftermath of the shooting, some of the student survivors organized Never Again MSD. The group was created on social media with the hashtag #NeverAgain,{{cite news |title='No more guns!': Florida students rally to denounce political inaction after 17 killed in school shooting |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 17, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |last=Lowery |first=Wesley |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/02/17/no-more-guns-florida-students-and-residents-rally-to-denounce-political-inaction-after-17-killed-in-school-shooting/ |archive-date=February 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180220033748/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/post-nation/wp/2018/02/17/no-more-guns-florida-students-and-residents-rally-to-denounce-political-inaction-after-17-killed-in-school-shooting/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/02/18/turning-anger-into-activism-school-shooting/ |title=Turning Anger into Activism: School Shooting Victims Say 'Never Again' |publisher=WFOR-TV |location=Miami, Florida |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-date=November 5, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201105175206/https://miami.cbslocal.com/2018/02/18/turning-anger-into-activism-school-shooting/ |url-status=live }} activism inspired in part by the ground broken by the #MeToo movement and the 2018 Women's March.{{Cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43119205 |title=Florida school shooting: Where do US protests go from here? |last=Hughes |first=Roland |date=February 25, 2018 |website=BBC News |access-date=March 3, 2018 |archive-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180301015930/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43119205 |url-status=live }} The group demanded legislative action to prevent similar shootings and has condemned lawmakers who received political contributions from the National Rifle Association.{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/02/16/586616026/students-who-survived-florida-shooting-want-politicians-to-know-theyre-angry |title=Students Who Survived Florida Shooting Want Politicians To Know They're Angry |work=All Things Considered |publisher=NPR |date=February 16, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218050534/https://www.npr.org/2018/02/16/586616026/students-who-survived-florida-shooting-want-politicians-to-know-theyre-angry |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/columbine-mass-shootings.html |title=A 'Mass Shooting Generation' Cries Out for Change |work=The New York Times |date=February 16, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |last1=Burch |first1=Audra D. S. |last2=Mazzei |first2=Patricia |last3=Healy |first3=Jack |archive-date=December 20, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201220161712/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/16/us/columbine-mass-shootings.html |url-status=live }} The group held a rally on {{nowrap|February 17}} in Fort Lauderdale that was attended by hundreds of supporters.{{cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/18/us/florida-school-shooting-updates/index.html |title=Florida school shooting survivors turn grief into action |publisher=CNN |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |last=Chavez |first=Nicole |archive-date=April 5, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190405144829/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/18/us/florida-school-shooting-updates/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |last1=Witt |first1=Emily |title=How the Survivors of Parkland Began the Never Again Movement |url=https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-the-survivors-of-parkland-began-the-never-again-movement |magazine=The New Yorker |access-date=February 20, 2018 |date=February 19, 2018 |archive-date=February 25, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225024400/https://www.newyorker.com/news/news-desk/how-the-survivors-of-parkland-began-the-never-again-movement |url-status=live }}
Since the shooting, several more rallies have been planned to take place with the focus on legislative action. The Women's March Network organized a {{nowrap|17-minute}} school walkout that took place on {{nowrap|March 14}}.{{Cite news |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/18/us/national-student-walkout-womens-march-trnd/index.html |title=Women's March organizers are planning a national student walkout to protest gun violence |last1=Gomez |first1=Isabella |first2=Amanda |last2=Jackson |publisher=CNN |access-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180219000556/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/18/us/national-student-walkout-womens-march-trnd/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/enough-national-school-walkout|title=ENOUGH: National School Walkout|publisher=The Action Network|access-date=February 19, 2018|archive-date=December 30, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230161903/https://www.actionnetwork.org/event_campaigns/enough-national-school-walkout|url-status=live}} A series of demonstrations called "March for Our Lives" on {{nowrap|March 24}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.bocalifemagazine.com/features/rising-parkland-5-inspirational-stories|title=Rising Up From Parkland: 5 Inspirational Stories|website=Boca Life Magazine|access-date=June 14, 2019}} {{Dead link|date=July 2021 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} included a march in Washington, D.C.{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43105699 |title=In Florida aftermath, US students say 'Never Again' |publisher=BBC |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |last=Cooper |first=Kelly-Leigh |archive-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180218214940/http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-43105699 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.marchforourlives.com |title=March for Our Lives |access-date=February 18, 2018 |archive-date=January 21, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210121044154/https://marchforourlives.com/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.foxnews.com/us/florida-school-shooting-survivors-plan-march-demanding-end-to-gun-violence |title=Florida school shooting survivors plan march demanding end to gun violence |publisher=Fox News Channel |date=February 18, 2018 |access-date=February 18, 2018 |last=Lam |first=Katherine |archive-date=August 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180811032834/http://www.foxnews.com/us/2018/02/18/florida-school-shooting-survivors-plan-march-demanding-end-to-gun-violence.html |url-status=live }} On {{nowrap|April 20}}, the anniversary of the Columbine High School massacre, all-day walkouts were planned for teacher groups by educators Diane Ravitch and David Berliner,{{Cite news |url=https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/a-nationwide-teacher-walkout-could-shake-us-out-of-our-mass-shooting-stupor.html |title=A Nationwide Teacher Walkout Could Shake Us Out of Our Mass Shooting Stupor |last=Lithwick |first=Dahlia |work=Slate |access-date=February 19, 2018 |archive-date=November 9, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109041042/https://slate.com/news-and-politics/2018/02/a-nationwide-teacher-walkout-could-shake-us-out-of-our-mass-shooting-stupor.html |url-status=live }} as well as student groups.{{Cite news |date=March 12, 2018 |first=Sarah |last=Gray |url=https://time.com/5165794/student-protests-walkouts-florida-school-shooting/ |title=Here Are the Student Protests Planned After the Florida School Shooting |magazine=Time |access-date=March 12, 2018 |archive-date=March 13, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180313034810/http://time.com/5165794/student-protests-walkouts-florida-school-shooting/ |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |date=March 11, 2018 |first=Denise |last=Lavoie |agency=Associated Press |url=https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/schools-brace-for-massive-student-walkouts-over-gun-violence |title=Schools brace for massive student walkouts over gun violence |work=PBS NewsHour |access-date=March 12, 2018 |archive-date=March 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180311205212/https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/schools-brace-for-massive-student-walkouts-over-gun-violence |url-status=live }}
On {{nowrap|February 20}}, dozens of Stoneman Douglas High School students went to the state Capitol in Tallahassee and watched as the Florida House of Representatives rejected a bill that would have banned some guns characterized as assault weapons. Students strongly criticized the vote. The bill's sponsor, Carlos Guillermo Smith, highlighted the legislature's failure to respond to the use of an assault weapon in the mass shooting at Stoneman Douglas High School, while passing a bill to declare that pornography is a public health risk.{{cite news |first1=Ray |last1=Sanchez |first2=Chris |last2=Boyette |first3=Eliott C. |last3=McLaughlin |title=Florida Legislature rejects weapons ban with massacre survivors en route to Capitol |date=February 21, 2018 |publisher=CNN |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/us/florida-legislature-weapons-ban/ |access-date=February 23, 2018 |archive-date=February 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180221071627/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/us/florida-legislature-weapons-ban/ |url-status=live }}
In mid-March, Lori Alhadeff announced her own nonprofit organization, Make Schools Safe, which will be mostly focusing on school campus security.{{cite news |first=Lori |last=Alhadeff |title=My daughter died at Parkland. It's now my job to be her voice. |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/my-daughter-died-at-parkland-its-now-my-job-to-be-her-voice/2018/03/22/d6ca9d32-2d3b-11e8-b0b0-f706877db618_story.html |access-date=March 27, 2018 |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=March 22, 2018 |archive-date=March 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180327122214/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/my-daughter-died-at-parkland-its-now-my-job-to-be-her-voice/2018/03/22/d6ca9d32-2d3b-11e8-b0b0-f706877db618_story.html |url-status=live }}
In May 2018, Cameron Kasky's father registered a super PAC, Families vs Assault Rifles PAC (FAMSVARPAC), with intentions of going "up against NRA candidates in every meaningful race in the country."{{cite news |url=http://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article212173729.html |title=Parkland parents launch a Super PAC to go after politicians and the NRA |work=Miami Herald |date=May 30, 2018 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |last=Smiley |first=David |archive-date=May 30, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180530172536/http://www.miamiherald.com/latest-news/article212173729.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-sb-douglas-parents-families-rifles-pac-20180529-story.html |title=Parkland parents set up PAC to take on NRA |work=Sun Sentinel |date=May 30, 2018 |access-date=May 30, 2018 |last=Huriash |first=Lisa |archive-date=May 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180531000520/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-sb-douglas-parents-families-rifles-pac-20180529-story.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://famsvarpac.org/|title=Families vs Assault Rifles PAC|access-date=December 15, 2018|archive-date=December 13, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181213152829/https://famsvarpac.org/|url-status=live}}
== State law ==
{{Main|Florida Senate Bill 7026}}
In March 2018, the Florida Legislature passed a bill titled the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Act. It raised the minimum age for buying rifles to 21, established waiting periods and background checks, provided a program for the arming of some school employees and hiring of school police, banned bump stocks, and barred some potentially violent or mentally unhealthy people arrested under certain laws from possessing guns. In all, it allocated around {{nowrap|$400 million}}.{{cite news |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=March 7, 2018 |first=Dan |last=Sweeney |title=Florida House sends Stoneman Douglas gun and school bill to Gov. Scott |access-date=March 8, 2018 |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-legislature-20180307-story.html |archive-date=March 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180307212042/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-legislature-20180307-story.html |url-status=live }} Rick Scott signed the bill into law on {{nowrap|March 9}}.
On the day the Parkland bill was signed into law, the NRA sued, challenging the ban on gun sales to people ages 18 to 21.{{cite news |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/03/09/nra-sues-florida-over-gun-bill-same-day-gov-scott-signed-law/412365002/ |title=NRA sues Florida over gun bill same day Gov. Scott signed it into law |last=Schweers |first=Jeffrey |date=March 9, 2018 |work=Tallahassee Democrat |location=Tallahassee, Florida |access-date=March 10, 2018 |archive-date=March 9, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180309233408/https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/2018/03/09/nra-sues-florida-over-gun-bill-same-day-gov-scott-signed-law/412365002/ |url-status=live }} The U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Florida upheld the constitutionality of the law and dismissed the NRA's suit in June 2021.[https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-dismisses-nra-suit-challenging-florida-gun-law/ Judge Dismisses NRA Suit Challenging Florida Gun Law] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101113845/https://www.courthousenews.com/judge-dismisses-nra-suit-challenging-florida-gun-law/ |date=November 1, 2021 }}, Courthouse News Service (June 24, 2021).
The NRA then filed its appeal to the Eleventh Circuit, where a three-judge panel initially upheld the law's constitutionality on March 9, 2023.{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2023 |title=NRA v. Bondi Initial Appellate Opinion |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca11.74543/gov.uscourts.ca11.74543.65.1_1.pdf |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=CourtListener}} However, on the same day, an appellate judge withheld the mandate of the opinion, and on July 14, 2023,{{Cite web |date=March 9, 2023 |title=NRA v. Bondi Mandate Withheld |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca11.74543/gov.uscourts.ca11.74543.67.0.pdf |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=CourtListener}} the Eleventh Circuit granted the NRA's petition to rehear it en banc.{{Cite web |date=July 14, 2023 |title=NRA v. Bondi En Banc Rehearing Petition Granted |url=https://storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.uscourts.ca11.74543/gov.uscourts.ca11.74543.86.1.pdf |access-date=July 22, 2023 |website=CourtListener}}
On March 26, 2025, the Florida House of Representatives passed a bill titled the Minimum Age for Firearm Purchase or Transfer Act, which was sponsored by Michelle Salzman and endorsed by governor Ron DeSantis, to lower the minimum age for purchasing long guns back to 18. Salzman said the purpose of the bill was "about the right to defend yourself, the right to keep and bear arms, [and] the right to a well-armed militia" and "not about the tragedy".{{Cite news |last=Goñi-Lessan |first=Ana |date=March 26, 2025 |title=Florida House votes to repeal gun control measure enacted after Parkland shooting |url=https://www.tallahassee.com/story/news/local/state/2025/03/26/florida-house-votes-to-roll-back-age-for-gun-purchases-from-21-to-18-parkland-marjory-stoneman/82676043007/ |access-date=April 22, 2025 |work=Tallahassee Democrat}} On April 21, Senate Rules Chairwoman Kathleen Passidomo said that her committee would not take a vote on the House bill. Passidomo's statement came five days after a mass shooting at Florida State University, but she also said that the decision had been made before the attack.{{Cite news |date=April 21, 2025 |title=Florida Senate set to block proposal lowering long-gun purchase age |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/florida-senate-set-to-block-proposal-lowering-long-gun-purchase-age/?ftag=CNM-00-10aab6a&linkId=802982502 |access-date=April 22, 2025 |work=WFOR-TV |publisher=CBS News}}
== Federal law ==
{{Main|Gun law in the United States}}
On February 20, 2018, Trump directed the Department of Justice to issue regulations to ban bump stocks.{{cite news |title=Trump moves to ban bump stocks |first1=Kevin |last1=Liptak |first2=David |last2=Shortell |publisher=CNN |date=February 21, 2018 |access-date=July 12, 2018 |url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/politics/donald-trump-bump-stocks/index.html |quote=President Donald Trump said on Tuesday that he directed his attorney general to propose changes that would ban bump fire stocks, which make it easier to fire rounds more quickly. |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714061157/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/20/politics/donald-trump-bump-stocks/index.html |url-status=live }}{{cite news |title=What You Need to Know About Bump Stock Gun Accessories |first1=Grace |last1=Donnelly |date=February 21, 2018 |access-date=July 12, 2018 |magazine=Fortune |url=http://fortune.com/2018/02/21/bump-stocks-ban-las-vegas-shooting/ |quote=On Tuesday, President Trump ordered the Justice Department to issue regulations that would ban bump stocks, after pressure to do more to curtail access to deadly weapons following the Florida shooting. |archive-date=July 14, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180714022649/http://fortune.com/2018/02/21/bump-stocks-ban-las-vegas-shooting/ |url-status=live }}
On {{nowrap|March 23}}, the STOP School Violence Act was signed into law as part of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2018, which increases funding for metal detectors, security training, and similar safety measures.{{cite news |publisher=KOLD-TV |location=Tucson, Arizona |date=March 23, 2018 |title=Highlights from the omnibus spending bill |url=http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/37799567/highlights-from-the-omnibus-bill |access-date=March 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180325050016/http://www.tucsonnewsnow.com/story/37799567/highlights-from-the-omnibus-bill |archive-date=March 25, 2018 |url-status=dead }} Lawmakers made it clear it was in response to the shooting and the public outcry.{{cite news |last1=Man |first1=Anthony |title=U.S. House easily approves bill to reduce school violence |url=http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-stop-school-violence-act-20180312-story.html |access-date=April 1, 2018 |work=Sun-Sentinel |date=March 14, 2018 |archive-date=April 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180402035746/http://www.sun-sentinel.com/local/broward/parkland/florida-school-shooting/fl-florida-school-shooting-stop-school-violence-act-20180312-story.html |url-status=live }} Some students from the Stoneman Douglas High School, who were active in calling for stricter gun control (not just safety measures), said the measure was passed because lawmakers "pass something very easy and simple that everyone can get behind. But that's because it doesn't do anything."{{cite news |title=Transcript: Parkland student activists on "Face the Nation," March 25, 2018 |url=https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-parkland-students-jaclyn-corin-ryan-deitsch-delaney-tarr-cameron-kasky-emma-gonzalez-on-face-the-nation-march-25-2018/ |access-date=April 1, 2018 |publisher=CBS News |date=March 25, 2018 |archive-date=March 31, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180331063436/https://www.cbsnews.com/news/transcript-parkland-students-jaclyn-corin-ryan-deitsch-delaney-tarr-cameron-kasky-emma-gonzalez-on-face-the-nation-march-25-2018/ |url-status=live }}
== Boycott of NRA and responses from businesses ==
{{Main|2018 NRA boycott}}
Following the shooting, people boycotted gun rights advocacy groups including the National Rifle Association of America (NRA) and its business affiliates. Many companies responded to the shooting by changing some of their business dealings and practices.Lin, Tom C. W., [https://ssrn.com/abstract=3294317 Incorporating Social Activism] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201044724/https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=3294317 |date=February 1, 2021 }} (December 1, 2018). 98 Boston University Law Review 1535 (2018)
Calls for companies to sever their ties to the NRA were heeded when several companies terminated their business relationships with the NRA.{{Cite news |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/business/nra-boycotts.html |title=Big and Small, N.R.A. Boycott Efforts Come Together in Gun Debate |last=Hsu |first=Tiffany |date=February 27, 2018 |work=The New York Times |access-date=March 1, 2018 |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228154815/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/27/business/nra-boycotts.html |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/02/corporate-america-would-rather-not-be-associated-with-mass-murder |title=Corporate America Second-Guessing Association with Mass Murder |last=Levin |first=Bess |work=Vanity Fair |access-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224025814/https://www.vanityfair.com/news/2018/02/corporate-america-would-rather-not-be-associated-with-mass-murder |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=http://fortune.com/2018/02/23/nra-guns-blackrock-enterprise-first-national-omaha/ |title=Companies Are Starting to Back Away From the Gun Industry and NRA |work=Fortune |date=February 23, 2018 |first=David |last=Meyer |access-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224011043/http://fortune.com/2018/02/23/nra-guns-blackrock-enterprise-first-national-omaha/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/23/588233273/one-by-one-companies-cut-ties-with-nra |title=One By One, Companies Cut Ties With The NRA |last=Held |first=Amy |publisher=NPR |date=February 23, 2018 |access-date=February 25, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180224185054/https://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2018/02/23/588233273/one-by-one-companies-cut-ties-with-nra |url-status=live }}
Major gun sellers such as Dick's, Walmart, and Fred Meyer voluntarily raised the age requirement on gun purchases from 18 to 21. The NRA challenged the new age requirement in court.{{Cite web |date=2023-03-10 |title=Court upholds Florida's 21-year age requirement for buying guns |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/politics-news/court-upholds-floridas-21-year-age-requirement-buying-guns-rcna74288 |access-date=2024-06-12 |website=NBC News |language=en}} Other businesses like Bank of America and Citibank also ended some of their dealings with gun manufacturers and vendors.
= Victims' funds =
In the aftermath of the shooting, more than {{nowrap|$7.5 million}} was raised for the victims {{as of|2018|April|lc=y}}. Two other funds, Florida's Crime Victims Compensation Fund, which pays for medical and funeral expenses, and the National Compassion Fund, which pays for pain and suffering, are also available to help the victims of the Parkland shooting.{{cite news |publisher=NPR |date=April 10, 2018 |first=Greg |last=Allen |title=Fund For Victims Of Parkland Shooting Reaches $7.5 Million |access-date=April 11, 2018 |url=https://www.npr.org/2018/04/10/601268131/fund-for-victims-of-parkland-shooting-reaches-6-5-million |archive-date=April 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180411135813/https://www.npr.org/2018/04/10/601268131/fund-for-victims-of-parkland-shooting-reaches-6-5-million |url-status=live }}
In addition, victim Scott Beigel's family started a memorial fund in his name with the goal of funding summer camp tuition for students traumatized by school shootings, a passion of Beigel.{{Cite web|last=scottjbeigel|date=2016-07-31|title=Home|url=https://scottjbeigelmemorialfund.com/|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Scott J Beigel Memorial Fund|language=en-US|archive-date=November 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211110012207/https://scottjbeigelmemorialfund.com/|url-status=live}} The memorial fund is majorly involved with events, including a 5K run, and partnered with Oneida-based Camp Fiver, which also gave the fund an honorary award.{{Cite web|last=Stone|first=Carly|title=Camp Fiver honors Scott J. Beigel Memorial Fund for sponsoring camperships and ongoing support|url=https://www.oneidadispatch.com/local-news/camp-fiver-honors-scott-j-beigel-memorial-fund-for-sponsoring-camperships-and-ongoing-support/article_51e33baa-b407-11eb-884a-b3545bf87049.html|access-date=2021-06-08|website=Oneida Dispatch|language=en|archive-date=June 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608132100/https://www.oneidadispatch.com/local-news/camp-fiver-honors-scott-j-beigel-memorial-fund-for-sponsoring-camperships-and-ongoing-support/article_51e33baa-b407-11eb-884a-b3545bf87049.html|url-status=dead}}{{Cite web|last=Fox|first=Jill|date=2021-02-09|title=Virtual 'Run 4 Beigel' Raises Scholarship Funds for Late Marjory Stoneman Douglas Teacher - Parkland Talk|url=https://parklandtalk.com/virtual-run-4-beigel-10365|access-date=2021-06-08|website=parklandtalk.com|language=en-US|archive-date=June 8, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210608132059/https://parklandtalk.com/virtual-run-4-beigel-10365|url-status=live}}
= Conspiracy theories, disinformation, and harassment =
File:David Hogg at the Rally to Support Firearm Safety Legislation in Fort Lauderdale.jpg.]]
Anti-gun control conspiracy theories circulated in the wake of the shooting. The speculation included false claims that the shooting did not happen or was staged by "crisis actors".{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/crisis-actors-lie-spreads-wake-florida-shooting-170138726.html|title=The 'crisis actors' lie spreads in wake of Florida shooting|publisher=Yahoo! News|first=Christopher|last=Wilson|date=February 21, 2018|access-date=February 21, 2018|archive-date=November 9, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201109022334/https://www.yahoo.com/news/crisis-actors-lie-spreads-wake-florida-shooting-170138726.html|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first1=Travis M.|last1=Andrews|first2=Samantha|last2=Schmidt|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/21/i-am-not-a-crisis-actor-florida-teens-fire-back-at-right-wing-conspiracy-theorists/|title='I am not a crisis actor': Florida teens fire back at right-wing conspiracy theorists|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=February 21, 2018|access-date=February 22, 2018|archive-date=January 10, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210110105738/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2018/02/21/i-am-not-a-crisis-actor-florida-teens-fire-back-at-right-wing-conspiracy-theorists/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|first=Michael M.|last=Grynbaum|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/business/media/parkland-shooting-media-conspiracy.html|title=Right-Wing Media Uses Parkland Shooting as Conspiracy Fodder|work=The New York Times|date=February 20, 2018|access-date=February 22, 2018|archive-date=February 22, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180222210111/https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/20/business/media/parkland-shooting-media-conspiracy.html|url-status=live}} One such claim was made by Benjamin A. Kelly, a district secretary for Republican State Representative Shawn Harrison, who sent an email to the Tampa Bay Times falsely stating that the children in the picture were not students at the school. As a result of the backlash, Kelly was fired hours later. Former Republican congressman and CNN contributor Jack Kingston suggested student demonstrators were paid by billionaire George Soros or were supported by "members of Antifa". A video with a description espousing a conspiracy theory that student David Hogg was a "crisis actor" reached the top of YouTube's trending page before it was removed by the company.{{cite news|url=https://www.yahoo.com/news/conspiracy-theory-stoneman-douglas-student-180024851.html|title=A Conspiracy Theory About A Stoneman Douglas Student Reaches No. 1 on YouTube|publisher=Yahoo! News|first=Maxwell|last=Strachan|date=February 21, 2018|access-date=February 21, 2018|archive-date=September 3, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200903034327/https://www.yahoo.com/news/conspiracy-theory-stoneman-douglas-student-180024851.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite magazine|url=https://www.wired.com/story/youtube-will-link-directly-to-wikipedia-to-fight-conspiracies/|title=YouTube Will Link Directly to Wikipedia to Fight Conspiracy Theories|magazine=Wired|via=www.wired.com|access-date=July 31, 2019|archive-date=August 3, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190803042619/https://www.wired.com/story/youtube-will-link-directly-to-wikipedia-to-fight-conspiracies/|url-status=live}} As the shooting took place, a teacher directed Hogg and several other students to hide in a closet. Hogg, who worked on the school's TV station, then filmed student reactions to the shooting in an effort to document the event.{{cite news|last1=Prusher|first1=Ilene|title=A Student Started Filming During the Florida School Shooting. He Hasn't Stopped|url=https://time.com/5161034/florida-school-shooting-survivor/|access-date=February 21, 2018|magazine=Time|date=February 15, 2018|archive-date=April 21, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190421041942/http://time.com/5161034/florida-school-shooting-survivor/|url-status=live}}{{cite news|url=https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/17/us/david-hogg-profile-florida-shooting/index.html|title=Student journalist interviewed classmates as shooter walked Parkland school halls|last=Andone|first=Dakin|date=February 18, 2018|publisher=CNN|access-date=March 8, 2018|archive-date=March 8, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180308232503/https://www.cnn.com/2018/02/17/us/david-hogg-profile-florida-shooting/index.html|url-status=live}}
The Alliance for Securing Democracy alleged that Russia-linked accounts on Twitter and other platforms used the shooting's aftermath to inflame tensions and divide Americans by posting loaded comments that oppose gun control.{{cite news |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bots-exploit-parkland-tragedy_us_5a860acce4b05c2bcac91af0 |title=Russia-Linked Accounts Exploit Parkland Shooting on Twitter, Analysts Say |last=Papenfuss |first=Mary |date=February 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216092503/https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/bots-exploit-parkland-tragedy_us_5a860acce4b05c2bcac91af0 |archive-date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live |work=HuffPost }}{{Cite news |url=https://www.wired.com/story/pro-gun-russian-bots-flood-twitter-after-parkland-shooting/ |title=Pro-Gun Russian Bots Flood Twitter After Parkland Shooting |last=Griffith |first=Erin |date=February 15, 2018 |magazine=Wired |access-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180216234900/https://www.wired.com/story/pro-gun-russian-bots-flood-twitter-after-parkland-shooting/ |archive-date=February 16, 2018 |url-status=live }} Other Russia-linked accounts labeled the shooting a false flag operation that the U.S. government would exploit to seize guns from citizens.{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/after-the-parkland-shooting-pro-russian-bots-are-pushing-false-flag-allegations-again/2018/02/16/46c3a674-1356-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html |title=After the Parkland shooting, pro-Russian bots are pushing false-flag allegations again |last1=Applebaum |first1=Anne |newspaper=The Washington Post |access-date=February 17, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180217162222/https://www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/after-the-parkland-shooting-pro-russian-bots-are-pushing-false-flag-allegations-again/2018/02/16/46c3a674-1356-11e8-9065-e55346f6de81_story.html |archive-date=February 17, 2018 |url-status=live }} Hundreds of Russian bots were also suspected of coming to the defense of Laura Ingraham on Twitter following the boycott of her show, The Ingraham Angle, that resulted from her public ridicule of Hogg.{{cite news |url=http://www.newsweek.com/laura-ingraham-david-hogg-russian-bots-advertisering-fox-news-parkland-868547 |title=Russian Bots Defend Fox News Pundit Laura Ingraham as Advertisers Leave Following David Hogg Tweet |work=Newsweek |date=April 2, 2018 |access-date=April 7, 2018 |last=Sit |first=Ryan |archive-date=April 6, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180406140024/http://www.newsweek.com/laura-ingraham-david-hogg-russian-bots-advertisering-fox-news-parkland-868547 |url-status=live }}{{cite news |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/04/02/russian-bots-are-tweeting-their-support-of-embattled-fox-news-host-laura-ingraham/ |title=Russian bots are tweeting their support of embattled Fox News host Laura Ingraham |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=April 2, 2018 |access-date=April 7, 2018 |last=Erickson |first=Amanda |archive-date=April 7, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180407152058/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/worldviews/wp/2018/04/02/russian-bots-are-tweeting-their-support-of-embattled-fox-news-host-laura-ingraham/ |url-status=live }} The conspiracy theories about survivors like Hogg and González were named PolitiFact's 2018 Lie of the Year.{{cite news |title=PolitiFact's Lie of the Year: Online smear machine tries to take down Parkland students |first1=Angie Drobnic |last1=Holan |first2=Amy |last2=Sherman |url=https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2018/dec/11/politifacts-lie-year-parkland-student-conspiracies/ |website=PolitiFact |access-date=December 12, 2018 |date=December 11, 2018 |archive-date=December 11, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181211214354/https://www.politifact.com/truth-o-meter/article/2018/dec/11/politifacts-lie-year-parkland-student-conspiracies/ |url-status=live }}
Some of the survivors of the shooting and their relatives were targeted by online harassment that included death threats.{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 28, 2018 |first=Herman |last=Wong |title=His daughter was killed in Parkland. He's begging President Trump to protect those who survived. |access-date=February 28, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/02/28/his-daughter-was-killed-in-parkland-hes-begging-president-trump-to-protect-those-who-survived/ |archive-date=February 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180228205129/https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/politics/wp/2018/02/28/his-daughter-was-killed-in-parkland-hes-begging-president-trump-to-protect-those-who-survived/ |url-status=live }}{{cite news |newspaper=The Washington Post |date=February 21, 2018 |first1=Craig |last1=Timberg |first2=Elizabeth |last2=Dwoskin |first3=Abby |last3=Ohlheiser |first4=Andrew Ba |last4=Tran |title=How a survivor of the Florida school shooting became the victim of an online conspiracy |access-date=February 28, 2018 |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/how-a-survivor-of-the-florida-school-shooting-became-the-victim-of-an-online-conspiracy/2018/02/21/d54083a0-172e-11e8-b681-2d4d462a1921_story.html |archive-date=February 27, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180227212352/https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/technology/how-a-survivor-of-the-florida-school-shooting-became-the-victim-of-an-online-conspiracy/2018/02/21/d54083a0-172e-11e8-b681-2d4d462a1921_story.html |url-status=live }} Cameron Kasky wrote on Twitter that he was quitting Facebook for the time being, because the death threats from "NRA cultists" were slightly more graphic on a service without a character limit.{{cite news |first=Jacob |last=Shamsian |title=Florida school shooting: Teenage survivor says he's quitting Facebook because of death threats from 'NRA cultists' |date=February 23, 2018 |work=The Independent |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/florida-school-shooting-survivor-death-threats-nra-facebook-quit-a8223146.html |access-date=March 22, 2018 |archive-date=March 29, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180329004218/https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/florida-school-shooting-survivor-death-threats-nra-facebook-quit-a8223146.html |url-status=live }}
In March 2019, future Republican U.S. Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene for Georgia was filmed heckling and harassing survivor David Hogg as he was walking toward the United States Capitol.{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/27/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-david-hogg-video/index.html|title=Video surfaces of Marjorie Taylor Greene confronting Parkland shooting survivor with baseless claims|author=Paul LeBlanc|website=CNN|date=January 28, 2021|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128183944/https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/27/politics/marjorie-taylor-greene-david-hogg-video/index.html|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.huffpost.com/entry/david-hogg-comments-on-video-of-marjorie-taylor-greene-harassment-calls-her-a-bully_n_6012ed6ac5b6aa4bad32141b|title=David Hogg Responds To Resurfaced Footage Of Marjorie Taylor Greene Berating Him|first=Ja'han|last=Jones|date=January 28, 2021|website=HuffPost|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128205903/https://www.huffpost.com/entry/david-hogg-comments-on-video-of-marjorie-taylor-greene-harassment-calls-her-a-bully_n_6012ed6ac5b6aa4bad32141b|url-status=live}}{{Cite web|url=https://www.axios.com/david-hogg-marjorie-taylor-green-harassment-8fbfb81a-3745-40d3-973b-b5daca948d86.html|title=David Hogg: "I absolutely remember" Marjorie Taylor Greene harassment|first=Oriana|last=Gonzalez|website=Axios|access-date=January 28, 2021|archive-date=January 28, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210128182320/https://www.axios.com/david-hogg-marjorie-taylor-green-harassment-8fbfb81a-3745-40d3-973b-b5daca948d86.html|url-status=live|date=January 28, 2021}}
See also
{{Portal|Crime|Florida|Schools}}
- Assault weapons legislation in the United States
- Extreme Risk Protection Order
- Federal Assault Weapons Ban
- Gun politics in the United States
- List of attacks related to secondary schools
- List of disasters in the United States by death toll
- List of rampage killers (school massacres)
- List of school shootings in the United States
- 2018 Santa Fe High School shooting {{ndash}} similar school shooting in Texas in May 2018
- Northern Illinois University shooting {{ndash}} school shooting that occurred on Valentine's Day, exactly 10 years earlier
Notes
{{notelist}}
{{reflist|group=note}}
References
{{reflist}}
External links
{{Sister project links |wikt=no |s=no |b=no |v=no}}
{{GeoGroup}}
- Court TV [https://www.courttv.com/tag/parkland-school-massacre/ archive footage] pertaining to the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School shooting
- Broward County Sheriff's Office [https://www.vice.com/en/article/police-recreated-the-parkland-shooting-with-this-simple-but-horrifying-animation/ diagram] of the movements within Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School on the afternoon of the shootings, released to the public April 2018
- Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission. {{archive url|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616084927/http://www.fdle.state.fl.us/MSDHS/Home|date=June 16, 2018}}
- Contemporary [https://apnews.com/article/shootings-education-florida-fort-lauderdale-parkland-school-shooting-343ad047ce2904328a3310a0714e6274 news article] detailing Cruz's formal sentencing to life imprisonment without parole
- {{YouTube|id=aFC0HFRkeFU&t=4|title=Message from principal of Stoneman Douglas High School, Ty Thompson}} (2:11)
- {{YouTube|id=8EB5Uk5l660&t=35|title="#MSDStrong Documentary", a video produced by students at Stoneman Douglas High School after the incident}} (26:46)
- [https://media.local10.com/document_dev/2018/12/12/MSD%20Public%20Safety%20Commission%20Report_1544638529030_15538992_ver1.0.pdf Draft report of the incident from the Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School Public Safety Commission]
{{Stoneman Douglas High School shooting}}
{{School shootings in the United States}}
{{Mass shootings in the United States by deaths}}
{{Mass shootings in the United States in the 2010s}}
{{First presidency of Donald Trump}}
Category:2018 crimes in Florida
Category:2018 mass shootings in the United States
Category:2018 murders in the United States
Category:21st century in Broward County, Florida
Category:Articles containing video clips
Category:Attacks on schools in 2018
Category:Attacks on buildings and structures in Florida
Category:Child murder in Florida
Category:Deaths by firearm in Florida
Category:February 2018 crimes in the United States
Category:Filmed killings in North America
Category:Gun politics in the United States
Category:High school killings in the United States
Category:High school shootings in the United States
Category:Mass murder in Florida
Category:Mass murder in the United States in the 2010s
Category:Mass shootings in Florida
Category:Mass shootings in the United States
Category:Mass shootings involving AR-15–style rifles
Category:First presidency of Donald Trump