Global InformationParkland high school shooting information
| Parkland high school shooting | |
|---|---|
 Nikolas Cruz on the second floor | |
  Parkland Parkland (Florida)  Parkland Parkland (the United States) | |
| Location | Parkland, Florida, U.S. |
| Coordinates |
|
| Date | February 14, 2018 2:21 – 2:27 p.m. (EST) |
| Target | Students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School |
Attack type | School shooting, mass murder, mass shooting |
| Weapons | Smith & Wesson M&P15 Sport II semi-automatic rifle |
| Deaths | 17 |
| Injured | 17 |
| Perpetrator | Nikolas Jacob Cruz |
| Verdict |
|
| Convictions | 17 counts of premeditated first-degree murder, 17 counts of attempted first-degree murder |
| Sentence | 34 consecutive life sentences without the possibility of parole |
| Litigation | Two lawsuits by families of victims settled
|
On February 14, 2018, 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz opened fire on students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in the Miami suburban town of Parkland, Florida, United States, killing 17 people[note 2] and injuring 17 others.[2][3][4] 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.[5] Police and prosecutors investigated "a pattern of disciplinary issues and unnerving behavior".[6]
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 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.[7][8]
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.[9] This led to the resignations of several police officers who responded to the scene, and the removal of Sheriff Scott Israel.[9] 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.[9][10]
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.[11] After suffering numerous delays, in part due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the trial commenced on July 18, 2022.[12][13] 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.[14] 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.[15][16] 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.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
MiamiHerald.Slaughterhousewas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Laughland, Oliver; Luscombe, Richard; Yuhas, Alan (February 15, 2018). "Florida school shooting: at least 17 people dead on 'horrific, horrific day'". The Guardian. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ^ Earl, Jennifer (February 14, 2018). "Florida school shooting among 10 deadliest in modern US history". Fox News Channel. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ^ Fleshler, David; Hobbs, Stephen; Huriash, Lisa J.; Trischitta, Linda (March 2, 2018). "Captain in Parkland school shooting was brought onto force by Sheriff Israel". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 7, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2018.
- ^ Detman, Gary (February 15, 2018). "Gunman went to Walmart and McDonald's after school shooting: Sheriff". West Palm Beach, Florida: WPEC. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ Rozsa, Lori; Berman, Mark; Barrett, Devlin (February 15, 2018). "'A day of mourning': Florida school shooting suspect denied bond, charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on February 15, 2018. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
- ^ Cite error: The named reference
Billwas invoked but never defined (see the help page). - ^ Sanchez, Ray; Yan, Holly (March 9, 2018). "Florida Gov. Rick Scott signs gun bill". CNN. Archived from the original on March 9, 2018. Retrieved March 10, 2018.
- ^ a b c Li, David K. (January 11, 2019). "Sheriff Scott Israel removed from office after criticism of Parkland school shooting response". NBC News. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ Fleshler, David (December 13, 2018). "Broward Sheriff's sergeant called 'an absolute, total failure' as Parkland shooting panel slams agency". Sun-Sentinel. Archived from the original on March 27, 2019. Retrieved March 26, 2019.
- ^ SPENCER, TERRY (October 20, 2021). "Nikolas Cruz pleads guilty to 2018 Parkland school massacre". AP NEWS. Archived from the original on November 9, 2021. Retrieved October 20, 2021.
- ^ Spencer, Terry (July 18, 2022). "Prosecutor recalls coldness, cruelty of Parkland gunman". Associated Press. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ Spencer, Terry (June 28, 2022). "Jury is chosen to decide Florida school shooter's sentence". Associated Press. Retrieved July 20, 2022.
- ^ Wamsley, Laurel (October 13, 2022). "A jury recommends life in prison for Parkland shooter Nikolas Cruz". NPR. Retrieved October 13, 2022.
- ^ "Parkland school killer formally sentenced to life in prison". AP NEWS. Retrieved November 2, 2022.
- ^ "Florida high school mass shooter sentenced to life in prison". The Straits Times. Singapore. November 3, 2022. Retrieved November 3, 2022.
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