Culture

At Least 17 People Have Died Following A Shooting At A High School In Parkland, Florida

Please see our continuing updates at the bottom of this post.

On Wednesday afternoon, the Broward Sheriff’s Office responded to what they dubbed an “active shooter” situation at Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida. There were early reports of victims, though an exact tally was not initially known. Authorities on the scene subsequently advised others to avoid the scene while footage of students, faculty, and staff evacuating the building aired on CBS News, WSVN, CNN, and multiple local and national outlets. In the most recent tweet, the Broward Sheriff’s Office noted that the unknown shooter was “still at large.”

According to WSVN, a Fox affiliate in Miami, live shots from the scene showed one apparent victim “being wheeled into a Coral Springs Fire Rescue ambulance,” though he was conscious and “on his phone.” At least four other people were seen being treated by emergency personnel who were present at the site. Even so, an exact number of the wounded has not yet been released as the scene at Stoneman Douglas High School remains an active one. Numbers as varied as three and 20 have been reported by CNN and other outlets covering the story.

CNN also reports that, per footage from WSVN and other local outlets in Parkland, “students [can be seen] streaming away from the school… while others [are walking] quickly in orderly lines with their hands on or above their heads.” What’s more, “Dozens of law enforcement vehicles are on site, including one tank, along with a team of heavily armed law enforcement officers.”


UPDATE #1 – 3:35 pm ET: CNN, via WSVN, is now reporting that at least 20 people were injured at the Stoneman Douglas High School shooting. Meanwhile, Florida Governor Rick Scott tweeted he had spoken with Sheriff Scott Israel, Superintendent Robert Runcie, and FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen about the shooting. He said his office will “continue to receive updates from law enforcement.”

UPDATE #2 – 4:05 pm ET: According to the Miami Herald, Margate Fire Chief Dan Booker “confirmed at least one fatality” along with “more than 20 injured.” However, as CNN’s Jake Tapper (and others) repeatedly noted of the Herald‘s report, neither the one fatality nor the reported number of injured could be independently confirmed at the time.

UPDATE #3 – 4:10 pm ET: MSNBC showed video of a “young male with a burgundy shirt” being put into the back of a police cruiser. This is relevant because, as the anchor notes, this was “what police said they were looking for.” However, neither MSNBC nor any of the other outlets carrying the same feed could confirm if this was the shooter.

UPDATE #4 – 4:15 pm ET: According to the Broward Sheriff’s Office, the suspected shooter “is now in custody.” Even so, the school remains an active scene.


UPDATE #5 – 4:20 pm ET: Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Florida) told CNN that the school superintendent “believes there are a number of fatalities.” However, the senator stressed that he had no other details regarding the actually tally. “I don’t think you can take it until it’s verified,” he cautioned.

UPDATE #6 – 4:30 pm ET: The Broward Sheriff’s Office confirmed that there were “at least 14 victims.” However, they did not distinguish between those who were injured in the school shooting, and rumored fatalities.

Meanwhile, Superintendent Runcie told reporters, “There are numerous fatalities. It’s a horrific situation. It’s just a horrible day for us.” When asked about whether or not there was more than one shooter, however, he said they had “no evidence at this point.”

UPDATE #7 – 5:05 pm ET: Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel told reporters the suspected shooter “was not a current student.” Meanwhile, several law enforcement sources have told CNN that there were at least two fatalities, though the authorities have not confirmed this number with the press.

UPDATE #8 – 5:30 pm ET: According to the Associated Press, the shooter has been identified as Nikolas Cruz. The Miami Herald is also reporting that Cruz, full name Nicolas de Jesus Cruz, was “a former student” of Stoneman Douglas High School. He “managed to make it off campus” after the shooting, but “was cornered and taken into custody” at a nearby location.

UPDATE #9 – 5:55 pm ET: ABC News is now reporting that at least 15 people are dead as a result of Wednesday’s mass shooting in Parkland, Florida. According to the new report, a law enforcement officials confirmed the number with the news outlet on the scene. As of this writing, no other news outlets have confirmed ABC’s number,

As this is a developing story, we will update this post whenever new information becomes available.

(Via CBS News, WSVN and CNN)