Local police confirmed a shooter claimed 17 casualties Wednesday afternoon at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida, Sputnik International reports.
"This is catastrophic. There really are no words," county Sheriff Scott Israel said. The Parkland shooting resulted in the more deaths than the Columbine High School massacre, which led to 15 deaths in total, including the two perpetrators. Both students and adults died during the attack, the sheriff's office said Wednesday.
A shooter ravaged the community of Parkland, Florida, Wednesday afternoon in what marks yet another development in the disturbing, decades-long gun violence issue on school campuses.
One dozen victims were killed inside the building, two were killed outside the building and one at a street near the school. Two of the victims died of their wounds at the hospital. The shooter, Nikolaus Cruz, is believed to have brandished at least one AR-15 assault rifle.
02:49 (GMT+4) A suspected shooter is in custody and as many as 7 people are dead in a shooting at a Parkland high school.
BSO confirmed the suspected shooter has been taken into custody and at least 14 people have been injured in the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School. Sources told CBS4’s Jim DeFede that as many as 7 people are dead.
A senior official said the shooter, a former student, used a rifle but may have also had a handgun.
“From what I understand, there was a time where he did attend the school. I don’t know why he left,” said Broward Sheriff’s Deputy Scott Israel while giving an update Wednesday evening.
01:44 (GMT+4) Police said there are at least 14 victims and "many deaths," according to Sen. Bill Nelson, in a shooting Wednesday at a high school in Parkland, Florida, as local media reported a student was considered a person of interest.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School is under lockdown and police are on the scene after reports of shots fired and potential victims, officials said Wednesday.
Police said the shooting suspect was in custody. The individual was said to be wearing a maroon shirt and escorted to the police car, according to WSVN. Video captured of the arrest appears to show officers cuffing the suspect in the grass.
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said the alleged shooter was taken into custody "without incident" and was "not a current student" at the school.