“At Least 14 Victims” In Florida High School Shooting; Gunman In Custody – Update
February 14, 2018
“At Least 14 Victims” In Florida High School Shooting; Gunman In Custody – Update
Updated with additional details: Robert Runcie, Superintendent Broward County Public Schools, is holding a presser to inform there have been “numerous fatalities” in the school shooting that began around 2:30 PM ET – 11:30 PM PT.
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Broward Sheriff’s office tweeted at least 14 victims, meaning dead and injured:
So far we have at least 14 victims. Victims have been and continue to be transported to Broward Health Medical Center and Broward Health North hospital. #StonemanShooting
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 14, 2018
About one hour after the shooting broke out, the sheriff’s office tweeted the gunman was in custody but scene remains active:
Shooter is now in custody. Scene is still active. #stonemanshooting
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 14, 2018
White House canceled its press briefing:
From Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders:
The President has spoken with Governor Scott of Florida and offered federal assistance if needed. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Nielsen also spoke with Governor Scott as well as state and local officials. She has briefed the President on those conversations. The Governor, the Secretary, and other Administration officials will continue to keep the President updated.
In light of this tragedy there will not be a regularly scheduled briefing as previously announced. We will inform you as more information is available.
We continue to keep the victims, and their friends and family, in our thoughts and prayers.
President Trump tweeted:
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.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2018
Just spoke to Governor Rick Scott. We are working closely with law enforcement on the terrible Florida school shooting.
— Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) February 14, 2018
TV news outlets abruptly dropped Washington-centric coverage when a shooter attacked students and staff at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida on Wednesday afternoon. Quick word of at least 20 shot in the school or on the campus triggered TV news pundit talk of Columbine High School massacre of 1999 in which 12 students and one teacher were murdered, and another 24 injured, by two heavily armed students who then committed suicide.
Cable news networks showed helicopter footage of ambulances swarming the area, victims being tended to on sidewalks, and a SWAT team heading with weapons drawn toward the high school attended by about 3K students. Dozens of teens could be seen running or walking from the building, some with hands raised over their heads to signal they did not have a weapon.
More than an hour after first reports of the shooting, local sheriff tweeted to warning the gunman, who had shot into the school from outside the building, still was at large:
Follow @browardsheriff for latest info on the #stonemanshooting. Shooter still at large.
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 14, 2018
Multiple students interviewed on CNN said students began running out of the building after someone pulled a fire alarm in the school about 10 minutes before end of school day; one reported they were told over the school’s intercom system to evacuate the building. As they exited, shots were heard, students told the network affiliate’s reporter.
One distraught mother marveled the network the city had just been named safest place to live in Florida.
White House said President Donald Trump had been alerted:
From Deputy Press Secretary Lindsay Walters:
The President has been made aware of the school shooting in Florida. We are monitoring the situation. Our thoughts and prayers are with those affected.
Developing story………