At least 17 Dead After Ex-Student Fires at School in Florida

Video Editor: Sandeep Suman

A former student opened fire with a semi-automatic rifle at a Florida high school on Wednesday, 14 February, killing at least 17 people and sending hundreds of students fleeing into the streets in the nation’s deadliest school shooting.

The attack began shortly before the school’s dismissal.

Students streamed out of the building with hands raised in the air, weaving their way between heavily armed, helmeted police officers, as a fire truck and other emergency vehicles idled nearby.

I just heard boom, boom, boom. I was just like what the heck was that? That can’t be anything other than a gunshot. So, I started running. I am not about to be shot. Everyone just climbed the fence. There is no room on the fence, everyone just started climbing. People were pulling me down, there were scratches on me. But I jumped the fence and ran.

Victoria Adams, student

The gunman was identified as Nikolaus Cruz, who previously attended the school and was expelled for unspecified disciplinary reasons, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said at a news briefing hours later.

I would see him last year. I would see him walk around. He used to be shy. He would have his lunch and wouldn’t talk a lot. He was like that weird kid at school that you’d see walking around in school.

Daniel Huerfano, Student

Twelve of the dead were killed inside the school, two others just outside, one more on the street and two other victims died from their wounds at a hospital. The victims comprised a mixture of students and adults.

The sheriff said at a briefing after dark that investigators had so far positively identified just 12 of the dead, including a football coach he did not name.

Authorities at two nearby hospitals said they were treating 13 survivors for bullet wounds and other injuries, five of whom were listed in critical condition.

Students hid in classrooms until they were rescued by police in tactical gear, friends and family members said.

Cruz was taken to Broward County jail.

Read the full story here.

(With inputs from Reuters)