Florida shooting: 17 dead in 'absolutely pure evil' high school massacre in Parkland - as it happened
The suspect has been identified as 19-year-old former student, who was once expelled from the school
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Seventeen people have been killed and more than a dozen injured after a gunman opened fire at a Florida high school.
Aerial footage showed students streaming out of the school with their hands in the air before dropping their backpacks into a large pile next to police and sitting on nearby grass. Parents were instructed to meet at a location away from the school, where they waited anxiously to be reunited with their children.
The carnage began shortly before school was to be let out at 2.40 pm, when the sound of gunfire ripped through the air.
Follow the live blog below, please give it a few seconds to load. If you cannot see it, click here.
Sheriff Scott Israel of Broward County said the 19-year-old suspect - identified in media reports as Nikolaus Cruz - is in custody and that investigators are beginning to "dissect" what happened in the attack.
Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, about 45 miles (72 km) north of Miami, was placed on a “code red” lock down, and students tweeted and texted from inside about the chaos that had come down upon their school.
Of the fatalities, 12 were killed inside the school, two were killed outside on the campus grounds, one was killed on a road outside of the school, and another two were transported to the hospital but died there.
Sheriff Israel said the suspect, a former student, was previously expelled for disciplinary reasons. Mr Israel added that the gunman had at least one rifle - believed to be an AR-15 - and multiple magazines.
The White House has cancelled its daily press briefing and President Donald Trump has spoken with Florida Governors Rick Scott about the shooting. He said in a tweet that the White House is “working closely with law enforcement on the terrible Florida school shooting.”
He earlier tweeted his condolences to the families of the victims.
Spokeswoman Sarah Huckabee Sanders said Mr Trump has offered Florida federal assistance, if needed. The homeland security secretary has also been in touch with state and local officials.
Ms Sanders said, “We continue to keep the victims, and their friends and family, in our thoughts and prayers.”
Agencies contributed to this report
Welcome to our coverage of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Florida.
Here is our latest report:
The local Sheriff's Office says that the shooter is now in custody, but scene is still active as police make sure there are no other shooters.
The Superintendent of Broward County Public Schools says there have been "numerous" fatalities. He did not confirm exact numbers.
"There are numerous fatalities. It is a horrific situation," Superintendent Robert Runcie said. "It is a horrible day for us."
The Broward Sheriff's Office has reported least 14 victims so far. Victims are being taken to Broward Health Medical Center and Broward Health North hospital for treatment.
First Lady Melania Trump has tweeted about the shooting, saying her "heart is heavy". Donald Trump tweeted his condolences earlier, adding that "No child, teacher or anyone else should feel unsafe in an American school".
Students have been released from the high school and are being escorted out to reunite with their families, according to the school district.
Students reportedly hid in classrooms until they were rescued by police in tactical gear, friends and family members said.
According to the Associated Press, one student texted his parents during the shooting, writing: "Mom and Dad, there have been shots fired on campus at school. There are police sirens outside. I'm in the auditorium and the doors are locked."
Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel says the shooter was approximately 18 years old, but was not a current student at the school.
"It's catastrophic. There really are no words," the sheriff said.
Democratic Senator Chris Murphy, a prominent advocate for gun control, has spoken out about the shooting on the Senate floor.
"This happens nowhere else other than the United States of America – this epidemic of mass slaughter, this scourge of school shooting after school shooting," Mr Murphy said. "It only happens here not because of coincidence, not because of bad luck, but as a consequence of our inaction. We are responsible."
The senator represents the area where the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting took place in 2012.
Sheriff Scott Israel says the suspect was apprehended off campus, and may have been a former student.
Mr Israel told CNN that he had spoken to Mr Trump, who offered the resources of the federal government.
Some photos of the suspect being arrested are available now, from Reuters:
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments