FBI admits it failed to investigate tip on school shooter

PARKLAND, Fla. — The FBI says it failed to investigate a specific report in January that Nikolas Cruz could be plotting a school shooting.

The agency said Friday that the tip should've been investigated thoroughly because it was a potential threat to life. Cruz has been arrested and charged with killing 17 people at a high school earlier this week.

On Jan. 5, a tipster who was close to Cruz called the FBI and provided information about Cruz's guns, desire to kill people, erratic behavior and disturbing social media posts. The FBI says the caller expressed concerns Cruz could attack a school.

RELATED STORIES:

• School shooting: Football coach shot while protecting students hailed as hero
• There have already been 18 school shootings in the US this year
• What to do if you're in an 'active shooter' situation
• How to talk to your child about a traumatic event like a mass shooting

The FBI was also notified about a comment on a YouTube video posted by a "Nikolas Cruz" last year. It investigated the comment but did not determine who made it.

Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.

Cox Media Group