Community mourns loss of 17 killed in Florida school shooting

PARKLAND, Fla. — The Broward County Sheriff says at least 17 people are dead in a shooting at a South Florida high school.

The shooting happened at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Broward County on Wednesday afternoon. At least 14 victims have been taken to a nearby hospital.

We will continue to follow this story out of South Florida on wsbtv.com and Channel 2 Action News at Noon. 

The suspect has been identified as Nikolas Cruz,19. Channel 2 Action News has learned he was not a current student and was taken into custody without incident off campus.

Broward County School Superintendent Robert Runcie told ABC News the shooting occurred during dismissal time and it is believed that the suspect acted alone.

Video from the scene shows dozens of law enforcement officers with their guns drawn outside the school and students running from the school.

7 a.m. Mugshot shows 19-year-old Nikolas Cruz, who has been charged with 17 counts of premeditated murder in deadly Florida school shooting.

6:30 a.m.

19-year-old suspect in a deadly shooting at Florida high school booked into jail after being questioned for hours by state and federal authorities.

12:34 a.m.  

The football coach who was shot while protecting students has died, according to the school's football team.

9:00 p.m.

During a news briefing, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel said 12 of the 17 victims have been identified. One of the victims was the school football coach.

Florida Attorney General Pam Bondi said the state will pay for their funeral expenses.

We also learned a deputy sheriff's son was shot on Wednesday evening.

8:35 p.m.

ABC News releasing video showing a SWAT team entering a classroom.

7:07 p.m.

South Florida hospital officials say three people are in critical condition.

6:31 p.m.

During a news conference, Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel says 17 people died in the school shooting. Israel says the gunman used one AR 15 and had countless magazines with him. The sheriff said the gunman, a former student, had been expelled for disciplinary issues but did not specify when.

Twelve people died inside the school, two died outside and another person died on the street around the corner. Another two people died at the hospital.

5:52 p.m.

ABC News confirms at least 15 people have been killed.

5:42 p.m.

ABC News says suspect got out of the school after the shooting by blending in with other students who were trying to escape, according to law enforcement sources and eyewitness.

5:39 p.m.

Superintendent Robert Runcie tweets "Today, we are experiencing the worst of humanity."

5:28 p.m.

Vice President Mike Pence tweets he and President Trump will continue to monitor the situation in Florida.

5:27 p.m.

Associated Press says a U.S. official has identified the shooter as Nicolas Cruz, 18. Sheriff says the student is not a current student and was arrested without incident off campus.

5:18 p.m.

Florida Governor Rick Scott says he is on his way to briefed about the school shooting in Broward County.

4:59 p.m.

Broward County Sheriff Scott Israel delivers a news conference calls it a catastrophic day. He says there are multiple casualties, 14 people transported to area hospitals. Israel calls this a "fluid scene with multiple SWAT teams on scene."

4:47 p.m.

A classmate tells George Stephanopoulus the shooter posted photos of weapons on Instagram.

4:45 p.m

Broward County Sheriff's Office tells parents to go to the parent staging area until everything is clear.

4:43 p.m.

Atlanta Public Schools tweets its hearts are with Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

4:36 p.m.

A witness said the shooting happened around 2:30 Wednesday afternoon.

4:35 p.m.

Georgia Lieutenant Governor offers his thoughts and prayers to those affected by the Florida high school shooting.

4:30 p.m.

Florida Senator Marco Rubio tweets he spoke to superintendent. Calls today, "that terrible day you pray never comes."

4:23 p.m.

Broward County Sheriff's office tweets at least 14 victims in the Florida high school shooting.

4:20 p.m.

Video shows law enforcement evacuating students from the auditorium of the school.

4:18 p.m.

Broward County School Superintendent Robert Runcie told ABC News the shooting occurred during dismissal time. The Superintendent says the gunman is a former student and it is believed the shooter acted alone. “It’s a day that you pray every day when you get up that you’ll never have to see,” he said.

4:15 p.m.

Broward Schools tweets law enforcement officers are evacuating students and faculty from the school one building at a time.

4:14 p.m.

Broward County Sheriff's Office tweets the shooter is now in custody, stresses the scene is still active.

4:13 p.m. 

Sen. Chris Murphy addresses Florida school shooting on Senate floor.

4:10 p.m.

Sources tell Channel 2 Action News at least 5 people killed in Florida high school shooting, suspect in custody.

4:02 p.m.

Live video on ABC News show police taking person into custody near Florida high school where shooting happened.

RAW VIDEO: Police take person into custody following Florida high school shooting Police take person into custody following Florida high school shooting

3:57 p.m.

Photos taken from inside the school show students seeking shelter during the shooting.

3:55 p.m.
President Trump tweets again saying he has spoke with Florida Governor Rick Scott about the incident. A source tells ABC News the First Lady has extended her thoughts and prayers to the victims.

3:50 p.m.

President Donald Trump tweets offering his prayers and condolences to the families of the victims. Says "No child, teacher or anyone else should ever feel unsafe in an American school."

3:42 p.m.

ABC News reports early indication is that 20 people have been injured. This is an active breaking news story. This amount could change.

3:41 p.m.

Florida Senator Bill Nelson tweets he has spoken with Broward Undersheriff to ensure they have everything they need.

3:40 p.m.

When ABC News' George Stephanopoulus asked an eyewitness to the shooting how many shots he heard, he said, "too many to count."

3:29 p.m.
A parent told ABC News her daughter is locked in the auditorium with other students. Another mother told ABC News her daughter texted her from inside the school to stay away from the school.

3:26 p.m.

Sources tell ABC News President Donald Trump has been briefed about the school shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School.

3:25 p.m.

A student who says he was inside the school told ABC News during the Special Report that he "saw bodies" outside a classroom as he evacuated the school.

3:20 p.m.

Authorities say the shooter remains at large.

3:15 p.m.

Authorities said the school is locked down and that students and teachers inside should remain barricaded until police reach them.

3:10 p.m.

Florida Gov. Rick Scott says he's monitoring the situation at the school.

3:00 p.m.

Authorities are at the scene of a shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

2:55 p.m.

Coral Springs Police tweeted that teachers and students should barricade themselves inside “until police reach you.”

12:29 p.m
Coral Springs Police tweets that it is working an active shooter scene. The department asks people to remain calm and not to call 911 or non-emergency numbers unless it's an emergency.

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