The Broward Sheriff’s Office said that the shooter who left 14 people injured at a Florida high school is now in custody
Gunfire appeared to break out at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Fla., just before noon.
“It’s catastrophic. There really are no words,” said Sheriff Scott Israel.
Earlier, the sheriff had said that police were responding to the scene and that there were “reports of victims.”
The shooter is “not a current student,” the sheriff tweeted.
The Broward School district said that “students and staff heard what sounded like gunfire” just before classes were dismissed.
When reports of a shooter first came in, SWAT team members swarmed in and locked down the building.
Ambulances converged on the scene as emergency workers appeared to be treating possibly wounded people on the sidewalks.
Television footage showed police in olive fatigues, with weapons drawn, entering the school, then dozens of children frantically running and walking quickly out.
Some students exited the building in single-file rows with hands raised overhead to show they carried no weapons. Others held onto other students as they made their way out past helmeted police in camouflage with weapons drawn.
Today, close to Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School’s dismissal, students and staff heard what sounded like gunfire. The school immediately went on lockdown but is now dismissing students. We are receiving reports of possible multiple injuries. Law enforcement is on site.
— Broward Schools (@browardschools) February 14, 2018
“We are receiving reports of possible multiple injuries. Law enforcement is on site,” the district tweeted.
Students have tweeted images from the scene, showing a lockdown that has them hiding under desks.
“My school is being shot up and I am locked inside. I’m f***g scared right now,” tweeted one.
I am in a school shooting right now…
— Aj22000 (@TheCaptainAidan) February 14, 2018
Hello, Twitter. I am closing my DM’s but I appreciate everyone contacting me. I am still locked in the school, but remember I’m only a freshman. Please don’t just send your love to me, but pray for the victims’ families too. Love you all.
— Aj22000 (@TheCaptainAidan) February 14, 2018
Florida Governor Rick Scott and Sen. Marco Rubio both tweeted that they had been briefed on the situation, with Scott noting that he had spoken to President Donald Trump.
We are monitoring the horrible unfolding situation in Broward County, Florida with reports of a shooting at a local high school. #Sayfie
— Marco Rubio (@marcorubio) February 14, 2018
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
NYPD Chief of Counterterrorism James Water said the the unit is monitoring the situation.
The nearby Coral Springs Police Department asked parents to not call 911 to report the incident and if contacting their children inside the school, to ask them to remain calm.
#BSO is working a developing incident regarding a report of active shooter located at 5901 Pine Island Rd, Parkland. Here's what we know so far: deputies are responding to reports of a shooting at Stoneman Douglas High. There are reports of victims. PIO will be on scene 3:15pm.
— Broward Sheriff (@browardsheriff) February 14, 2018
More to come.
