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At least 17 dead in South Florida high school shooting

Posted at 6:40 PM, Feb 14, 2018
and last updated 2018-02-14 19:56:25-05

PARKLAND, FL (WTXL) - A reported school shooting with injuries at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, FL, sent students and faculty evacuating school premises Wednesday. 

A school official told the Associated Press there are numerous fatalities from the high school shooting in South Florida. 

The Broward County Sheriff's Office says that 17 people have lost their lives. Doctors tell AP that 16 people wounded in a deadly shooting at a Florida high school are being treated at area hospitals.

ABC News reports that the suspect, 19-year-old Nicolas Cruz, was a former student at the high school.

Broward County Superintendent Robert Runcie told AP "There are numerous fatalities. It is a horrific situation." He added, "It is a horrible day for us."

Multiple people can be seen on TV footage being taken to ambulances.

The shooter has been taken into custody, according the Broward County Sheriff's Office. Sheriff Israel says, "the shooter was not a current student." 

ABC News reports the suspect got out of the school after the shooting by blending in with other students who were trying to escape.

Local media reports say multiple people are injured, some reporting up to 20. So far, BCSO says that 14 have been injured.

Parkland is located northwest of Fort Lauderdale.

Police are evacuating students, were seen leaving the school with their hands up.

There are still a number of students still inside, according to reports.

The FBI has also gotten involved. 

Florida Gov. Rick Scott said in a tweet that he is aware of the situation.

“I’ve spoken with Broward Sheriff Scott Israel, Broward Schools Superintendent Robert Runcie and FDLE Commissioner Rick Swearingen regarding Stoneman Douglas High School,” Scott said. “We’ll continue to receive updates from law enforcement.”

The last reported shooting at a middle or high school in the U.S. was only a few weeks ago, on Feb. 1, at the Salvador B. Castro Middle School in downtown Los Angeles, according to the Associated Press. 

A 12-year-old girl was arrested on charges of negligent discharge of a firearm on school grounds after a gun she’d brought to school went off, injuring four students.

The public high school has an enrollment of 3,158 students, and serves grades ninth through 12th.

WATCH LIVE FEED OF THE ACTIVE SITUATION BELOW:

Gov. Rick Scott's office issued this statement:

"Governor Scott is traveling to Broward County now to be briefed by emergency management officials and law enforcement. Immediately upon learning of the shooting at Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School, Governor Scott spoke with President Trump, law enforcement, school officials and the Department of Homeland Security. The Governor will continue to be briefed by law enforcement as this incident evolves. Additional details regarding the Governor’s schedule will be made available later today."